Continuous epidural infusion of ropivacaine for postoperative analgesia after major abdominal surgery: comparative study with i.v. PCA morphine

We have compared the quality of three regimens of postoperative analgesia (continuous epidural administration of ropivacaine (Ropi. group), epidural ropivacaine and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with i.v. morphine (Ropi. + PCA group) and PCA morphine alone (PCA group)) during the first postoperative 24 h in a multicentre, randomized, prospective study. Postoperative analgesia was studied in 130 patients after major abdominal surgery performed under general anaesthesia. The ropivacaine groups received 20 ml of epidural bolus ropivacaine 2 mg ml-1 via the epidural route at the end of surgery, followed by continuous infusion of 10 ml h-1 for 24 h. The Ropi. + PCA group also had access to i.v. PCA morphine 1 mg, with a 5-min lockout. The PCA group received morphine as the sole postoperative pain treatment. The two ropivacaine groups had lower pain scores (P < 0.01) than the PCA group. Morphine consumption was higher in the PCA group (P < 0.05) than in the two ropivacaine groups. The quality of pain relief was rated as good or excellent in 79-85% of patients in the three groups. The percentage of patients without motor block increased between 4 and 24 h from 61% to 89% in the Ropi. group, and from 51% to 71% in the Ropi. + PCA group.      

Epidural combination of ropivacaine with sufentanil for postoperative analgesia after total knee replacement: a pilot study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We assessed the analgesic efficacy of postoperative epidural infusions of ropivacaine 0.1 and 0.2% combined with sufentanil 1 microg mL(-1) in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. METHODS: Twenty-two ASA I-III patients undergoing elective total-knee replacement were included. Lumbar epidural blockade using ropivacaine 0.75% was combined with either propofol sedation or general anaesthesia for surgery. After surgery, the epidural infusion was commenced. Eleven patients in each group received either an epidural infusion of ropivacaine 0.1% with 1 microg mL(-1) sufentanil (Group 1) or ropivacaine 0.2% with 1 microg mL(-1) sufentanil (Group 2) at a rate of 5-9 mL h(-1). All patients had access to intravenous pirinatrimide (piritramide) via a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. RESULTS: Motor block was negligible for the study duration in both groups. There was no significant difference with the 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, with the consumption of rescue analgesia or with patient satisfaction. Patients in Group 1 experienced significantly less nausea (P < 0.05) than those in Group 2. Both treatment regimens provided effective postoperative analgesia with only a minimal use of supplemental opioid PCA. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the use of ropivacaine 0.1% with 1 microg mL(-1) sufentanil for postoperative analgesia after total knee replacement as it provides efficient pain relief with no motor block of the lower limbs. In addition, compared with 0.2% ropivacaine with sufentanil, the mixture reduces local anaesthetic consumption without compromise in patient satisfaction or VAS scores. Patients even experience less nausea.     

罗哌卡因硬膜外持续输注下氯诺昔康PCIA的临床效应

目的 研究硬膜外持续输注罗哌卡因期间氯诺昔康静脉PCA的临床效应和不良反应,并以吗啡对照比较。方法 选择60例(ASAⅠ～Ⅱ)妇科经腹子宫全切手术病人,随机分为L组与M组,双盲观察,均采用双泵行PCA治疗。其PCA设置为Bolus 1ml/次,锁定时间为5min,1h限量12ml。镇痛效果和副作用评定:(1)采用视觉模拟评分(VAS),0为无痛、10为剧痛。(2)BCS舒适评分。(3)病人对PCA总体印象评分。(4)记录可能出现的并发症和不良反应。结果 两组病人的一般情况相似,24h硬膜外罗哌卡因使用剂量均为192mg,L组与M组未按压PCA泵的病人各为5例(21.7％),静脉PCA用药剂量分别为(3.4±2.8)mg(L组)和(4.7±3.5)mg(M组),两药用量比值为1:1.4(P>0.05);相同时间段内两组间VAS、BCS、Bromage评分及D1/D2比值均无统计学差异。结论0.2％罗哌卡因硬膜外持续输注(4ml/h)能明显减少静脉PCA用量,新型非甾体类抗炎药氯诺昔康与吗啡静脉用药效价相似,但氯诺昔康对病人恶心呕吐的不良反应具有明显减少的优点。     

The postoperative analgesic efficacy of wound instillation with ropivacaine 0.1% versus ropivacaine 0.2%

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To assess the influence of ropivacaine concentration on wound instillation-induced postoperative analgesia following total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study. SETTING: Large referral hospital. PATIENTS: 40 ASA physical status I and II patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. INTERVENTIONS: A standard general anesthetic was administered. In all cases surgery was performed via a Pfannenstiel incision. On completion of the surgery, a multi-orifice, 20-gauge epidural catheter was placed above the fascia such that the tip was sited at the point that demarcated 50% of the length of the surgical wound. Thereafter, the catheter was connected to an electronic patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device programmed to deliver 9 mL of drug, with a lockout time of 60 minutes and no basal infusion. Patients were randomized to receive PCA with ropivacaine 0.1% (Group 0.1) or ropivacaine 0.2% (Group 0.2). During the first 6 postoperative hours, a co-investigator administered "rescue" morphine (2 mg IV). Thereafter, "rescue" meperidine 1 mg/kg was administered on patient request. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The number of attempts to activate the PCA device and actual PCA instillations during the 24 hour study period were similar between the groups. The number of 2 mg "rescue" morphine dosages administered was 4.3 +/- 1.7 versus 4.4 +/- 2.5 for the Group 0.1 and Group 0.2, respectively. For Group 0.1 and Group 0.2, the total dose of "rescue" morphine administered during the first 6 postoperative hours was 8.7 mg +/- 3.6 versus 9.1 mg +/- 5, respectively. "Rescue" meperidine administration during the subsequent 18 hours was similar between the groups. Throughout the study period, pain scores were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: With a pre-set volume, varying the concentration of ropivacaine (0.1% versus 0.2%) does not affect the analgesic efficacy of wound instillation following total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.     

微创经椎间孔腰椎椎体间融合术后切口注射罗哌卡因的镇痛效果

目的观察罗哌卡因用于微创经椎间孔腰椎椎体间融合术(MI-TLIF)术后镇痛的临床效果。方法 2013年1月—2014年6月,在本院采用MI-TLIF治疗的单节段腰椎椎间盘突出症患者90例,随机分为罗哌卡因组(A组)和患者自控镇痛组(B组),研究过程遵循双盲对照原则。A组患者术后在切口周围环形全层给予1%罗哌卡因注射100.00 mg(生理盐水稀释至20.00 m L)。B组患者术后给予舒芬太尼患者自控镇痛(PCA)。术后(2 h、6 h、12 h、24 h)对患者进行疼痛视觉模拟量表(VAS)评分、镇痛满意度、镇痛补救情况及不良反应发生情况评价。结果 2组患者一般资料比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。A组术后2 h、6 h VAS评分低于B组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);术后12 h、24 h 2组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。A组术后有1例患者进行了镇痛补救,B组术后有4例患者进行了镇痛补救。A组(77.8%)术后镇痛满意率明显优于B组(60.0%),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。A组和B组不良反应发生率分别为17.8%和44.4%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 MI-TLIF术后切口周围局部注射罗哌卡因较PCA效果更确切,可明显减轻患者术后急性疼痛,增加患者术后镇痛满意度。     

Postoperative analgesia by continuous extradural infusion of ropivacaine after upper abdominal surgery

Ropivacaine is a new local anaesthetic with advantages that suggest an important role in the provision of postoperative analgesia. The main aim of this study was to investigate the dose-response relationship of extradural infusion of ropivacaine. We studied 36 ASA I-III patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery during general anaesthesia and extradural block (catheter insertion at T6-9) using 0.5% ropivacaine in a randomized, double-blind study. After surgery nine patients each received an extradural infusion of either ropivacaine 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% or saline at a rate of 10 ml h-1 for 21 h. All patients had access to i.v. morphine via a PCA device. The ropivacaine groups consumed significantly less morphine over the 21-h infusion period than the saline group (medians: saline 75 mg; 0.1% ropivacaine 32 mg; 0.2% ropivacaine 39 mg; 0.3% ropivacaine 13 mg) (P < 0.05). Pain (VAS scores) at rest was significantly lower in all ropivacaine groups than in the saline group after 4 h of infusion (medians: saline 45 mm; 0.1% ropivacaine 15 mm; 0.2% ropivacaine 12 mm; 0.3% ropivacaine 0 mm). Pain on coughing was significantly less in all ropivacaine groups than in the saline group after 4 h infusion (medians: saline 67 mm; 0.1% ropivacaine 44 mm; 0.2% ropivacaine 33 mm; 0.3% ropivacaine 0 mm) and for 0.2% and 0.3% ropivacaine at later times. Motor block was negligible throughout the infusion. Patient satisfaction was higher in the 0.2% and 0.3% ropivacaine groups than in the two other groups.      

Epidural levobupivacaine 0.1% or ropivacaine 0.1% combined with morphine provides comparable analgesia after abdominal surgery

Ropivacaine appears attractive for epidural analgesia because it produces less motor block than racemic bupivacaine. The potential benefits of levobupivacaine with regard to motor blockade require further investigations. In this study, we compared the efficacy, dose requirements, side effects, and motor block observed with epidural levobupivacaine and ropivacaine when given in combination with small-dose morphine for 60 h after major abdominal surgery. Postoperatively, 50 patients were randomly allocated, in a double-blinded manner, to patient-controlled epidural analgesia with the same settings and without basal infusion, using 0.1% levobupivacaine or 0.1% ropivacaine. Both were combined with an epidural infusion of 0.1 mg/h morphine. Pain scores, side effects, motor block, and local anesthetic consumption were measured for 60 h. Pain scores measured on a 100-mm visual analog scale were approximately 20 mm at rest and 40 mm during mobilization in both groups. Bromage scores were 1 for all patients after the fourth postoperative hour. Consumption of levobupivacaine and ropivacaine were similar: 344 +/- 178 mg levobupivacaine versus 347 +/- 199 mg ropivacaine 48 h postoperatively. On postoperative day 2, 19 patients in the ropivacaine group versus 12 in the levobupivacaine group were able to ambulate (P < 0.05). No difference was noted concerning incidence of side effects. We conclude that when used as patient-controlled epidural analgesia and combined with small-dose epidural morphine, 0.1% levobupivacaine and 0.1% ropivacaine produce comparable postoperative analgesia with a similar incidence of side effects. IMPLICATIONS: Small concentrations (0.1%) of epidural levobupivacaine and ropivacaine combined with morphine (0.1 mg/h) produce comparable analgesia and have similar side effects for similar dose requirements.     

Ropivacaine epidural anesthesia and analgesia versus general anesthesia and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with morphine in the perioperative management of hip replacement. Ropivacaine Hip Replacement Multicenter Study Group.

The aim of our study was to compare epidural anesthesia and analgesia (EDA) with ropivacaine versus general anesthesia followed by IV patient-controlled analgesia with morphine (GA/PCA) after hip replacement regarding pain, side effects, and discharge from the postanesthesia care unit. After ethics committee approval, randomization, and informed consent, 90 patients were enrolled. In Group EDA, epidural anesthesia (ropivacaine 10 mg/mL, 15-25 mL) was followed by an epidural infusion (2 mg/mL, 4-6 mL/h for 24 h, plus top-up doses of 6-10 mL for 48 h). GA/PCA patients received general anesthesia (isoflurane/N2O/fentanyl) followed by IV patient-controlled analgesia with morphine postoperatively. Pain was assessed by using visual analog scales (0-100 mm) at rest and during physiotherapy. Pain at rest was less in the EDA (n = 43) group than in the GA/PCA (n = 45) group (at 10 h: 11.8+/-12.9 vs. 28.4+/-17.1 [P< 0.001]; at 24 h: 14.3+/-11.7 vs. 24.0+/-17 [P<0.01]; in 48 h: 14.3+/-9.3 vs. 21.1+/-17.4 [P = 0.1]). Whereas EDA patients were deemed ready for discharge from the postanesthesia care unit earlier than GA/PCA patients (5.6+/-8.9 vs. 39.7+/-41.5 min), the actual discharge time was comparable. The median time for first passage of flatus was shorter in the EDA group than in the GA/PCA group (26 vs. 47 h). Nausea and vomiting were more common in the GA/PCA group than in the EDA group (16% vs. 28% and 11% vs. 22%, respectively), whereas hypotension (11% vs. 4%) and bradycardia (14% vs. 2%) were less frequent. Under the conditions of the present study, EDA with ropivacaine provided pain control after hip replacement superior to that provided by IV patient-controlled analgesia with morphine, particularly during the first 24 h. Both approaches to pain management were equally safe. IMPLICATIONS: Compared with general anesthesia and postoperative IV patient-controlled analgesia with morphine, epidural anesthesia and analgesia with the new local anesthetic ropivacaine enables patients to be discharged sooner from a postanesthesia care unit and provides superior pain relief during the first 24 h after hip replacement.     

The dose-response relationship for clonidine added to a postoperative continuous epidural infusion of ropivacaine in children.

Epidurally administered clonidine enhances the quality and duration of postoperative analgesia when it is used as an adjunct to local anesthetics in children. We investigated the dose-response relationship for epidural clonidine when added to a continuous postoperative epidural infusion of ropivacaine. By use of an observer-blinded design, 55 pediatric patients (1-4 yr old) were randomly given a postoperative epidural infusion of plain ropivacaine 0.1% 0.2 mg. kg(-1). h(-1) (Group R), ropivacaine 0.08% 0.16 mg. kg(-1). h(-1) plus clonidine 0.04 microg. kg(-1). h(-1) (Group RC1), ropivacaine 0.08% 0.16 mg. kg(-1). h(-1) plus clonidine 0.08 microg. kg(-1). h(-1) (Group RC2), or ropivacaine 0.08% 0.16 mg. kg(-1). h(-1) plus clonidine 0.12 microg. kg(-1). h(-1) (Group RC3). A clear dose-response relationship could be identified for a continuous infusion of epidural clonidine, with clonidine dosages in the 0.08-0.12 microg. kg(-1). h(-1) range providing improved postoperative analgesia (reduced Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario pain score, increased time to first supplemental analgesic demand, and a reduced total number of doses of supplemental analgesics during the first 48 h after surgery). Analgesia was improved without any signs of increased sedation or other side effects. The adjunct use of epidural clonidine in the dosage range of 0.08-0.12 microg. kg(-1). h(-1) appears effective and safe for use in children. Implications: The addition of clonidine (0.08-0.12 microg.kg(-1).h(-1))to a continuous epidural infusion of ropivacaine was found to improve postoperative pain relief in children. No clinically significant signs of sedation or other side effects were observed.     

不同浓度罗哌卡因规律间断硬膜外给药分娩镇痛对产间发热的影响

目的比较不同浓度罗哌卡因规律间断硬膜外给药分娩镇痛对产间发热的影响。方法选择拟行硬膜外分娩镇痛的初产妇100例,年龄20~35岁,单胎头位,随机分为0.1%罗哌卡因+0.4μg/ml舒芬太尼组(H组)和0.08%罗哌卡因+0.4μg/ml舒芬太尼组(L组),每组50例。两组均以每60分钟硬膜外腔注入8 ml上述不同混合药液的方式实施硬膜外镇痛。观察镇痛前、镇痛后1、2、3、4、5 h、分娩即刻和分娩后1 h的鼓膜体温、VAS疼痛评分、改良Bromage评分,并记录麻醉药物用量、产程及新生儿1、5 min的Apgar评分。结果与镇痛前比较,两组产妇镇痛后4、5 h、分娩即刻和分娩后1 h的鼓膜体温明显升高(P0.05);H组在镇痛后4、5 h的体温明显高于L组(P0.05)。两组产间发热率差异无统计学意义。与镇痛前比较,镇痛后1、2、3、4、5 h、分娩即刻和分娩后1 h两组产妇VAS评分均明显降低(P0.05),但组间差异无统计学意义。结论 0.08%罗哌卡因或0.1%罗哌卡因复合0.4μg/ml舒芬太尼规律间断硬膜外给药行分娩镇痛效果满意,而用较低浓度局麻药产妇在分娩镇痛期间体温的上升幅度较小。     

Postoperative analgesia by combined continuous infusion and patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) following hip replacement: ropivacaine versus bupivacaine

BACKGROUND: Ropivacaine is a new local anaesthetic, which compared to bupivacaine is less toxic and shows greater sensory and motor block dissociation. We hypothesised that treatment of postoperative pain with a combined regimen of continuous epidural infusion and Patient-Controlled Epidural Analgesia (PCEA) using ropivacaine could have given better results compared with those we had obtained using bupivacaine. METHODS: Patients undergoing total hip replacement were randomly assigned to two groups. They received epidural analgesia for postoperative pain treatment using ropivacaine, 2 mg x ml(-1) or bupivacaine 2 mg x ml(-1). Both drugs were administered as a constant infusion of 6 ml x h(-1) supplemented by PCEA bolus doses of 2 ml. Patients in both groups received morphine intravenously on demand from a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. An independent observer recorded pain scores, intensity of motor block and morphine consumption at regular intervals during the first 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were evaluated. Ropivacaine and bupivacaine, in similar amounts, provided similar results assessed as adequate to very good postoperative analgesia, whereas motor block was significantly more intense in patients treated with bupivacaine. CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar analgesic effects, epidural infusion of ropivacaine combined with PCEA provides higher patient satisfaction than equal doses of bupivacaine due to lack of motor block.     

The dose-sparing effect of clonidine added to ropivacaine for labor epidural analgesia

To determine the effects of clonidine with ropivacaine during epidural labor analgesia, we studied 66 nulliparous women in early active labor. Women were randomized to receive ropivacaine 0.1% 8 mL plus 75 microg of clonidine (Group 1), ropivacaine 0.2% 8 mL plus 0.5 mL of NaCl 0.9% (Group 2), or ropivacaine 0.2% 8 mL plus 75 microg of clonidine (Group 3) 5 min after a bupivacaine 7.5 mg with epinephrine 15 microg test dose. Upon request, additional analgesia with ropivacaine 0.1% 8 mL followed by ropivacaine 0.2% 8 mL/h was administered. With clonidine, duration of analgesia was increased (132 +/- 48 min [Group 1] and 154 +/- 42 min [Group 3] versus 91 +/- 44 min [Group 2]; P < 0.05), and total ropivacaine dose over the first 4 h was significantly reduced (40.5 +/- 15 mg [Group 1] and 47.0 +/- 16 mg [Group 3] versus 72.5 +/- 18 mg [Group 2]; P < 0.01). The incidence of more profound motor block was more frequent in Group 2 (P < 0.05). Although there was a trend for more women receiving clonidine to require ephedrine for treatment of hypotension, this did not seem to have an impact on fetal outcome or incidence of cesarean deliveries for nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracings. This study demonstrates the dose-sparing effect of clonidine when added to ropivacaine. IMPLICATIONS: The effect of adding 75 microg of clonidine to ropivacaine for epidural labor analgesia was studied. Clonidine increased analgesia duration and produced dose sparing compared with ropivacaine alone. Despite a tendency for hypotension in women receiving clonidine, there was no apparent effect on delivery mode or neonatal outcome.     

A randomized,double-blinded comparison of thoracic epidural ropivacaine,ropivacaine/fentanyl,or bupivacaine/fentanyl for postthoracotomy analgesia

Epidural ropivacaine has not been compared with bupivacaine for postthoracotomy analgesia. Eighty patients undergoing elective lung surgery were randomized in a double-blinded manner to receive one of three solutions for high thoracic epidural analgesia. A continuous epidural infusion of 0.1 mL. kg(-1). h(-1) of either 0.2% ropivacaine, 0.15% ropivacaine/fentanyl 5 micro g/mL, or 0.1% bupivacaine/fentanyl 5 micro g/mL was started at admission to the intensive care unit. We assessed pain scores (rest and spirometry), IV morphine consumption, spirometry, hand grip strength, PaCO(2), heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and side effects (sedation, nausea, vomiting, and pruritus) for 48 h. Thoracic epidural ropivacaine/fentanyl provided adequate pain relief similar to bupivacaine/fentanyl during the first 2 postoperative days after posterolateral thoracotomy. The use of plain 0.2% ropivacaine was associated with worse pain control during spirometry, larger consumption of IV morphine, and increased incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Morphine requirements were larger in the ropivacaine group, with no differences between bupivacaine/fentanyl and ropivacaine/fentanyl groups. Patients in the ropivacaine group experienced more pain and performed worse in spirometry than patients who received epidural fentanyl. There was no significant difference in motor block. We conclude that epidural ropivacaine/fentanyl offers no clinical advantage compared with bupivacaine/fentanyl for postthoracotomy analgesia. IMPLICATIONS: Thoracic epidural ropivacaine/fentanyl provided adequate pain relief and similar analgesia to bupivacaine/fentanyl during the first 2 postoperative days after posterolateral thoracotomy. Plain 0.2% ropivacaine was associated with worse pain control and an increased incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. We conclude that epidural ropivacaine/fentanyl offers no clinical advantage compared with bupivacaine/fentanyl for postthoracotomy analgesia.     

布托啡诺与吗啡用于腹部手术后硬膜外镇痛效果的比较

目的 研究不同剂量布托啡诺用于腹部手术患者术后硬膜外镇痛的效果及副作用,并与吗啡硬膜外镇痛进行比较. 方法 择期腹部手术ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级患者75例,按术后镇痛用药不同随机分为3组(n=25):M组(吗啡12 mg+0.1%罗哌卡因共150ml),B1组(布托啡诺9mg+0.1%罗哌卡因共150 ml),B2组(布托啡诺12mg+0-1%罗哌卡因共150ml).负荷量为0.25%罗哌卡因5 ml加吗啡2 mg或布托啡诺2 mg,持续背景输注剂量均为1-5 ml/h,按压追加药量均为2 ml/次,按压锁定时间20 min.观察记录3组患者术中芬太尼的总药量;术后1、4、8、12、18、24、36、48 h各时间点的疼痛视觉模拟评分(pain visual analogue scores,VAS);术后1、4、8、12 h的警觉镇静评分(observer's assessment ofalertness/sedation scores,OAA/S);术后48 h内按压总次数及总药量;肛门排气时间;术后镇痛副作用(头痛头晕、嗜睡、呼吸抑制、搔痒、恶心、呕吐、腹胀)的发生情况.结果 术后4 h时间点B1组VAS评分为2.8±1.0,高于M组的2.0±0.7及B2组的2.0±0.9(P<0-05),其余时间点3组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).M组的头痛头晕、恶心、呕吐,腹胀,搔痒发生例数分别为3、11、7、4、5例,而B1组仅有1例头痛头晕,B2组有2例头痛头晕,1例恶心,发生率均低于M组(P<0.05).3组患者术中芬太尼的总药量、48 h内按压总次数及总药量、术后不同时间点OAA/S评分及肛门排气时间的比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05). 结论 每天3 mg～4 mg布托啡诺应用于腹部手术后硬膜外镇痛,镇痛效果确切,且其副作用发生率较吗啡明显降低.     

Effect of i.v. ketamine in combination with epidural bupivacaine or epidural morphine on postoperative pain and wound tenderness after renal surgery

We studied 60 patients undergoing operation on the kidney with combined general and epidural anaesthesia, in a double-blind, randomized, controlled study. Patients were allocated to receive a preoperative bolus dose of ketamine 10 mg i.v., followed by an i.v. infusion of ketamine 10 mg h-1 for 48 h after operation, or placebo. During the first 24 h after surgery, all patients received 4 ml h-1 of epidural bupivacaine 2.5 mg ml-1. From 24 to 48 h after operation, patients received epidural morphine 0.2 mg h-1 preceded by a bolus dose of 2 mg. In addition, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with i.v. morphine (2.5 mg, lockout time 15 min) was offered from 0 to 48 h after operation. Patients who received ketamine felt significantly more sedated at 0-24 h, but not at 24-48 h after operation, compared with patients who received placebo (P = 0.002 and P = 0.127, respectively). There were no significant differences in pain (VAS) at rest, during mobilization or cough, PCA morphine consumption, sensory block to pinprick, pressure pain detection threshold assessed with an algometer, touch and pain detection thresholds assessed with von Frey hairs, peak flow or side effects other than sedation. The power of detecting a reduction in VAS scores of 20 mm in our study was 80% at the 5% significance level. We conclude that we were unable to demonstrate an (additive) analgesic or opioid sparing effect of ketamine 10 mg h-1 i.v. combined with epidural bupivacaine at 0-24 h, or epidural morphine at 24-48 h after renal surgery.      

Epidural ropivacaine or sufentanil-ropivacaine infusions for post-thoracotomy pain.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy and side effects of continuous epidural infusions of ropivacaine and ropivacaine-sufentanil mixtures after thoracotomy. METHODS: Sixty-two patients scheduled for thoracic surgery were allocated in this prospective double-blinded randomised study. They received an epidural catheter inserted from thoracic 5-6 (Th(5-6)) interspace a day before surgery and were randomly assigned into two groups, sufentanil-ropivacaine group (Group SR, n=31) and ropivacaine group (Group R, n=31). Bolus dose of the study drugs, ropivacaine 0.2% or ropivacaine 0.2% and sufentanil 0.75 microg/ml calculated in ml according to the patient's height was given through the epidural catheter before surgery. One hour after anaesthesia induction, another bolus was given and the epidural infusion was started (4.5-8 ml). Whenever visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were > or =4 during function, the patients received additional boluses and the infusion rate was increased by 1 ml/h. If the pain was not relieved after administration of two boluses, the patient was excluded from the study. RESULTS: VAS at rest and during function was lower in ropivacaine-sufentanil group and the need for additional boluses and infusion rate increase was high in ropivacaine group (P<0.05). Ropivacaine-sufentanil infusion rate was decreased due to nausea and vomiting in two patients and due to CO(2) retention in one patient. There was no statistically significant difference between the incidences of side effects except pruritus significantly higher in Group SR. The total epidural solution volume was more in Group R (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The continuous epidural infusion of ropivacaine with sufentanil provided superior pain relief than ropivacaine alone without causing any severe side effect or post-operative pulmonary impairment.     

The addition of fentanyl to 1.5 mg/ml ropivacaine has no advantage for paediatric epidural analgesia

Background: Epidural opioids are frequently combined with local anaesthetics for an additive antinociceptive effect. We investigated the efficacy of epidural fentanyl to 1.25 or 1.5 mg/ml ropivacaine for post-operative epidural analgesia in children.
Methods: One hundred and eight children undergoing hypospadias repair were randomized to receive 1.25 mg/ml ropivacaine (R_1.25 group), 1.25 mg/ml ropivacaine with 0.2 mcg/kg/h of fentanyl (R_1.25F group), 1.5 mg/ml ropivacaine (R_1.5 group) or 1.5 mg/ml ropivacaine with 0.2 mcg/kg/h of fentanyl (R_1.5F group) for post-operative epidural analgesia. The epidural catheter was threaded caudally through the L4-5 interspace. The face, legs, activity, cry, consolability (FLACC) score was assessed at every hour and at FLACC score >4, an epidural bolus of 0.5 ml/kg of ropivacaine 1.5 mg/ml was given as the rescue analgesia. The incidence of side effects such as hypoxia, sedation, pruritus, nausea and/or vomiting was recorded.
Results: The need for rescue analgesia was higher in the R_1.25 group compared with that in the other three groups (all P <0.05). The incidence of side effects was higher in the R_1.5F group compared with that in the R_1.25 and R_1.5 groups (both P =0.010).
Conclusion: The addition of 0.2 mcg/kg/h fentanyl to 1.5 mg/ml ropivacaine increased the incidence of side effects without improvement of analgesia in infants and children undergoing hypospadias repair. The use of plain 1.25 mg/ml ropivacaine increased the need for rescue analgesia and this could be compensated by addition of fentanyl.     

Continuous interscalene brachial plexus block for postoperative analgesia following shoulder surgery

BACKGROUND: Severe postoperative pain is a well-known problem following shoulder surgery. This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of continuous interscalene brachial plexus block, patient-controlled analgesia, and morphine (i.v. and i.m.) for postoperative analgesia in this setting. METHODS: Thirty patients, scheduled for acromioplasty during general anesthesia, were randomly allocated to one of three different postoperative pain management groups. Group MO received morphine (5 mg i.m. and 2 mg i.v.) when visual analogue pain score (VAS) > 3, group PL received a continuous interscalene brachial plexus block with bupivacaine (1.25 mg kg-1 + 0.25 mg kg-1 h-1) and group PCA received patient-controlled analgesia with morphine (bolus 1 mg). Postoperative pain relief was assessed (24 h) by VAS, circulatory and respiratory stress parameters (heart rate, systemic arterial pressure and respiratory rate) and stress metabolites (glucose, lactate, glycerol by abdominal subcutaneous microdialysis). RESULTS: Pain relief in the PL group was effective (VAS < 3) and significantly more potent than in groups MO and PCA, except at 16 and 20 h. Lactate was significantly increased in the PL group, glucose was significantly increased in all groups, while glycerol showed a variable pattern. There were no significant stress metabolite differences among groups. VAS showed no statistical correlation with microdialysate, respiratory or circulatory data. CONCLUSION: Successful continuous interscalene brachial plexus block provides very good pain relief following shoulder surgery and is superior to the other methods studied. However, we were unable to demonstrate a correlation between VAS pain scores and stress indicators in metabolic, circulatory and respiratory parameters.     

全麻联合罗哌卡因硬膜外输注对胸乳入路甲状腺切除患者皮质醇的影响

目的观察全麻联合罗哌卡因硬膜外输注对胸乳入路甲状腺切除患者血浆皮质醇的影响。 方法40例甲状腺切除患者随机分2组,每组20例:A组患者全凭静脉麻醉;B组患者全麻之前行T_4-5硬膜外置管(0.1%罗哌卡因输注2 ml/h)。记录麻醉前(T₀)、插管后5 min(T₁)、切皮后60 min(T₂)、拔管后5 min(T₃) MAP、HR、Cor变化;术后6 h(T₄)、12 h(T₅)、以及24 h(T₆)视觉模拟评分(VAS),术中丙泊酚、瑞芬太尼用量,拔管时间及镇痛泵按压(PCA)次数。 结果与T₀比较,两组患者T₁时MAP、HR降低,T₂、T₃时HR降低,Cor增高,B组患者MAP降低(P<0.05);与A组比较,B组患者T₁时MAP、HR降低,T₂、T₃时Cor降低(P<0.05);A组患者T₅时VAS评分比T₄增高(P<0.05);两组患者T₆时VAS评分较T₅降低(P<0.05)。与A组比较,B组患者T₅时VAS评分降低(P<0.05),术中丙泊酚、瑞芬太尼用量,拔管时间以及镇痛泵按压次数降低(P<0.05)。 结论全麻联合0.1%罗哌卡因硬膜外输注对胸乳入路甲状腺切除患者可良好控制术中应激和术后疼痛,降低麻醉药物需求。