Intraarticular morphine, bupivacaine, and morphine/bupivacaine for pain control after knee videoarthroscopy.

Evidence has accumulated that opioids can produce potent antinociceptive effects by interacting with opioid receptors in peripheral tissues. This study sought to compare the effects of morphine with those of bupivacaine administered intraarticularly upon pain following arthroscopic knee surgery. In a double-blind, randomized manner, 33 patients received either morphine (1 mg in 20 ml NaCl; n = 11), bupivacaine (20 ml, 0.25%; n = 11), or a combination of the two (n = 11) intraarticularly at the completion of surgery. After 1, 2, 3, and 4 h and at the end of the 1st and 2nd postoperative days, pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale, and supplemental analgesic requirements were recorded. Pain scores were significantly greater in the morphine group than in the other two groups at 1 h. There were no significant differences at 2 and 3 h. From 4 h until the end of the study period, pain scores were significantly greater in the bupivacaine group than in the other two groups. Analgesic requirements were significantly greater in the morphine group than in the other groups at 1 h but were significantly greater in the bupivacaine group than in the other groups throughout the remainder of the study period. We conclude that intraarticular morphine produces an analgesic effect of delayed onset but of remarkably long duration. The combination of these two drugs results in satisfactory analgesia throughout the entire observation period.     

Preoperative intra-articular morphine and bupivacaine for pain control after outpatient arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether intra-articular injection of bupivacaine, morphine, or a combination prior to surgery provided pain control after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: These data were collected as a two-stage prospective, randomized, blinded observer study. All patients received a standard general anesthetic, which included an intra-articular injection 20 minutes prior to incision. In phase I, three solutions were assigned randomly in a 60-mL volume. Group 1 was saline, group 2 was 0.25% bupivacaine, and group 3 was 0.25% bupivacaine with 1 mg morphine sulfate (MS). Phase II was identical to phase I in technique and had four groups. Group 1 was 0.25% bupivacaine, group 2 was 1 mg MS in saline, group 3 was 0.25% bupivacaine with 1 mg MS, and group 4 was 0.25% bupivacaine with 3 mg MS. All groups in phases I and II contained 1:200,000 epinephrine, freshly added. Pain scores were evaluated at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 240 minutes postoperative using a visual analog scale. For pain scores of 5 or greater, 50 microg fentanyl was administered at 5-minute intervals until pain was controlled. After transition from phase I to phase II of the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), hydrocodone/acetaminophen tablets were used. RESULTS: Thirty patients were entered into phase I of the study. Both treatment groups (2 and 3) had significant (P < .05) pain reduction on arrival to the PACU. Group 3 had significantly (P < .05) reduced need for fentanyl during the PACU stay. Forty-nine patients entered phase II of the study. In phase II, group 3 had the lowest pain scores on arrival to the PACU. At 120 and 240 minutes, pain scores were lower in groups 3 and 4. Fentanyl and hydrocodone uses were significantly lower during the PACU stay in groups 3 and 4. CONCLUSIONS: Presurgical injection of a solution of 0.25 % bupivacaine, morphine, and epinephrine provided pain control and decreased opioid use in the PACU. Increasing the morphine dose did not improve the clinical result.     

Postoperative laminectomy pain control using bupivacaine and epidural morphine

In a prospective double blind study, 26 patients were evaluated for postoperative pain relief with use of epidural morphine. The variable in this study was the addition of paravertebral bupivacaine used in 14 patients. The addition of the bupivacaine did not have a statistically significant effect on lowering the analgesic requirement during the first 36 hours after surgery, the total dose of medication required during hospitalization, nor the time to the onset of supplemental pain medicine requirement. There were no problems with late respiratory depression. We conclude that the addition of paravertebral bupivacaine is not effective in decreasing the amount of pain medication that is required in lumbar laminectomy patients and adds very little to patients already receiving epidural narcotics.     

The effect of intra-articular instillation of bupivacaine on postarthroscopic morbidity: A placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

Forty patients undergoing diagnostic arthroscopy of the knee were included in a randomized double-blind study to investigate the effect of bupivacaine on postarthroscopic morbidity. The arthroscopies were performed under local anesthesia using 1% lidocaine with adrenaline. At the conclusion of the arthroscopic examination, 10 ml 0.5% bupivacaine with adrenaline or 10 ml placebo was instilled and left in the joint cavity. The two groups of patients were compared with regard to postarthroscopic duration of the anesthesia, degree of postarthroscopic pain, number of analgesic tablets taken, need for crutches or other walking aids, and days away from work. There was no difference between the patients receiving bupivacaine and patients receiving placebo for any of the parameters investigated.     

Combined intra-articular glucocorticoid, bupivacaine and morphine reduces pain and convalescence after diagnostic knee arthroscopy

We studied the effect of intra-articular saline vs. bupivacaine + morphine or bupivacaine + morphine + methylprednisolone after diagnostic knee arthroscopy. In a double-blind randomized study, 60 patients undergoing diagnostic knee arthroscopy without a therapeutic procedure were allocated to groups receiving intra-articular saline, intra-articular bupivacaine 150 mg + morphine 4 mg or the same dose of bupivacaine + morphine + intra-articular methylprednisolone 40 mg at the end of arthroscopy during general anesthesia. All patients were instructed to resume normal activities immediately after the procedure. Pain during movement and walking, leg muscle force and joint effusion, use of crutches and duration of sick leave were assessed. A combination of bupivacaine and morphine reduced pain, duration of immobilization and of convalescence. The addition of methylprednisolone further reduced pain, use of more analgesics, joint swelling and convalescence.     

Combined intra-articular glucocorticoid,bupivacaine and morphine reduces pain and convalescence after diagnostic knee arthroscopy

We studied the effect of intra-articullar saline vs. bupivacaine + morphine or bupivacaine morphine + methylprednisolone after diagnostic knee arthroscopy. In a double-blind randomized study, 60 patients undergoing diagnostic knee arthroscopy without a therapeutic procedure were allocated to groups receiving intra-articular saline, intra-articular bupivacaine 150 mg + morphine 4 mg or the same dose of bupivacaine + morphine + intra-articular methylprednisolone 40 mg at the end of arthroscopy during general anesthesia. All patients were instructed to resume normal activities immediately after the procedure. Pain during movement and walking, leg muscle force and joint effusion, use of crutches and duration of sick leave were assessed. A combination of bupivacaine and morphine reduced pain, duration of immobilization and of convalescence. The addition of methylprednisolone further reduced pain, use of more analgesics, joint swelling and convalescence.     

Subacromial and intra-articular morphine versus bupivacaine after shoulder arthroscopy

Purpose: Multiple studies have compared the effects of intra-articular bupivacaine and morphine for postoperative pain control after arthroscopy of the knee. To date, these agents have not been compared in the shoulder. The purpose of this study was to compare intra-articular (IA)/subacromial (SA) morphine, bupivacaine, and placebo after shoulder arthroscopy. Type of Study: Prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Methods: The effectiveness of each drug was measured by comparing the amount of supplemental analgesics required as well as the evaluation of each patient’s level of pain after surgery. A visual analog scale was used to record each patient’s level of pain before surgery and at various time intervals after surgery. The amount of supplemental analgesic was likewise recorded for 24 hours after surgery. Sixty-four patients were randomized into 3 groups and injected with morphine (n = 22), bupivacaine (n = 22), or saline (n = 20) at the conclusion of shoulder arthroscopy. The injection was directed intra-articular as well as subacromial if surgical dissection had been performed in this area. Statistical significance was determined at P <.05. Results: There were no differences between groups before surgery. A statistically significant difference in pain level at 30 and 60 minutes was found. At 30 and 60 minutes, patients who were administered IA/SA bupivacaine reported average pain levels less than those administered morphine or saline. Morphine was not statistically different from saline at reducing postarthroscopy pain at any time interval. Despite differences in pain level, there were no significant differences in the amount of supplemental analgesics requested at any time interval among these 3 groups. Conclusions: IA/SA morphine does not contribute to postoperative pain control after shoulder arthroscopy, whereas IA/SA bupivacaine improves pain control during the first 60 minutes after surgery.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 18, No 5 (May-June), 2002: pp 464–468     

Effects of epidural bupivacaine and epidural morphine on bowel function and pain after hysterectomy

A comparison was made of the effects of continuous epidural analgesia with bupivacaine and intermittent epidural morphine on bowel function after abdominal hysterectomy. The duration of postoperative ileus was assessed as the time from the end of operation to the first postoperative passage of flatus and feces. Twenty-two patients were randomly allocated to two equal groups. An "epidural morphine" group received general anesthesia and epidural morphine for postoperative pain relief, and an "epidural bupivacaine" group was given combined general anesthesia and epidural anesthesia with 0.5% bupivacaine intraoperatively and epidural analgesia with 0.25% bupivacaine postoperatively. Epidural morphine or bupivacaine was given for 42 h postoperatively. Pain intensity (visual analog scale) was low in both groups, but lower (P less than 0.05) in the epidural bupivacaine group. The time to first passage of flatus was 22 +/- 16 h in the epidural bupivacaine group and 56 +/- 22 h in the epidural morphine group (P less than 0.001). The time to first postoperative passage of feces was shorter (P less than 0.05) in the former than in the latter 57 +/- 44 h vs 92 +/- 22 h). The patients of the epidural bupivacaine group started intake of oral fluids earlier (P less than 0.01) and to a greater extent (P less than 0.05) than those in the epidural morphine group. It is concluded that the duration of postoperative ileus after hysterectomy is shorter when epidural bupivacaine is given for postoperative pain relief than when this is achieved by epidural morphine.     

Comparison of intra-articular fentanyl and intra-articular bupivacaine for post-operative pain relief after knee arthroscopy

A randomized double-blinded study consisting of 107 patients was conducted to compare the effect on post-operative pain relief of intra-articular fentanyl and intra-articular bupivacaine after knee arthroscopy. The results showed that intra-articular bupivacaine produced superior analgesia in the immediate post-operative period. At 2 h post-operatively, the intra-articular bupivacaine group had a mean pain score of 2.0 (standard deviation 2.1, P < 0.05) compared with the intra-articular fentanyl group which had a mean pain score of 3.2 (standard deviation 2.3, P < 0.05). After 2 h post-operatively, intra-articular bupivacaine and intra-articular fentanyl had a similar effect on pain scores. The mean pain score 18 h post-operatively was 2.7 for the intra-articular bupivacaine group (standard deviation 2.2, P value 0.6) compared with the intra-articular fentanyl group which had a mean pain score of 2.8 (standard deviation 1.9, P value 0.6).     

Comparison of continuous epidural infusion of morphine/bupivacaine with fentanyl/ bupivacaine for postoperative pain relief

The efficacy and safety of postoperative analgesia with continuous epidural infusion of either morphine or fentanyl in combination with bupivacaine were evaluated in 85 patients, ASA physical status I or II, undergoing thoracic and/or upper abdominal surgery. Patients were treated with one of the combinations for 48 h after surgery. The morphine/bupivacaine group (MB; n = 45) received morphine at the rate of 0.2 mg h^-1, and bupivacaine at the rate of 10 mg h^-1 for the first 24 h or 5 mg h^-1 for the second 24 h; the fentanyl/bupivacaine group (FB; n = 40) received fentanyl at the rate of 20 μg–h^-1, and bupivacaine at the rate of 10 mg h^-1 for the first 24 h or 5 mg h^-1 for the second 24 h. The degree of pain relief assessed by the visual pain scale and the modified Prince Henry pain scale was satisfactory in most patients in both groups. In group MB 74% and in group FB 76% of patients did not need any supplementary analgesics. No significant differences were observed between the groups in assessment of pain. The incidence of hypotension ( P < 0.05) and pruritus ( P < 0.05) was higher in group MB than in group FB. None of the patients developed respiratory depression in either group.     

Effective postoperative pain prevention through administration of bupivacaine and diclofenac.

The efficacies of bupivacaine and lidocaine together with a preoperatively administered single-dose oral combination of normal- and sustained-release preparations of diclofenac in preventing postoperative pain after third molar removal were compared in a double-blind crossover study. Bilaterally impacted lower third molars were removed in two sessions. Each patient was given one type of local anesthetic on one session and the other in the second. Pain was recorded using a visual analog scale. When the diclofenac combination (150 mg) was given before the operation, postoperative analgesia was better with bupivacaine plus diclofenac than with lidocaine plus diclofenac. Twenty-five out of 40 patients preferred bupivacaine to lidocaine for local anesthesia. It is possible to achieve effective postoperative pain prevention by combining bupivacaine and preoperative normal- and sustained-release preparations of diclofenac.     

A comparison of intra-articular magnesium and/or morphine with bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery

Purpose

Both magnesium and morphine provide enhanced patient analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery when administered separately via the intra-articular route. Magnesium sulfate amplifies the analgesic effect of morphine. This study was designed to compare the analgesic effects of intra-articular magnesium and morphine, with bupivacaine, when used separately and in combination.

Methods

Eighty patients undergoing arthroscopic menisectomy were randomized blindly into four intra-articular groups: group B+Mor+Mg received 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine, morphine 2 mg, and magnesium 150 mg; group B+Mor received 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine and morphine 2 mg; group B+Mg received 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine and magnesium 150 mg; and group B received 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine. Pain scores at rest and during movement, analgesic duration, and total analgesic consumption were recorded.

Results

Group B+Mor and group B+Mg patients had equally effective postoperative analgesia. Group B+Mor+Mg patients had significantly reduced visual analogue scale (VAS) values both at rest and during movement and significantly increased time to first postoperative analgesic request, as well as significantly reduced total analgesic consumption, compared with the other groups.

Conclusion

Intra-articular administration of magnesium sulfate or morphine, with bupivacaine, had comparable analgesic effects in the doses used. Their combination provided more effective postoperative analgesia than either drug alone.     

Addition of morphine to intra-articular bupivacaine does not improve analgesia after day-case arthroscopy

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled study inpatients undergoing day-case knee arthroscopy to evaluate theanalgesic effect, for 36 h after operation, of the additionof either 2 mg or 5 mg of morphine to intra-articular bupivacaine.Patients in group BM5 (n = 20) received 0.25% bupivacaine 40ml with morphine 5 mg; patients in group BM2 (n = 20) received0.25% bupivacaine 40 ml with morphine 2 mg and patients in groupB0 (n = 18) received 0.25% bupivacaine 40 ml only. The drugswere given by intra-articular injection by the surgeon at theend of the operation and the tourniquet released 70 min later.Preoperative and postoperative pain was assessed over the ensuing36 h, at rest and with movement, using a 100-mm visual analoguescale. There were no significant differences in pain scores,consumption of additional analgesia, or time to first requestfor analgesia between any of the groups. We conclude that, afterday-case knee arthroscopy, no additional analgesic effect wasafforded by the addition of morphine to intra-articular bupivacaine. Present addresses: Department of Anaesthesia, Leicester RoyalInfirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW     

Effects of thoracic paravertebral block with bupivacaine versus combined thoracic epidural block with bupivacaine and morphine on pain and pulmonary function after cholecystectomy

Twenty patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy via a subcostal incision were randomized in a double-blind study to either thoracic paravertebral blockade with bupivacaine 0.5% (15 ml followed by 5 ml/h) or thoracic epidural blockade with bupivacaine 7 ml 0.5% + morphine 2 mg followed by 5 ml/h + 0.2 mg/h, respectively for 8 h postoperatively. Mean initial spread of sensory analgesia on the right side was the same (Th3,4-Th11 versus Th2,6-Th11), but decreased (P less than 0.05) postoperatively in the paravertebral group. All patients in the epidural group had bilateral blockade, compared with three patients in the paravertebral group. In both groups only minor insignificant changes in blood pressure and pulse rate were seen postoperatively. Pain scores were significantly higher in the paravertebral group, as was the need for systemic morphine (P less than 0.05). Pulmonary function estimated by forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume and peak expiratory flow rate decreased about 50% postoperatively in both groups. In conclusion, the continuous paravertebral bupivacaine infusion used here was insufficient as the only analgesic after cholecystectomy. In contrast, epidural blockade with combined bupivacaine and low dose morphine produced total pain relief in six of ten patients.     

Postoperative analgesic value of the intra-articular instillation of bupivacaine and morphine after arthroscopic knee surgery

This prospective, randomized, double-blind study was carried out with 320 patients, subdivided into 4 groups of 80 patients each, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during the time period from March 1995 to February 1997. Each of the 4 groups received a different solution: 15 ml of bupivacaine 0.5%, 5 mg of morphine in 15 ml of isotonic saline solution, 15 ml of bupivacaine 0.5% with epinephrine 0.0005%, or 15 ml of isotonic saline solution (control group). Within each study group, the following operations were performed: 15 cruciate ligament plasties with autologous patellar tendon grafts, 30 meniscus resections, 15 notch-plasties as preparation for anterior cruciate ligament surgery, and 20 other types of operation (plica resection, diagnostic biopsy, etc.). Pain intensity was assessed with the visual analogue scale obtained from questioning patients at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h postoperatively. In terms of reducing postoperative pain and decreasing the consumption of analgesics after arthroscopic knee surgery, bupivacaine 0.5% with epinephrine 0.0005% was found to be the most effective.     

Continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine and morphine for postoperative pain relief

Forty-five patients admitted to the intensive care unit following thoracic or abdominal surgery received continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine and morphine for 48 hours. During the first 10 hours, the patients received 0.25% bupivacaine solution with 0.005% morphine at the rate of 4 ml.h-1, and bupivacaine concentration was decreased to 0.125% with the same morphine concentration. The mean infusion rate of bupivacaine during 48 hours was 0.12 +/- 0.03 (SD) mg.kg-1.h-1 and that of morphine was 4.0 +/- 1.0 micrograms.kg-1.h-1. Thirty-one patients (69%) complained no pain on deep breathing at 24 hours and 33 patients (74%) required no other type of analgesics during this study. The mean plasma bupivacaine concentration was 0.6 +/- 0.3 microgram.ml-1 at 48 hours. Hypotension defined as systolic arterial pressure below 90 mmHg and itching were observed in 15 patients (33%), but no other severe side effects were noted. Continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine and morphine mixture for 48 hours postoperatively provided effective pain relief with a low incidence of side effects.     

Intra-articular morphine and/or bupivacaine in the management of pain after total knee arthroplasty

The purpose of this study was to determine if intra-articular injection of morphine or bupivacaine significantly decreased postoperative pain as well as the use of intravenous narcotics for pain relief in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In a prospective, double-blind, randomized fashion, 105 patients undergoing TKA were divided into the following 4 groups defined by the intra-articular injection they received: group 1 (n = 27) received saline solution, group 2 (n = 26) received morphine sulfate (5 mg), group 3 (n = 24) received bupivacaine (50 mg), and group 4 (n = 28) received a combination of morphine sulfate and bupivacaine. The injections were administered immediately after wound closure by the Hemovac drainage tubing that remained clamped for 45 minutes after surgery to allow for absorption. Before surgery and at 2, 4, 6, 24, and 48 hours after surgery, pain intensity was recorded using a visual analog scale. Postoperative supplemental intravenous morphine and/or meperidine was administered via a patient-controlled analgesia device, and 24-hour drug usage was tabulated. Results were suggestive of a modest short-term reduction in pain scores in the morphine and bupivacaine treatment groups compared with placebo (saline); however, results were statistically significant only at 4 hours because of the great variability in the pain score data. The total amount of postoperative pain medication used in the first 24 hours after surgery was not statistically significant between the 4 treatment groups. Thus, the results put into question the benefit of postoperative intraarticular administration of morphine or bupivacaine in patients undergoing TKA.