An assessment of the value of intraperitoneal meperidine for analgesia postlaparoscopic tubal ligation

Patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures may experience postoperative pain. The intraperitoneal (IP) administration of drugs is controversial but has proven effective in some studies for the relief of postoperative pain. However, some investigators have not been able to confirm the analgesic efficacy of IP local anesthetics. The administration of IP opioids for the relief of postoperative pain has received little attention. At the end of laparoscopic tubal ligation, 100 patients received 80 mL of 0.125% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine IP and 50 mg of meperidine either IP or IM. Postoperative pain scores were measured at rest and with movement. Pain scores were significantly lower in the group receiving the IP meperidine both at rest (P: < 0.01) and with movement (P: < 0.05). We conclude that the combination of intraperitoneal bupivacaine and intraperitoneal meperidine was better than the combination of IP bupivacaine and IM meperidine for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic tubal ligation. IMPLICATIONS: The combination of bupivacaine and meperidine delivered to the intraperitoneal cavity proved superior to equivalent doses of intraperitoneal bupivacaine and IM meperidine for postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing laparoscopic tubal ligation. Intraperitoneal delivery of analgesia proved effective in this study and merits further study and more widespread use.     

Intrathecal morphine for postpartum tubal ligation postoperative analgesia

Intrathecal morphine (ITM) provides effective postoperative cesarean delivery analgesia but has not been reported for postoperative postpartum tubal ligation (PPTL) analgesia. We designed this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study to determine the efficacy of 100 microg ITM for postoperative PPTL analgesia. Sixty-six women received spinal anesthesia with 60 mg (1.2 mL) of 5% hyperbaric lidocaine, 10 microg (0.2 mL) of fentanyl, and either 0.2 mL of 0.9% saline (normal saline; NS) or 100 microg (0.2 mL) of morphine (morphine sulfate, MS). Postoperative analgesia was limited to patient-controlled IV analgesia morphine. Six women (three NS and three MS) were excluded because of major protocol violations. Twenty-four-hour patient-controlled IV analgesia morphine use was (mean +/- SD) 39.6 +/- 19.6 mg in the NS group and 1.1 +/- 2.5 mg in the MS group (P < 0.0000001). Visual analog scale scores for crampy and incisional pain (rest and movement) were significantly higher in the NS group compared with the MS group at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h (P < 0.001). The adverse effect profile was similar between groups. Visual analog scale satisfaction scores (mean +/- SD) were 96.6 +/- 16.0 in the MS group and 84.2 +/- 23.6 in NS group (P < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that women experience significant postoperative pain after PPTL surgery, and this pain is effectively obviated by 100 microg ITM. IMPLICATIONS: This investigation documents the extent of the significant postoperative pain experienced by women after routine postpartum tubal ligation surgery and demonstrates the efficacy of a small dose (100 microg) of intrathecal morphine to obviate this pain with minimal adverse effects.     

Combination of low-dose epidural morphine and intramuscular diclofenac sodium in postcesarean analgesia.

Epidural morphine is used for postcesarean analgesia, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are frequently administered to relieve uterine cramps after vaginal delivery. To assess the efficacy of a combination of low-dose epidural morphine and intramuscular diclofenac sodium in postcesarean analgesia, a double-blind, randomized study was conducted. Epidural anesthesia was given to 120 parturients who were randomly allocated into four treatment groups: group A received normal saline solution, 10 mL epidurally and 3 mL intramuscularly (IM); group B received 10 mL of epidural saline solution and 75 mg (3 mL) of diclofenac IM; group C received 2 mg of morphine in 10 mL of epidural saline solution and 3 mL of saline solution IM; and group D received 2 mg of morphine in 10 mL of epidural saline solution and 75 mg of diclofenac IM. Epidural injections were given after delivery of the placenta, and IM injections were given on arrival in the recovery room. Verbal analogue pain scores were recorded at 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 h after epidural injection. Subjective scores of overall pain relief were also recorded at 24 h. Results showed that scores of overall pain relief were significantly better in group D compared with group A, B, or C (P less than 0.05). Groups A and B required more supplemental meperidine than groups C and D. None of the subjects in group D requested supplemental analgesia. Compared with the other three groups, group D experienced a better analgesic effect for both wound pain and uterine cramping pain from 4 to 18 h (P less than 0.05). Incidence of nausea or vomiting, or both, and pruritus occurred more frequently in groups C and D compared with group A or B (P less than 0.05). No bradypnea was observed during the study period. Diclofenac alone was not effective in postcesarean analgesia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Prevention of postoperative pain after thyroid surgery: a double-blind randomized study of bilateral superficial cervical plexus blocks

Local anesthetic infiltration may reduce postthyroidectomy pain. We performed a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess the analgesic efficacy of bilateral superficial cervical plexus blocks performed at the end of surgery. Ninety patients undergoing elective thyroid surgery by the same surgeon under general anesthesia were randomized to receive 20 mL isotonic sodium chloride or 20 mL bupivacaine 0.25% with 1:200,000 epinephrine. Postoperative pain was assessed every 4 h using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS-11). All patients received acetaminophen every 6 h. In addition, morphine was administered following a standardized protocol if the NRS-11 score was > or = 4. The main outcome variables were pain scores (NRS-11), the proportion of patients given morphine at any time during the 24-h period, and the amount of morphine administered. The Bupivacaine group had a smaller proportion of patients given morphine (66.0% vs 90.0%; P = 0.016), and lower initial median pain scores (P = 0.002). We conclude that bilateral superficial cervical plexus blocks significantly reduce pain intensity in the postoperative period after thyroid surgery but do not provide optimal pain relief alone.     

Brachial plexus anesthesia with verapamil and/or morphine

Calcium channel blockers potentiate the analgesic properties of both local anesthetics and opioids. We examined the analgesic effects of administering morphine, verapamil, or its combination into the brachial plexus sheath with lidocaine in 75 patients undergoing upper extremity orthopedic surgery. All patients received brachial plexus anesthesia with 40 mL of 1.5% lidocaine and epinephrine 5 microg/mL. In addition, patients were randomized to 1 of 5 groups: Group 1 received IV saline; Group 2 received IV verapamil 2.5 mg and morphine 5 mg; Group 3 received IV verapamil 2.5 mg and morphine 5 mg was added to the lidocaine solution; Group 4 received IV morphine 5 mg and verapamil 2.5 mg was added to the lidocaine solution; and Group 5 received verapamil 2.5 mg and morphine 5 mg were added to the lidocaine solution. Postoperatively, patients rated their pain (0-10) at 1, 6, 12, and 24 h. Patients were instructed to take 1 acetaminophen 325 mg/oxycodone 5 mg tablet every 3 h whenever the pain score exceeded 3. Analgesic duration was significantly increased in those patients receiving brachial plexus blocks with morphine (Groups 3 and 5) (P < 0.005). The total 24 h acetaminophen/oxycodone use was also less in Groups 3 and 5 (P < 0. 03). Duration of anesthesia (time of abolition of pinprick response) was significantly increased in those patients receiving brachial plexus blocks with verapamil (Groups 4 and 5) (P = 0.002). We conclude that the addition of verapamil to brachial plexus block with lidocaine can prolong the duration of sensory anesthesia, but it had no effect on analgesic duration of 24 h analgesic use. Implications: The addition of verapamil to brachial plexus block with lidocaine and morphine prolongs the duration of sensory anesthesia, but has no effect on analgesic duration or 24 h analgesic use.     

Intraperitoneal application of bupivacaine plus morphine for pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Intraperitoneal administration of a local anaesthetic in combination with an opioid, for the relief of postoperative pain, has already been reported except after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study was aimed at assessing the analgesic effect of the intraperitoneal administration of bupivacaine and morphine in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: At the end of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, in a double-blind, randomized manner, one of the following injections was given intraperitoneally. There were 30 patients in each group: Group 1, physiological saline 30 mL; Group 2, bupivacaine 0.25% 30 mL; Group 3, bupivacaine 0.25% 30 mL plus morphine 2 mg. In addition, Group 2 received 2 mg intravenous (i.v.) morphine in 2 mL saline, and Groups 1 and 3, 2 mL saline intravenously. Patients' postoperative pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale and a verbal rating score. The postoperative analgesic requirement was assessed by the total dose of metamizol administered by an i.v. patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. Pain, vital signs, supplemental analgesic consumption and side-effects were recorded for all patients for 24 h. RESULTS: There were no differences between the three groups regarding pain scores (at rest and coughing) during the study except in the first 2 h, when scores were lower for patients receiving intraperitoneal bupivacaine plus i.v. morphine (P < 0.05). Supplemental consumption of metamizol was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in Group 3 than in Group 1 during the first 6 h after surgery. However, the cumulative doses of metamizol were also lower in Group 2 than in Groups 1 and 3 over the entire study (2025 +/- 1044 mg vs. 4925 +/- 1238 and 4125 +/- 1276mg; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the intraperitoneal administration of morphine plus bupivacaine 0.25% reduced the analgesic requirements during the first 6 postoperative hours compared with the control group. However, the combination of intraperitoneal bupivacaine 0.25% and i.v. morphine was more effective for treatment of pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

The cyclooxygenase-2-specific inhibitor parecoxib sodium is as effective as 12 mg of morphine administered intramuscularly for treating pain after gynecologic laparotomy surgery

Parecoxib sodium, the injectable prodrug of valdecoxib, is a cyclooxygenase-2-specific inhibitor that is effective in the treatment of postoperative pain. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we compared the efficacy of a single dose of parecoxib sodium 40 mg IM with single doses of morphine 6 and 12 mg IM in treating postoperative pain after gynecologic surgery requiring a laparotomy incision. By nearly all efficacy measures (including total pain relief and patient's global evaluation of study medication), parecoxib sodium 40 mg IM demonstrated pain relief and a decrease in pain intensity that was statistically similar to that with morphine 12 mg IM and superior to that with morphine 6 mg IM. Parecoxib sodium 40 mg IM-treated patients also demonstrated a longer time to use of rescue medication than patients treated with both morphine doses, and this dose provided sustained pain relief over the 12-h study period. The incidence of adverse events in the active treatment groups was similar to that observed with placebo. Parecoxib sodium, 40 mg IM, has been shown to be as effective as clinically relevant doses of morphine in patients after gynecologic laparotomy surgery.     

Epidural morphine delays the onset of tourniquet pain during epidural lidocaine anesthesia

We conducted a randomized, double-blinded study to examine the onset time of tourniquet pain during epidural lidocaine anesthesia either with or without morphine in the epidural solution. Forty-five patients undergoing knee surgery with a thigh tourniquet were randomly allocated into 3 groups of 15 patients each: epidural morphine (EM; epidural administration of 17 mL of 2% lidocaine plus 2 mg of morphine, followed by IV injection of 0.2 mL of normal saline), IV morphine (IVM; 17 mL of 2% lidocaine plus 0.2 mL of normal saline, followed by IVM 2 mg IV), and control (17 mL of 2% lidocaine plus 0.2 mL of normal saline, followed by 0.2 mL of normal saline IV). The onset time of tourniquet pain was recorded. The level of sensory block was determined by the pinprick method at the occurrence of tourniquet pain. Hemodynamic changes and side effects of EM were also recorded. The onset time of tourniquet pain from both the epidural injection and the tourniquet inflation were significantly longer in the EM group (103 +/- 15 min and 80 +/- 15 min, respectively) compared with the IVM group (74 +/- 12 min and 50 +/- 12 min, respectively; P < 0.05) and the Control group (67 +/- 9 min and 45 +/- 9 min, respectively; P < 0.05). The level of sensory block at the onset of tourniquet pain and hemodynamic changes were not different among the three groups. Only two and three patients in the EM group complained of nausea/vomiting and pruritus, respectively. Respiratory depression was not observed in any patient. We conclude that epidural injection of the mixture of 2 mg of morphine and 2% lidocaine solution delayed the onset of tourniquet pain during epidural lidocaine anesthesia without significant morphine-related side effects. IMPLICATIONS: We examined the effect of epidural morphine on the onset of tourniquet pain during epidural lidocaine anesthesia. We found that the addition of 2 mg of morphine to epidural 2% lidocaine significantly delayed the onset of tourniquet pain without increasing morphine-related side effects.     

The interaction effect of perioperative cotreatment with dextromethorphan and intravenous lidocaine on pain relief and recovery of bowel function after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Both dextromethorphan (DM) and IV lidocaine improve postoperative pain relief. In the present study, we evaluated the interaction of DM and IV lidocaine on pain management after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). One-hundred ASA physical status I or II patients scheduled for LC were randomized into four equal groups to receive either: (a) chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) intramuscular injection (IM) 20 mg and IV normal saline (N/S) (group C); (b) DM 40 mg IM and IV N/S (group DM); (c) CPM 20 mg IM and IV lidocaine 3 mg . kg(-1) . h(-1) (group L); or (d) DM 40 mg IM and IV lidocaine (group DM+L). All treatments were administered 30 min before skin incision. Analgesic effects were evaluated using visual analog scale pain scores at rest and during coughing, time to meperidine request, total meperidine consumption, and the time to first passage of flatus after surgery. Patients of the DM+L group exhibited the best pain relief and fastest recovery of bowel function among groups. Patients in the DM and L groups had significantly better pain relief than those in the C group. The results showed an additional effect on pain relief and a synergistic effect on recovery of bowel function when DM was combined with IV lidocaine after LC.     

Effective doses of epidural morphine for relief of postcholecystectomy pain

Having previously established the effective dose of intrathecal morphine for relief of postcholecystectomy pain, we determined in this study the effective dose of epidural morphine for relief of postcholecystectomy pain in 154 patients given epidural injections of a placebo (group 1, n = 49), 2 mg morphine (group 2, n = 54), or 4 mg morphine (group 3, n = 51) intraoperatively mixed in 1.5% lidocaine. The percentage of patients who did not request an analgesic, 30 mg IM pentazocine, for relief of pain during the first 24 postoperative hours was significantly greater in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1. In patients who did need 30 mg IM pentazocine postoperatively, the number of times pentazocine was administered was also significantly greater in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. The percentage of patients developing respiratory depression or vomiting in the first 48 postoperative hours was similar in the three groups. Based on the present data and those we previously reported for intrathecal morphine, we conclude that an epidural morphine dose of 2-4 mg and an intrathecal morphine dose of 0.06-0.12 mg are equipotent for relief of postcholecystectomy pain.     

Failure of meperidine wound infiltration to reduce pain after laparoscopic tubal ligation

Many women experience considerable pain and delay in return to regular activity after laparoscopic tubal ligation. We performed a prospective randomized double- blind study to evaluate pain and recovery after laparopscopic tubal ligation and the influence of meperidine wound infiltration. After approval by the Ethics Committee, informed consent was obtained from 60 patients. All patients received naproxen 500 mg po one hour before surgery. Patients were randomized into three groups. All patients received a standard general anaesthetic. Group C patients (n = 18) received normal saline (NS) in the deltoid and NS in the wound. Group S patients (n = 21) received 50 mg of meperidine in the deltoid and NS in the wound. Group W patients (n = 21) received 50 mg meperidine in the wound and NS in the deltoid. After surgery, pain and nausea were treated with morphine and metoclopramide as needed. Following hospital discharge, patients were contacted by telephone daily until they returned to regular activities. The mean maximum pain score of Group S patients was lower than that of Group C patients (P < 0.05). Group S patients required less morphine in the Postanaesthesia Care Unit than the Group C patients (P < 0.05). One Group C patient was readmitted to hospital due to inadequate analgesia with oral medications. Group S patients returned to regular activity earlier than the Group C patients (P < 0.05). It is concluded that wound infiltration with meperidine did not affect postoperative pain or recovery. Intramuscular administration of the same amount of meperidine resulted in less postoperative pain and earlier return to regular activity.     

Anesthesia for postpartum tubal ligation

Postpartum tubal ligation is an elective procedure that can be performed safely shortly after delivery, provided the patient’s labor was uncomplicated, she is hemodynamically stable, and she understands the risks and alternatives to the surgery and anesthesia. Epidural, spinal, general, or local anesthesia with sedation has been used for postpartum tubal ligation. The most convenient anesthetic is reactivation or extension of an already existing epidural, and the success is increased when postpartum tubal ligation is performed within 4 to 8 hours of delivery.

Most of the physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy are still present in the postpartum period. Postpartum patients have delayed gastric emptying of solid foods and should be given some form of gastric acid prophylaxis before inducing anesthesia.

Postpartum tubal ligation (PPTL) produces moderate to severe pain of short duration, so one must provide some form of postoperative pain relief. Although there is controversy regarding the use of ketorolac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, in breast-feeding mothers, the American Academy of Pediatrics considers it safe. Other oral opioid and nonopioid pain medications are also effective in treating postoperative pain.     

Effect of ondansetron pretreatment on pain after rocuronium and propofol injection: a randomised, double-blind controlled comparison with lidocaine

In a randomised, controlled, double-blinded trial to study the effect of ondansetron pretreatment on the pain produced after intravenous injection of rocuronium and propofol in comparison with lidocaine, 60 patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group 1 received 5 ml of intravenous 0.9% sodium chloride solution pretreatment, group 2 received ondansetron 4 mg (2 mg.ml-1 solution) diluted into a 5-ml solution, and group 3 received 50 mg lidocaine (5 ml 1% solution); this was followed 1 min later by rocuronium and propofol. Pain was reduced significantly in the ondansetron and lidocaine groups (p < 0.0001) compared with placebo, and significantly better with lidocaine than with ondansetron (p = 0.02). We conclude that ondansetron is effective in relieving the pain of rocuronium but is not as effective as lidocaine.     

A Placebo-Controlled Comparison of Bupivacaine and Ropivacaine Instillation for Preventing Postoperative Pain After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the effect of local anesthetic instillation, to compare bupivacaine and ropivacaine in patients undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods A total of 80 patients were randomly assigned to four groups to receive the intraperitoneal instillation of 21 ml of either 100 mg bupivacaine (Group B), 100 mg ropivacaine (Group R1), 150 mg ropivacaine (Group R2) or saline with epinephrine 1/200 000 at the end of the surgery. The postoperative pain was evaluated and the analgesic requirement was also assessed. Results The intraperitoneal instillation of 100 mg bupivacaine, 100 mg ropivacaine, or 150 mg ropivacaine at the end of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy significantly reduced the morphine consumption during the first 24 h. For preventing postoperative pain 150 mg ropivacaine proved to be significantly more effective than either 100 mg bupivacaine or 100 mg ropivacaine. Conclusion We herein showed that the intraperitoneal instillation of local anesthetic during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a noninvasive, rapid, safe and simple analgesic technique that reduces the total morphine consumption during first 24 h.     

Tramadol added to mepivacaine prolongs the duration of an axillary brachial plexus blockade

Tramadol is an analgesic drug that is antagonized by alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists, as well as opioid antagonists. We hypothesized that tramadol might produce effects on an axillary brachial plexus blockade similar to those of clonidine. We designed a prospective, controlled, double-blinded study to assess the impact of tramadol added to mepivacaine on the duration of an axillary brachial plexus blockade. After institutional approval and informed consent, 60 patients (ASA physical status I or II) scheduled for forearm and hand surgery after trauma under brachial plexus anesthesia were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 40 mL of mepivacaine 1% with 2 mL of isotonic sodium chloride solution (Group A, n = 20); 40 mL of mepivacaine 1% with 100 mg of tramadol (Group B, n = 20); or 40 mL of mepivacaine 1% with 2 mL of isotonic sodium chloride solution and 100 mg of tramadol i.v. (Group C, n = 20). Sensory block, motor block, and hemodynamics were recorded before and 5, 10, 30, 60, 120, 180, and 360 min after local anesthetic injection. Duration of sensory and motor block was significantly longer (P < 0.01; P < 0.05) in Group B (299 +/- 84 and 259 +/- 76 min) than in Group A (194 +/- 35 and 181 +/- 24 min) and Group C (187 +/- 35 and 179 +/- 16 min). There was no difference in onset of sensory and motor blockade among groups. Hemodynamics remained unchanged in all patients throughout the study period. We conclude that the addition of tramadol prolongs the duration of brachial plexus block without side effects. Tramadol may be an alternative to epinephrine or clonidine as an adjuvant to local anesthesia for an axillary block. Implications: This study demonstrates that the admixture of 100 mg of tramadol with mepivacaine 1% for brachial plexus block provides a pronounced prolongation of blockade without side effects. Our data support a specific analgesic effect of tramadol on peripheral nerves.     

Efficacy of intra-articular bupivacaine, ropivacaine, or a combination of ropivacaine, morphine, and ketorolac on postoperative pain relief after ambulatory arthroscopic knee surgery: a randomized double-blind study

BACKGROUND: Effective pain relief is important after diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopic knee surgery to permit early discharge and improve comfort and mobility at home. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of bupivacaine, ropivacaine, or a combination of ropivacaine, morphine, and ketorolac injected intra-articularly for postoperative pain relief after arthroscopic knee surgery. METHODS: Sixty-three healthy patients undergoing knee arthroscopy under local anesthesia (LA) were randomized to receive 1 of the following substances intra-articularly postoperatively: group B: 30 mL of bupivacaine (150 mg); group R: 30 mL of ropivacaine (150 mg); and group RMK: ropivacaine 150 mg, morphine 4 mg, and ketorolac 30 mg in normal saline (total volume 30 mL). Oral paracetamol 1g and tramadol 50 mg were used as rescue drugs. Postoperatively, pain was assessed at rest and movement, and side effects were recorded. The patients were asked to self-assess pain for 7 days and record analgesic consumption as well as activities of daily living (ADLs). Plasma concentration of LA was measured in another 8 patients. RESULTS: All groups had excellent analgesia at 0 and 4 hours postoperatively. Group RMK had significantly lower visual analog pain score at rest at 8 hours and during movement at 8 and 24 hours compared with the other groups (P<.05). Group RMK required less paracetamol and tramadol on day 1 (P<.05), had less sleep disturbances because of pain, more patients were ready to work on days 1 and 2 (P<.05), and were more satisfied on days 1 and 4 to 7. Postoperatively, plasma concentrations of ropivacaine and lidocaine were far below known systemic toxic concentrations in all patients. CONCLUSION: Addition of morphine and ketolorac to ropivacaine intra-articularly enhances analgesic efficacy of LA, reduces postdischarge analgesic consumption, and improves ADLs without increasing side effects after ambulatory arthroscopic knee surgery.     

Lidocaine with fentanyl, compared to morphine, marginally improves postoperative epidural analgesia in children

PURPOSE: To compare the epidural administration of fentanyl (1 microg/mL) combined with lidocaine 0.4% to preservative-free morphine for postoperative analgesia and side effects in children undergoing major orthopedic surgery. METHODS: In a prospective, double-blind study, 30 children, ASA I-II, 2-16-yr-old, were randomly allocated to receive immediately after surgery either epidural F-L (epidural infusion at a rate of 0.1-0.35 mL/kg/hr of 1 microg/mL of fentanyl and lidocaine 0.4%) or epidural M (bolus of 20 microg/kg of morphine in 0.5 mL/kg saline every eight hours). Both groups received 40 mg/kg of iv metamizol (dipyrone) every six hours. In the F-L Group, blood samples were taken on the second and third postoperative day to determine total lidocaine concentrations. Adequacy of analgesia using adapted pediatric pain scales (0-10 score) and side-effects were assessed every eight hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Resting pain scores were under 4, 95% of the time in the F-L Group and 87% of the time in the M Group (Chi square=4.674, P <0.05). The frequency of complications was very similar in both groups. The F-L Group total plasma lidocaine concentrations were directly related to the dose received, and below the toxic range in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative epidural fentanyl with lidocaine infusion provides slightly better analgesia than conventional bolus administration of epidural morphine. Side-effects or risk of systemic toxicity were not augmented by the addition of lidocaine to epidural opioids.     

Preventing postoperative pain by local anesthetic instillation after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery: a placebo-controlled comparison of bupivacaine and ropivacaine

We tested the hypothesis that local anesthetics instilled at the end of laparoscopic gynecologic procedures are able to prevent postoperative pain at wake-up and during the first 24 h. A total of 180 patients were randomly assigned into three groups to receive an intraperitoneal instillation of 20 mL of either bupivacaine 0.5% (Group B), ropivacaine 0.75% (Group R) or saline (Group S) at the end of surgery. All patients received analgesia with acetaminophen and ketoprofen IV infusions. Pain was assessed by using a 0-10 graded numerical scale (NS) every 5 min in the postanesthesia care unit and IV morphine was administered if NS was >4. Assessment of pain was continued every 4 h on the ward, and subcutaneous morphine was injected if needed to keep the NS score < 4. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was rated on a 4-point scale. The morphine consumption at wake-up and over the first 24 h was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in Group B (mean, 0.92 mg at wake-up; 3.08 mg over 24 h) and in Group R (mean, 0.25 mg at wake-up; 0.69 mg over 24 h), than in Group S (mean, 4.18 mg at wake-up; 12.93 mg over 24 h). The morphine-sparing effect of ropivacaine was significantly greater than that of bupivacaine. Both local anesthetics were effective in the prevention of PONV. We concluded that local anesthetics should be instilled in all gynecologic patients at the end of all laparoscopic procedures. Implications: Local anesthetic instillation (ropivacaine rather than bupivacaine) at the end of laparoscopy prevents postoperative pain and dramatically decreases the need for morphine. This technique, compared with placebo, is safe, improves patient comfort, shortens the stay in the postoperative care unit and decreases nursing care in the ward.     

Determining the effect of intraperitoneal pethidine on postoperative pain

The main problem in the postoperative period is pain relief. Adequate postoperative analgesia not only leads to patient's comfort but also decreases morbidity, nursing care and time of hospitalization. Determination of the effect of intraperitoneal pethidine on postoperative pain in women scheduled for elective tubal ligation was undertaken. In a double blind clinical trial study of 60 women, ASA I, 25-45 years old, were enrolled for elective tubal ligation in Kosar hospital in Qazvin, IRAN. Patients were randomly divided in two equal groups (30 each).One group received pethidine intraperitoneally and the other group received equal amount of placebo in the same region. The intensity of postoperative pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) for about 8 hours. Incidence of nausea was also evaluated. Data was transformed to SPSS software. Then data analysis was performed by U-test. There was no significant statistical difference with regard to age, weight, and time of operation between the two groups. The mean score of pain was significantly lower in intraperitoneal pethidine group than placebo group but the incidence of nausea in the intraperitoneal pethidine group was more than in placebo group (P < 0.05). Thus, intraperitoneal pethidine decreases postoperative pain but increases postoperative nausea.     

Comparison of pH-adjusted lidocaine solutions for epidural anesthesia

One hundred forty-eight adult patients having epidural anesthesia for cesarean section, postpartum tubal ligation, lower extremity orthopedic procedures, or lithotriptic therapy were assigned to five groups. Group 1 patients were given a commercially prepared 1.5% lidocaine solution with 1:200,000 epinephrine plus 1 ml of normal saline per 10 ml of lidocaine; the solution pH was 4.6. Group 2 patients were given commercially prepared 1.5% lidocaine solution plus 1:200,000 epinephrine, with 1 mEq (1 ml) NaHCO3 per 10 ml of lidocaine; the solution pH was 7.15. Group 3 patients received the commercial solution of 1.5% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine; the solution pH was 4.55. Group 4 patients were given a mixture of 18 ml of 2% lidocaine with 30 ml of 1.5% lidocaine, both commercially packaged with 1:200,000 epinephrine, plus 1 mEq (1 ml) of NaHCO3 added per 10 ml of solution; the solution pH was 7.2. Group 5 patients received 1.5% plain lidocaine to which epinephrine was added to a final concentration of 1:200,000; the solution pH was 6.35. Times of onset of analgesia (time between the completion of the anesthetic injection and loss of scratch sensation at the right hip (L-2 dermatome] and of surgical anesthesia (time between completion of injection and loss of discomfort following tetanic stimulation produced by a nerve stimulator applied to skin on the right hip) were significantly more rapid in the groups that received the pH-adjusted solutions (groups 4 and 2). Group 4 had the fastest mean onset time, 1.92 +/- 0.17 min, followed by group 2, 3.31 +/- 0.23 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)