The effect of pH-adjusted 2-chloroprocaine on the duration and quality of pain relief with a subsequent continuous epidural bupivacaine infusion.

A randomized, double-blind true experimental design with a post-test only was chosen to determine if the addition of sodium bicarbonate to 2-chloroprocaine would result in a longer duration of epidural analgesia, as well as increase the quality of pain relief in stage I parturients receiving a continuous bupivacaine epidural infusion. The experimental group (number (N) = 16) received sodium bicarbonate and 2-chloroprocaine followed by a continuous bupivacaine epidural infusion. The control group (N = 15) received normal saline and 2-chloroprocaine followed by a continuous bupivacaine epidural infusion. Only ASA I or II patients in stage I labor were included in this study. Measures of pain perception were made using a self-report, visual analog scale. Measures also were made of the quality and duration of block over time, the intensity of motor block over time, and the blood pressure over time. The cephalad dermatome level of analgesia was determined by pinprick. A record of the need for a supplemental bolus of local anesthetic to maintain a sensory level of T-10 was also recorded. The mean self-perceived level of pain was significantly different for the two groups (P = .024). Moreover, the pattern of self-perceived level of pain over time differs for the two groups in a significant way (P = .023). Additional bolus injections occurred nine times in the control group and six times in the experimental group. The differences were not found to be significant (P > .106). The differences in time and amount of local anesthetic delivered were also found to be trivial (P > .80).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

罗比卡因与布比卡因用于连续臂丛阻滞术后镇痛的比较

目的:比较0.125%罗比卡因与0.125%布比卡因应用于上肢连续臂丛阻滞病人术后自控镇痛的效果。方法:45例拟行上肢择期手术病人随机分为R组、B组和N组,每组15例。术前均予肌间沟径路或腋路臂丛阻滞以及臂丛神经鞘内置管。术后R组与B组使用便携式病人自控镇痛泵,泵内液体分别为0.125%的罗比卡因和0.125%的布比卡因,N组为对照组,观察24h。记录3组患者的疼痛视觉模拟评分和镇痛药使用情况,记录R组与B组患者的运动阻滞、麻木感、局麻药用量、满意度、镇痛技术问题和并发症。结果:R组与B组在术后各个时间点的疼痛评分均较低,组间无明显差异(P>0.05)。N组疼痛评分在术后0h、3h时与R组和B组比较无明显差异(P>0.05);在术后6、12、18、24h均较高,与R组和B间差异均有显著性(P<0.05)。R组与B组镇痛满意度较高,组间无明显差异(P>0.05),运动阻滞、麻木感、补充用药、局麻药用量无统计学差异(P>0.05);技术问题与并发症两组发生率均低。结论:0.125%罗比卡因与0.125%布比卡因均可有效地用于上肢术后的连续臂丛阻滞病人自控镇痛,并且效果相似。     

Continuous peripheral nerve blocks

A continuous peripheral nerve block—also termed “perineural local anesthetic infusion”—involves the percutaneous insertion of a catheter adjacent to a peripheral nerve, followed by local anesthetic administration via the catheter, providing anesthesia/analgesia for a prolonged period of time. The most-common indication for continuous peripheral nerve blocks is analgesia following painful surgical procedures; but, they are also used for inducing a sympathectomy and vasodilation following digit transfer/replantation, a vascular accident, limb salvage, or peripheral embolism; treating intractable hiccups; alleviating the vasospasm of Raynaud’s disease; and treating chronic pain such as phantom limb pain, cancer-induced pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and trigeminal neuralgia. Continuous peripheral nerve blocks may also provide pain control during medical transport, or awaiting surgical correction. The most common catheter insertion techniques include electrical stimulation and ultrasound-guidance. Long-acting local anesthetic is usually the sole infusate, and is optimally delivered with a continuous basal infusion with available patient-controlled bolus doses. Benefits are dependent upon analgesia improvement, and include decreasing pain, supplemental analgesic consumption, opioid-related side effects, sleep disturbances, patient dissatisfaction, time until discharge readiness, and actual hospitalization duration. Additional possible benefits include improvements in ambulation/functioning and an accelerated resumption of passive joint range-of-motion. Most benefits occur during the infusion itself, but a few studies suggest prolonged benefits following catheter removal in some cases. Minor complications occur at approximately the incidence as for single-injection peripheral nerve blocks; but, major risks including nerve injury are extraordinary uncommon.     

Chronic Cancer-Related Pain: Continuous Perineural Infusion of Local Anesthetics as Alternative to Systemic Analgesic Drugs

Pain is a major concern for patients suffering from cancer. Although opioid drugs remain the gold standard for treatment of pain, little is known about the interest of continuous analgesia techniques as alternative. The aim of the present article is to detail the feasibility and to present the diversity of continuous perineural infusion of local anesthetic. A series of five patients suffering from different cancer-related pain is presented. A continuous perineural block was proposed to patients presenting with unbearable pain in an area innervated by a plexus or a nerve despite parenteral analgesic pharmacotherapy. All blocks were performed in a surgical theatre under sterile conditions. An initial bolus dose with 3.75 mg/mL ropivacaine was injected followed by a continuous infusion of 2 mg/mL of ropivacaine. Patient-controlled perineural analgesia was started at home by a nursing network. The technique, the efficacy, and the side effects were reported. Complete pain relief was noted 15 minutes after local anesthetic injection in the five cases, and efficacy was maintained during the following days at home, with no other analgesic treatment required. One patient restarted working a few weeks after catheter insertion. The catheter duration lasted for 12 to 110 days. One catheter was removed because of local anesthetic leak at the puncture point. Some paresthesia was noted in one patient. No other side effect was noted. No infection was reported. In selected patients, continuous perineural infusion of local anesthetics appears to be an attractive alternative to parenteral opioids for cancer-related pain. Further investigation is warranted to better define the place of these techniques in the armamentarium of cancer-related pain treatment.     

两种镇痛方法在膝关节松解术后早期康复治疗中的比较

目的比较连续股神经阻滞和静脉患者自控镇痛泵在膝关节松解术后的镇痛效果及对康复训练的影响。方法选择拟行单侧膝关节松解术的患者60 例,随机分成连续股神经阻滞组(CFNB组,n=30)和静脉镇痛泵组(IPCA组,n=30)。CFNB组在术后实施股神经鞘中留置导管,IPCA组在术后连接静脉镇痛泵。所有患者在术后6 h、24 h、30 h、48 h 先行被动运动训练,然后行主动运动训练。CFNB 组在训练前经留置导管注射0.25%罗哌卡因20 ml,IPCA组通过镇痛泵持续静脉输注镇痛药物(舒芬太尼200~250 μg 和氯胺酮100 mg,生理盐水稀释至100 ml)。记录康复训练中的视觉模拟评分(VAS)、患肢主动关节屈曲活动度,记录两组副作用的发生情况。结果CFNB组VAS 评分显著低于IPCA组(P<0.001),恶心呕吐及皮肤瘙痒的发生率低于IPCA组(P<0.05),患肢主动关节活动度显著大于IPCA组(P<0.001)。结论应用连续股神经阻滞镇痛效果好,副作用少,是一种理想的用于膝关节松解术后康复训练的镇痛方法。     

The long-term analgesic efficacy of a single-shot fascia iliaca compartment block in burn patients undergoing skin-grafting procedures

In a previous study, we assessed the efficacy of a continuous fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) in reducing the pain at thigh autograft skin donor sites. However, a continuous local anesthetic infusion may cause toxicity or infection. In this prospective, randomized double-blind study, we compared the analgesic efficacy of FICB when given as a single shot vs continuous infusion during the 72-hour postoperative period up to the first dressing change (1dc). After ethical committee approval and informed consent, 81 adults (with 1% to 20% total burn surface area) who were scheduled for split-skin graft harvest procedures of the thigh underwent the FICB procedure before general or spinal anesthesia. Via FICB, patients received a bolus of 40 ml followed by 10 ml/hr consisting of either ropivacaine 0.2% for bolus and infusion (continuous, n = 27), or ropivacaine 0.2% for bolus and saline for infusion (single-shot, n = 27), or saline for both bolus and infusion (control, n = 27) until 1dc. Postoperative analgesia consisted of morphine via a patient-controlled analgesia device. We compared cumulative morphine consumption, static and dynamic pain scores, and side effects related to morphine or ropivacaine during the 72 hours up to 1dc. A single block had the same morphine sparing-effect as the continuous technique. Both techniques were equally effective in diminishing dynamic pain and reducing the side effects normally associated with morphine. However, patients receiving a single block experienced less residual paresia and were more satisfied with their pain-relief treatment than those who received a continuous infusion. A single-shot FICB is an easy, inexpensive, and efficient method for diminishing pain at thigh donor sites during a 72-hour postoperative period and has limited side effects and no residual paresia.     

Continuous peripheral nerve block for ambulatory surgery. (Duke University, Durham, NC) Reg Anesth Pain Med 2001;26:209–214.

In this study data was prospectively gathered for 1 year from 228 patients in an ambulatory surgery center. All continuous peripheral nerve blocks (CPNB) were performed using the Contiplex system to provide anesthesia and postoperative analgesia. CPNB were performed using 5 upper and lower extremity techniques. Postsurgery local anesthetic was infused and at 24 hours, a rebolus of local anesthetic was performed. The CPNB catheter was removed and patients were examined for a loss of sensation. Patients were then discharged. The initial peripheral block was successful in 94% of the patients. Failed nerve block requiring general anesthesia occurred in 6%. The catheter was patent and functional in 90% of the patients at 24 hours, and 8% of the patients required more than 10 mg of intravenous morphine by 24 hours postsurgery. In the postanesthesia care unit, only 4 patients (1.7%) required treatment for nausea. At 24 hours and 7 days postsurgery, no patient reported a dysesthesia. Conclude that CPNB using the insulated Tuohy catheter system offered acceptable anesthesia and prolonged pain relief postsurgery. There were few side effects. Comment by Alan David Kaye, M.D., Ph.D., Erin Bayer, M.D. This study demonstrates the efficacy of the Contiplex system (CPNB) in providing surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia through CPNB. Despite the efficacy of CPNB, which could provide longer duration of postoperative analgesia than single injection block, it is not widely used due to lack of available equipment. Contiplex system utilizes a connector for a nerve stimulator attached to a 18‐gauge Tuohy needle. It allows for aspiration of blood, injection of local anesthesia and passage of a peripheral nerve catheter. This study demonstrated in an ambulatory surgery center with 228 patients, CPNB was used for 27 different types of surgical procedures which involved 5 different block sites. Success rates were 94% for initial peripheral block while 6% required general anesthesia. Patients required less postoperative analgesia. The incidence of postoperative side effects such as nausea and vomiting were minimal. Not a single patient reported dissatisfied with a 7‐day telephone follow‐up. A disadvantage of this technique is the use of an 18‐gauge needle and potential for vascular and/or nerve injuries, which did not occur in this study. Though previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of the CPNB in inpatients, this is an important study focused on outpatients. A larger study group will be valuable in future studies.     

Der postoperative Schmerz

A short survey about the different methods available for producing postoperative analgesia is given, the goal being to make it clear to the clinician that there are quite a number of techniques to be used although the everyday clinical practice often sticks to simple and not too effective methods of pain treatment following surgery. Initially presenting short informations about the neurophysiology of pain and the pathogenesis and causes of postoperative pain two main groups of producing analgesia are then discussed.Thefirst group deals with the systemic use of analgesics be it nonnarcotic analgesic antipyretics or narcotic analgesics (opioids). As for the first subgroup the peripheral action of these drugs (metamizol, acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol) is brought about by blocking the synthesis of prostaglandins. These substances can only be used for very moderate postoperative pain f.i. following head and neck surgery. The strong acting opioids belong to the second subgroup. Recent informations on receptor sites in the brain and cord and the subgrouping of the receptors throws new light on the understanding of the different effects of these drugs and on the pathomechanisms of agonistic, antagonistic and mixed activities. The clinically used opioids then are mentioned (morphine, fentanyl, methadon, pethidin, piritramide, tilidin, buprenorphin and pentazocine) and dosage, duration of action, antagonisms and untoward side effects are presented. Stress is laid on the recent development of patient-controlled analgesia with all its advantages. Thesecond main group of methods for postoperative analgesia consists of regional anesthesia techniques as there are brachial plexus block, intercostal block and the continuous epidural analgesia using both local anesthetics and spinal opioids. The brachial plexus block in continuous form is absolutely able to prevent pain after operations in the shoulder-arm-region and can be prolonged even for weeks using catheter techniques. The intercostal block on the other hand practically can be performed only as single injection technique being relatively simple however from the technical point of view. The catheter epidural analgesia is the most important method within this group. In comparison to the centrally acting opioids the epidural technique brings some distinct advantages especially in the cardiorespiratory risk case. Choosing between "top up"-technique and continuous infusion of the local anaesthetic depends on the individual circumstances the latter method apparently giving a more steady level of analgesia. The spinal opioid techniques finally gain more and more importance during the last years. They present clear advantages over the local anesthetic methods as there are the long lasting analgesia and the selective blockade of pain not touching motor and sympathetic nerve fibers. A delayed respiratory depression however might be a serious danger showing an incidence of 0,3% in the epidural and some 10% in the subarachnoid route. Aiming to inform the clinician once again about the vast field of possibilities available to make the postoperative course painfree it is hoped that this important task in the postoperative period will be handled with more consequence and effectivity in the future.     

Addition of Local Anesthetic Epidural Infusion Catheter to Intravenous Opioid Analgesia for Postoperative Pain Control in Children Undergoing Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)

PurposePostoperative analgesia following minimally invasive video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in pediatric patients may involve intravenous opioid analgesics and continuous local anesthetic infusions via an epidural infusion catheter. The use of epidural catheters may avoid systemic side effects of intravenous opioids in this vulnerable population.DesignOur primary aim was to compare total morphine equivalents (MEQ) required, and pain scores between local anesthetic epidural infusion catheters combined with intravenous opioids, versus intravenous opioids alone in pediatric patients following VATS procedure.MethodsFollowing Institutional Review Board approval, we performed a retrospective chart review of children (ages 1 month to 18 years) who underwent VATS procedure for noncardiac thoracic surgery. Based on the postoperative analgesic technique used, the study population was divided into two groups that is, epidural group and nonepidural group. Both groups received intravenous systemic opioids. The primary outcome variables were total MEQ required and pain scores in the perioperative period.FindingsNinety-two patients were included in the study. Of these, 22 patients belonged to the epidural group versus 70 patients to the nonepidural group. There was no statistical difference in MEQ requirements or pain scores between the groups intraoperatively (P = .304), in the postanesthesia care unit (P = .166), or at postoperative time intervals of 24 hours (P = .805) and 48 hours (P = .844). The presence of infection or empyema was a significant factor for the avoidance of epidural placement by providers (P = .003).ConclusionsThere was no significant difference in the perioperative MEQ or postoperative pain scores between the epidural catheter group and the nonepidural group. More research is necessary to determine if this could be due to epidural catheter malposition and/or inadequate dermatomal coverage of surgical chest tubes.     

不同术后镇痛方法对老年患者认知功能的影响

目的探讨不同的术后镇痛方法对老年患者认知功能的影响的差异性,为提高老年患者术后生活质量,减轻认知功能扰乱提供依据。方法选择行腹部手术患者64例,年龄60岁以上术前无明显认知障碍,不合并脑血管疾患,无呼吸功能障碍,无肝肾功能障碍。实施连续硬膜外麻醉,随机分为2组,每组32例。经硬膜外自控镇痛组（PCEA组）：术后先给0．25％罗哌卡因6ml＋吗啡1～1．5mg＋氟哌利多1．25mg负荷镇痛剂量,尔后用100m10．25％罗哌卡因＋吗啡5mg＋氟哌利多2．5mg作术后2dPCEA。持续注入速率2．0ml／h,PCEA量1．0ml／次,锁定时间为15min。经外周静脉自控镇痛组（PCIA组）：吗啡1．0mg／ml＋氟哌利多0．2mg／ml,负荷镇痛剂量5．0ml,PCIA量1．0ml／次,持续注入速率1．0ml／h,锁定时间为15min。分别于术前、术后1d和3d进行认知功能测定。结果两组患者术后自控镇痛,其疼痛视觉评分无差异,均达到满意效果。术后1dPCIA组有近半数患者认知功能测试异常,与PCEA组比较：P〈0．01,PCIA术后镇痛对认知功能改变更加明显。由此说明,术后镇痛单从认知功能改变考量,PCEA较PCIA优越。结论PCIA与PCEA应用于老年患者下腹部手术术后镇痛,均能达到满意的术后镇痛,但PCIA影响术后认知功能较PCEA明显。因此,术后镇痛选用PCEA较PCIA优越。     

神经刺激器引导用于臂丛神经阻滞及术后镇痛研究

目的 观察神经刺激器定位下经斜角肌间沟留置导管用于持续臂丛神经阻滞及术后镇痛的临床效果和可行性。方法 ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级上肢手术患者60例。随机分为套管针组（A组）和留置导管组（B组），每组30例。A组患者用20G静脉穿刺套管针行常规方法臂丛神经阻滞留置，B组患者在周围神经刺激器引导下穿刺置入专用的柔软导管，手术结束后两组患者均连接一电子镇痛泵行持续术后臂丛神经阻滞镇痛。结果 术中需辅助用药患者两组无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。A组患者术后镇痛失败率达23．3％，B组无镇痛失败患者，两组比较差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。剔除A组镇痛失败患者后，两组患者术后48h内的VAS评分、Ramsay评分和PCA按压次数无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。结论 周围神经刺激器精确引导下经斜角肌间沟留置导管行臂丛神经阻滞和持续术后镇痛是一种可行性好、镇痛效果确切、不良反应少的方法。     

老年人开胸术后镇痛泵镇痛的效果观察及护理对策

目的探讨老年人开胸术后镇痛泵的镇痛效果及此类患者的护理对策。方法将开胸术后116例老年患者随机分为两组，观察组术后使用镇痛泵接锁骨下静脉管；对照组为疼痛时肌内注射哌替啶。分别于术后6、24、48及72h观察并记录两组患者的疼痛情况；同时于术后24h观察排痰效果；记录术后拔管时间。结果观察组镇痛效果明显好于对照组，VAS评分、排痰效果、拔管时问与对照组比较，差异有统计学意义（均P〈0．05）。结论老年开胸术后患者微量泵持续镇痛能产生良好的镇痛效果，是一种安全、有效的镇痛方法。     

Ultrasound‐Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Catheter for Chronic Abdominal Pain

Abstract Background and Objectives: Neural blockade of the thoracolumbar nerves supplying the anterior abdominal wall through transversus abdominis plane (TAP) has been investigated for different applications mainly for the acute pain management following abdominal surgical procedures. The role of this block for chronic pain syndromes is still to be discovered, and its value in chronic abdominal pain needs to be studied. We are presenting new application of the TAP technique for management of chronic abdominal pain syndrome using the continuous infusion. Case report: We present a case of an 18‐year‐old girl who underwent an uneventful laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Postoperatively, patient complained of chronic pain at the site of the surgery. All diagnostic and imaging studies were negative for a surgical or a medical cause. Multiple interventions including epidural blocks, transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation, and celiac plexus blocks had failed to relieve the pain. After discussion with the patient about the diagnostic nature of the procedure and the likelihood of recurrence of pain, TAP block was performed on the right side with significant improvement of pain for about 24 hours. The degree of pain relief experienced by the patient was very dramatic, which encouraged us to proceed with an indwelling TAP catheter to allow for continuous infusion of a local anesthetic. The patient was sent home with the continuous infusion through a TAP catheter for 2 weeks. From the day of catheter insertion and up to 9 months of follow‐up, patient had marked improvement of her pain level as well as her functional status and ability to perform her daily activities, after which our acute pain team stopped following the patient. Conclusion: A successful TAP block confirmed the peripheral (somatic) source of the abdominal pain and provided temporary analgesia after which an indwelling catheter was inserted, which provided prolonged pain relief.     

The Effects of Local Anesthetics on Postoperative Pain

This study was performed to determine if intraoperative local anesthesia improved control of postoperative pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy and to compare the effects of two commonly used local anesthetics on pain management. The Gate Control Theory of Pain formed the theoretical basis for this study. A retrospective nonexperimental study in an ex post facto design was used. Data were collected from 1990 through 1997 on 120 patient charts. The use of local anesthetic intraoperatively significantly decreased patients' lengths of stay postoperatively (P = 0.00) and need for postoperative narcotics (P = 0.00). Bupivacaine was found to be superior to lidocaine in decreasing the need for postoperative narcotic analgesia. Researchers concluded that many patients would benefit from intraoperative injection of local anesthesia. This information can affect patient care outcomes through decreasing recovery time, reducing postoperative pain, and reducing health care costs.     

两种局部麻醉方法在会阴侧切缝合中镇痛效果比 较

目的 观察两种会阴局部麻醉方法对会阴侧切缝合的镇痛效果.方法 选取400例经阴道分娩的初产妇,按随机数字表法分为观察组200例和对照组200例.观察组采用新改良局部麻醉方法：侧切前采用9号针头在侧切口范围内紧贴皮肤下缘注射2％盐酸利多卡因3 mL,再由外向内注入2％盐酸利多卡因5mL局部浸润麻醉,缝合前加用2％盐酸利多卡因2 mL淋于阴道内伤口用于加强麻醉效果.对照组采用传统阴部神经阻滞局部麻醉法.结果 观察组在会阴伤口缝合时及术后2h内的伤口镇痛效果明显优于对照组（P=0.000）;观察组会阴侧切口Ⅰ期愈合率（96.0％）高于对照组（87.5％）（P=0.02）;观察组产后尿潴留发生率低于对照组（P=0.001）;2组新生儿出生1min及5 min Apgar评分差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 新改良局部麻醉易于操作,镇痛效果明显优于传统方法,可减少产后尿潴留,极大减轻产妇痛苦,且不会增加对产妇及新生儿的危害.     

Efficacy of various epidural analgesia regimens after lung surgery

A prospective study included 90 adult patients undergoing thoracic surgery. After placing an epidural catheter at the Th4-Th5 level, all the patients were randomized in 3 groups. Twenty-nine patients received controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with fentanyl, 2 microg/ml, in 0.2% bupivacaine solution (Group 1). In other groups, these analgesics were given either as bolus infections (Group 2; n = 30) or as a continuous epidural infusion of fentanyl, 2 microg/ml, in 0.2% bupivacane solution (Group 3; n = 27). Pain scores and the incidence of adverse effects were assessed within the first 24 hours after surgery. The data were compared using the Student's t-test and x2 test with Bonferroni correction; p < 0.017 was regarded as statistically significant. The VAS scores in coating were significantly lower in Group 1 than in Groups 2 and 3. The need for epidural opioids for adequate analgesia within the first 24 hours after surgery was significantly less in Group 1 than in Groups 2 and 3. There were no excessive sedation episodes in all the groups. In Group 2, the incidence of nausea was 20%. These adverse reactions were not found during PCEA and continuous infusion (p < 0.017). Opioid-induced pruritis was mostly (23%) observed in Group 2. Thoracic PCEA with fentanyl-bupivacaine solution provided adequate postoperative analgesia after thoracotomy and reduced the need for opioids. In addition, PCEA reduced the incidence of adverse reactions of opioids.     

微量输注泵在外科手术后持续镇痛的效果观察

目的 :观察微量输液泵在外科手术后硬膜外持续镇痛的效果。方法 :随机将 10 5例外科术后患者分为两组 ,实验组用镇痛泵持续镇痛 ,对照组用常规间断肌注杜冷丁镇痛。结果 :两组术后 1h、 2 4h内镇痛效果差异有高度显著性 (P <0 0 1) ,两组患者在 2 4h内睡眠时间与肛门排气时间差异亦有高度显著性 (P <0 0 1) ,两组的呼吸频率、心率、血压、血氧饱和度等差异无显著性。结论 :术后用微量镇痛泵镇痛效果优于常规肌注药物 ,且安全、持续有效。     

Continuous intrathecal fentanyl infusion for postoperative analgesia

Following inadvertent dural puncture during epidural catheter placement, a 20 gauge polyethylene catheter was placed in the intrathecal space, and continuous spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine was administered intraoperatively to supplement general anesthesia. Following surgery, a continuous intrathecal fentanyl infusion (0.2 mcg/kg/hr) was administered to provide postoperative analgesia. The child was awake and comfortable throughout this time and required no supplemental analgesic agents. Although epidural catheters are still our preferred method of analgesia, intrathecal fentanyl infusion is one alternative when inadvertent dural puncture occurs.     

A clinical trial of the use of 2 forms of bupivacaine hydrochloride (Anecaine and Marcaine) for epidural anesthesia

Two forms of 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride, Anecaine (Pliva) (n = 15) and Marcaine (Astra) (n = 15) were used for epidural anesthesia. The clinical picture of conduction block induced by the two local anesthetics varied. It manifested by a shorter latent period of analgesia development at the level of catheter and the drug infusion (LII) and relatively delayed development of analgesia in peripheral zones for Anecaine in comparison with marcaine. The authors conclude that solutions of local anesthetics containing the same active agent in the same concentrations under different commercial names manufactured by different companies may be characterized by different clinical picture of conduction blockade.     

术后持续镇痛患者拔除尿管时机的探讨

目的探讨术后拔除尿管的适宜时间。方法98例腹部手术患者随机分为实验组(n=50)与对照组(n=48)。实验组于术后第3d拔除镇痛泵后5h拔除尿管,对照组于术后第3d拔除镇痛泵后1h拔除尿管。结果实验组有1例发生尿潴留,对照组则有10例发生尿潴留。两组患者排尿成功率的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论患者在术后第3d拔除镇痛泵后5h拔除尿管,可有效防止尿潴留的发生。