A single dose of celecoxib 200 mg improves postoperative analgesia provided via patient-controlled epidural technique after caesarean section

Introduction

Celecoxib in a dose of 200 mg is safe for the breast feeding mother, as its milk levels are extremely low. We investigated the efficacy of celecoxib in improving postoperative pain management in parturients under patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA).

Material and methods

We studied 64 healthy parturients undergoing elective caesarean section under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. Postoperative analgesia was performed via PCEA with ropivacaine 0.15% and fentanyl 2 µg/ml (4 ml bolus administration, lock-out 15 min). Patients were randomly allocated to receive either only PCEA (n = 32) or PCEA plus celecoxib 200 mg orally (n = 32). Paracetamol 500 mg was given orally as rescue analgesia. We recorded visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain at rest and movement, attempted and given PCEA doses, Bromage scores, level of sensory blockade, rescue doses of paracetamol, maternal side effects during the first 24 h after the PCEA instrumentation, and the overall patient satisfaction.

Results

Fifty-six patients completed the entire protocol. Patient demographics, duration of surgery, side effects, attempted and given PCEA doses, and motor and sensory blockade did not differ between the groups. Significantly lower VAS scores at rest and movement, fewer paracetamol doses (p = 0.039) and increased patient satisfaction (p = 0.001) were found in the celecoxib group compared to controls.

Conclusions

A single dose of 200 mg of celecoxib effectively improved pain management in parturients with PCEA, limited the need for supplemental analgesics and improved efficacy of analgesia, increasing patient satisfaction.     

Is Intravenous Patient Controlled Analgesia Enough for Pain Control in Patients Who Underwent Thoracoscopy?

This prospective randomized study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two common analgesic techniques, thoracic epidural patient-controlled analgesia (Epidural PCA), and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA), in patients undergoing lobectomy by the video-assisted thoracic surgical (VATS) approach. Fifty-two patients scheduled for VATS lobectomy were randomly allocated into two groups: an Epidural PCA group receiving an epidural infusion of ropivacaine 0.2%+fentanyl 5 µg/mL combination at a rate of 4 mL/hr, and an IV PCA group receiving an intravenous infusion of ketorolac 0.2 mg/kg+fentanyl 15 µg/mL combination at a rate of 1 mL/hr. Pain scores were then recorded using the visual analogue scale at rest and during motion (VAS-R and VAS-M, 0-10) for five days following surgery. In addition, we measured the daily morphine consumption, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), satisfaction score, and the incidence of side effects. Thirty-seven patients out of 52 completed the study (18 in the Epidural PCA group, 19 in the IV PCA group). There were no differences in the pain scores, analgesic requirements, pulmonary function, satisfaction score, and the incidence of side effects between groups. This indicates that IV PCA and Epidural PCA are equally effective to control the postoperative pain after VATS lobectomy, which suggests that IV PCA may be used instead of Epidural PCA.     

Intrathecal Morphine Plus General Anesthesia in Cardiac Surgery: Effects on Pulmonary Function, Postoperative Analgesia, and Plasma Morphine Concentration

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the effects of intrathecal morphine on pulmonary function, analgesia, and morphine plasma concentrations after cardiac surgery.

INTRODUCTION:

Lung dysfunction increases morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. Regional analgesia may improve pulmonary outcomes by reducing pain, but the occurrence of this benefit remains controversial.

METHODS:

Forty-two patients were randomized for general anesthesia (control group n=22) or 400 μg of intrathecal morphine followed by general anesthesia (morphine group n=20). Postoperative analgesia was accomplished with an intravenous, patient-controlled morphine pump. Blood gas measurements, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV), and FVC/FEV ratio were obtained preoperatively, as well as on the first and second postoperative days. Pain at rest, profound inspiration, amount of coughing, morphine solicitation, consumption, and plasma morphine concentration were evaluated for 36 hours postoperatively. Statistical analyses were performed using the repeated measures ANOVA or Mann-Whiney tests (*p<0.05).

RESULTS:

Both groups experienced reduced FVC postoperatively (3.24 L to 1.38 L in control group; 2.72 L to 1.18 L in morphine FEV₁ (p=0.085), group), with no significant decreases observed between groups. The two groups also exhibited similar results for FEV₁/FVC (p=0.68) and PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio (p=0.08). The morphine group reported less pain intensity (evaluated using a visual numeric scale), especially when coughing (18 hours postoperatively: control group= 4.73 and morphine group= 1.80, p=0.001). Cumulative morphine consumption was reduced after 18 hours in the morphine group (control group= 20.14 and morphine group= 14.20 mg, p=0.037). The plasma morphine concentration was also reduced in the morphine group 24 hours after surgery (control group= 15.87 ng.mL⁻¹ and morphine group= 4.08 ng.mL⁻¹, p=0.029).

CONCLUSIONS:

Intrathecal morphine administration did not significantly alter pulmonary function; however, it improved patient analgesia and reduced morphine consumption and morphine plasma concentration.     

股神经和硬膜外自控镇痛在全膝关节置换后的作用

背景：全膝关节置换后疼痛是阻碍早期锻炼的主要问题,置换后镇痛有多种方法可供选择,每种镇痛方法均有自身的优缺点,越来越多的学者趋向于神经阻滞和自控镇痛。 目的：比较经股神经自控镇痛和硬膜外自控镇痛在单侧全膝关节置换后镇痛及促进功能恢复效果的差异。 方法：选择ASAⅠ~Ⅲ级单侧膝关节置换患者42例,随机分为股神经自控镇痛组和硬膜外自控镇痛组,每组21例,均在连续硬膜外麻醉下实施置换,置换后连接镇痛泵。置换后4,8,12,24和48 h,采用目测类比法进行疼痛评分,采用Bromage评分法进行运动阻滞评分;分别记录患者在置换后1,2,3 d、1周、1个月患膝关节主动活动的关节活动度以及不良反应发生情况等。 结果与结论：全膝关节置换后两组目测类比评分差异无显著性意义,运动阻滞Bromage评分股神经自控镇痛组低于硬膜外自控镇痛组,而且股神经自控镇痛组不良反应明显低于硬膜外自控镇痛组,早期关节活动度也好于硬膜外自控镇痛组。提示股神经自控镇痛在全膝关节置换后的镇痛效果是安全有效的,有利于置换后功能恢复。     

Efficacy of Intrathecal Morphine Combined with Intravenous Analgesia versus Thoracic Epidural Analgesia after Gastrectomy

Purpose

Epidural analgesia has been the preferred analgesic technique after major abdominal surgery. On the other hand, the combined use of intrathecal morphine (ITM) and intravenous patient controlled analgesia (IVPCA) has been shown to be a viable alternative approach for analgesia. We hypothesized that ITM combined with IVPCA is as effective as patient controlled thoracic epidural analgesia (PCTEA) with respect to postoperative pain control after conventional open gastrectomy.

Materials and Methods

Sixty-four patients undergoing conventional open gastrectomy due to gastric cancer were randomly allocated into the intrathecal morphine combined with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IT) group or patient-controlled thoracic epidural analgesia (EP) group. The IT group received preoperative 0.3 mg of ITM, followed by postoperative IVPCA. The EP group preoperatively underwent epidural catheterization, followed by postoperative PCTEA. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were assessed until 48 hrs after surgery. Adverse effects related to analgesia, profiles associated with recovery from surgery, and postoperative complications within 30 days after surgery were also evaluated.

Results

This study failed to demonstrate the non-inferiority of ITM-IVPCA (n=29) to PCTEA (n=30) with respect to VAS 24 hrs after surgery. Furthermore, the IT group consumed more fentanyl than the EP group did (1247.2±263.7 µg vs. 1048.9±71.7 µg, p<0.001). The IT group took a longer time to ambulate than the EP group (p=0.021) and had higher incidences of postoperative ileus (p=0.012) and pulmonary complications (p=0.05) compared with the EP group.

Conclusion

ITM-IVPCA is not as effective as PCTEA in patients undergoing gastrectomy, with respect to pain control, ambulation, postoperative ileus and pulmonary complications.     

Intra-articular morphine versus bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia following knee arthroscopy

In a prospective, double blind, randomized study, 30 ASA I patients were allocated to three groups depending on the drug injected intra-articularly, in an attempt to establish the best postoperative analgesic protocol following knee arthroscopy. Group 1 received 3 mg of preservative-free morphine in 25 ml saline; group 2, 5 mg of preservative-free morphine in 25 ml saline; and group 3, 25 ml 0.25% bupivacaine. The degree of postoperative pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale and the need for additional analgesics at 1, 2, 3, 8 and 24 h. We conclude that bupivacaine 0.25% provides analgesia of early onset and of short duration. While 3 mg-preservative free morphine provides moderate postoperative analgesia with peak effect during the eighth postoperative hour, 5 mg preservative-free morphine provides effective and long lasting (more than 24 h) pain relief. No side effects were noted.     

Post-operative analgesia following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a controlled study using femoral nerve regional anaesthesia

We present a prospective randomised double-blind study assessing the value of femoral nerve block anaesthesia (FNB) in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Patients in the study group received a FNB using a nerve stimulator to deliver 20 ml of 0.5% marcaine together with a patient-controlled analgesia system delivering morphine. Patients in the control group received only a patient-controlled analgesia system. A standard anaesthetic was employed. Both the total opiate dose and the verbal related pain scores were recorded at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h post-operatively. Complications such as nausea and vomiting and urinary retention were also recorded. There were statistically significant reductions in both the total opiate used, the rate of opiate usage and pain scores in the first 24 h following surgery. There were also fewer complications in the patients receiving the femoral nerve block. This in turn may reduce in-patient stay and cost.     

Comparative study of fentanyl and morphine in addition to hyperbaric or isobaric bupivacaine in combined spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section

Introduction

The aim of our study was to compare the effects of isobaric and hyperbaric bupivacaine combined with morphine or fentanyl in patients undergoing caesarean section. We assessed quality and spread of analgesia and anaesthesia, postoperative analgesic requirement and side effects.

Material and methods

Hundred patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA) I-II, age 18 to 40 years, were randomized to 4 groups. The intrathecal solutions were isobaric bupivacaine + morphine (group A), isobaric bupivacaine + fentanyl (group B), heavy bupivacaine + + morphine (group C) and heavy bupivacaine + fentanyl (group D). Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, ephedrine consumption, analgesic requirement time and additional analgesic needs were recorded.

Results

The 1^st min value of mean arterial pressure was the lowest one in all groups. Heart rate decreased significantly in group A at the 10^th min but not in the other groups. The decrease of visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores began in the groups after the 4^th postoperative h (p < 0.05) and the VAS value of group B at the 8^th h was significantly higher than the other groups. The first analgesic requirement time in the postoperative period was longer in patients who had intrathecal morphine than those who had fentanyl. The duration of analgesia with isobaric bupivacaine and morphine was the longest one.

Conclusions

We concluded that intrathecal morphine provides a long duration of postoperative analgesia but the duration gets longer when it is combined with plain bupivacaine instead of heavy bupivacaine.     

Postoperative sleep disturbance: influences of opioids and pain in humans

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that opioids and pain contribute independently to postoperative sleep disturbance, 10 women undergoing surgery requiring a low abdominal incision for treatment of benign gynecologic conditions were randomized to receive either epidural opioid (fentanyl) (n=6) or epidural local anesthetic (bupivacaine) (n=4) for intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. DESIGN: N/A SETTING: N/A PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: N/A INTERVENTIONS: N/A MEASUREMENTS: Polysomnography was performed in a standard patient room on the preoperative and first three postoperative nights. Pain at rest and with coughing was evaluated using a visual-analogue pain scale each evening and morning. RESULTS: On the first postoperative night, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was abolished in all patients. On the third postoperative night, the mean +/- SE REM sleep time increased significantly (p=.003) to 9.8% +/- 3.1% in the fentanyl group, and 12.9% +/- 3.8% in the bupivacaine group. Conversely, light non-REM (NREM) sleep (%stage 1 + %stage 2) was higher on the first postoperative night and significantly lower on the third postoperative night (p=0.011). Between group comparison revealed only that the mean % slow-wave sleep (SWS) in the fentanyl group (6.0%, 2.0%, and 14.7%) was different from the bupivacaine group (7.8%, 9.1%, and 10.6%) in the postoperative period after adjusting for the preoperative night % SWS (p=0.021). Pain was well controlled in all patients, but was slightly better controlled in the fentanyl group than in the bupivacaine group on postoperative night 2 (p=0.024). There was no statistically significant association between pain score and any polysomnographically defined stage. CONCLUSION: Postoperative patients suffer a profound sleep disturbance even when opioids are avoided and pain is well controlled.     

Comparison of continuous epidural and intravenous analgesia for postoperative pain control in pediatric lower extremity surgery

In recent years epidural anesthesia and analgesia techniques were used in pediatric surgery owing to the development of pediatric epidural catheter needles. And the need of postoperative pain control in pediatric patients is also increasing. We compared combined general-epidural anesthesia and analgesia technique with intravenous fentanyl analgesia after general anesthesia for postoperative analgesic effect and complications in these pediatric patients. We randomly allocated 91 pediatric patients undergoing lower extremities surgery into epidural lidocaine group (n=61) and IV fentanyl group (n=30). During the operation, end-tidal sevoflurane concentration (ET(sev)) was controlled to maintain the blood pressure and heart rate within 10% of preoperative value. At the postoperative period, Parent Visual Analog Scale (PVAS), Objective Pain Score (OPS) and the incidence of nausea/ vomiting were checked immediately, 6 hours and 24 hours after the patient's arrival at general ward. ET(sev) was significantly low in epidural lidocaine group (p < 0.05). Compare to IV fentanyl group, epidural lidocaine group had significantly lower OPSs at 6 hours after arrival. Epidural lidocaine group had significantly lower PVASs immediately, 6 hrs and 24 hours after arrival. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. A combined general-epidural anesthesia technique significantly reduces intraoperative end-tidal sevoflurane concentration compared to general anesthesia alone. And continuous patient-controlled epidural analgesia reduces postoperative pain scores significantly more than continuous patient-controlled IV fentanyl analgesia without any serious complications in pediatric lower extremity surgery.     

罗哌卡因与布比卡因硬膜外自控镇痛用于分娩镇痛的比较

目的比较罗哌卡因与布比卡因硬膜外自控镇痛(PCEA)用于分娩镇痛的效果及对产程的影响。方法300例单胎足月初产妇随机分为两组,每组150例。两组在硬膜外镇痛时分别接受罗哌卡因或布比卡因行PCEA。观察两组镇痛效果、运动阻滞程度、分娩情况和新生儿情况,进行脐动静脉血气分析。结果两组镇痛效果良好,两组疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)差异不显著(P>0.05),两组对产程、新生儿Apgar评分、阴道助产率、剖宫产率及催产素的使用率影响差异不显著(P>0.05)。但布比卡因组对运动神经的阻滞程度显著增高,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论低浓度罗哌卡因PCEA用于分娩镇痛,效果完善,比低浓度布比卡因PCEA运动阻滞更轻微。     

盐酸丁卡因粉剂用于开胸手术后硬膜外镇痛

研究盐酸丁卡因粉剂用于开胸肺叶切除术后硬膜外麻醉病人自控镇痛的镇痛效果及其对呼吸和循环功能的影响。43例全麻下开胸肺叶切除术病人，随机分为盐酸丁卡因(22例)和盐酸罗哌卡因(21例)两组。两组病人术后均使用病人自控硬膜外镇痛泵，分别采用0．15％丁卡因与0．3％罗哌卡因行硬膜外镇痛48h。镇痛泵设定为单次注射模式：单次剂量6mL，锁定时间1h。采用视觉模拟评分(VAS)评估镇痛效果。术前及术后每日测定用力肺活量(FVC)，第一秒用力呼气量(FEV1.0)，第一秒用力呼气量占用力肺活量的百分率(FEV1.0/FVC)及呼气流量峰值(PEF)。监测并记录每次注药前后的血流动力学指标。结果表明，硬膜外单次注射局麻药后两组病人VAS均显著降低。两组间术后FEV1.0/FVC和PEF改变率无显著性差异。给药后两组病人心率、血压、血氧饱和度的改变率亦无显著性差异。开胸术后使用0．15％丁卡因行病人自控硬膜外镇痛的镇痛效果及对呼吸和循环功能的影响与0．3％罗哌卡因相似，未见严重不良反应发生。     

Effect of wound infiltration with bupivacaine on pulmonary function after elective lower abdominal operations

Background

Subcutaneous or intrafascial wound infiltration of local anaesthetic with systemic opioids has been shown to enhance patient comfort with improved analgesia and reduced opioid requirements.

Objective

To demonstrate improved pulmonary function when postoperative analgesia was provided by combined bupivacaine wound infiltration and systemic opioid.

Methods

In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 46 patients (23 per group) scheduled for elective gynaecological surgery under general anaesthesia had subcutaneous and intrafascial wound infiltration of 40 ml, 0.25% bupivacaine (study patients) or 40 ml 0.9% saline (control) just before the end of surgery. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were done before surgery and at 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively. Student''s T and chi-square tests were used for tests of significance set at P < 0.05.Postoperative analgesia was provided with intramuscular morphine 0.15mg/kg 4hourly and 10mg/kg of intravenous paracetamol as rescue analgesia.

Results

PEFR, FVC and FEV1 were reduced in both the control and study groups but the reduction was greater in the control group.

Conclusion

Bupivacaine wound infiltration produced statistically significant elevations in pulmonary function tests results at all assessment periods.     

Effect of combined single-injection femoral nerve block and patient-controlled epidural analgesia in patients undergoing total knee replacement

Purpose

Total knee replacement is one of the most painful orthopedic procedures, and effective pain relief is essential for early mobility and discharge from hospital. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether addition of single-injection femoral nerve block to epidural analgesia would provide better postoperative pain control, compared to epidural analgesia alone, after total knee replacement.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-eight patients received a single-injection femoral nerve block with 0.25% levobupivacaine (30 mL) combined with epidural analgesia (femoral nerve block group) and 40 patients received epidural analgesia alone (control group). Pain intensity and volume of patient-controlled epidural analgesia medication and rescue analgesic requirements were measured in the first 48 hours after surgery at three time periods; 0-6 hours, 6-24 hours, and 24-48 hours. Also, side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and pruritus were evaluated.

Results

Median visual analog scale at rest and movement was significantly lower until 48 hours in the femoral nerve block group. Patient-controlled epidural analgesia volume was significantly lower throughout the study period, however, rescue analgesia requirements were significantly lower only up to 6 hours in the femoral nerve block group. The incidences of nausea and vomiting and rescue antiemetic requirement were significantly lower in the femoral nerve block group up to 6 hours.

Conclusion

The combination of femoral nerve block with epidural analgesia is an effective pain management regimen in patients undergoing unilateral total knee replacement.     

Effect of cryoanalgesia combined with intravenous continuous analgesia in thoracotomy patients

Fifty patients undergoing thoracotomy was studied to compare the effects of cryoanalgesia combined with intravenous continuous analgesia (IVCA). Patients were randomized into two groups: IVCA group and IVCA-cryo group. Subjective pain intensity was assessed on a visual analogue scale at rest (VAS-R) and during movement (VAS-M). Analgesic requirements were evaluated over the 7 days following surgery. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) were measured before operation, on the 2nd and 7th postoperative days (POD). We interviewed patients by telephone to evaluate the prevalence of post-thoracotomy pain at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months postoperatively. No significant differences were observed between the two groups with respect to postoperative pain, analgesic requirements, side effects, respiratory complications, or prevalence of post-thoracotomy pain. However, a significant increase in FVC and FEV1 was observed on the 7th POD in IVCAcryo group. The incidence of the post-thoracotomy pain at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months postoperatively was 68, 60, and 44% in IVCA group, and 88, 68, and 28% in IVCAcryo group, respectively. Our study showed that cryoanalgesia combined with IVCA effectively restore respiratory function on 7th POD, but that it was not effective at reducing the incidence of post-thoracotomy pain.     

喷他佐辛与芬太尼在妇科腹腔镜术后A控镇痛的效果评价

目的观察喷他佐辛与芬太尼在妇科腹腔镜术后病人自控静脉镇痛（PCIA）时的镇痛效果及不良反应。方法选择40例择期妇科腹腔镜手术患者,随机分为两组,每组20例。喷他佐辛组（A组）：喷他佐辛300mg＋昂丹司琼8mg,加生理盐水稀释至100ml;芬太尼组（B组）：芬太尼1．0mg＋昂丹司琼8mg,加生理盐水稀释至100ml。PCIA设置如下：负荷剂量5ml,持续剂量2ml／h,单次给药剂量0．5ml,锁定时间15min。观察术后4、8、12、24及48h各时段镇痛评分（VAS）、镇静评分（Ramsay）和不良反应。结果两组镇痛评分及镇静评分均良好,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;A组恶心、呕吐、皮肤瘙痒等发生率明显低于B组（P〈0．05）。结论喷他佐辛和芬太尼均可安全有效地用于手术后镇痛,但喷他佐辛PCIA不良反应发生率明显低于芬太尼。     

Testing the impact of a multimedia video CD of patient-controlled analgesia on pain knowledge and pain relief in patients receiving surgery

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop a multimedia video CD (VCD) of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and test its effects on pain knowledge and pain relief in patients receiving surgery. This multimedia VCD of PCA was created to convey fundamental knowledge to both patients and their family members and help patients properly utilize PCA devices to relieve pain and improve recovery. The content of multimedia VCD of PCA included pre-admission pain education, introduction of PCA, nursing care procedures, and questions and answers. METHODS: This study used a quasi-experimental research design to test effects of the multimedia education program in the experimental group of 30 subjects compared to the control subjects of equal number (without the multimedia VCD of PCA). RESULTS: (1) The intervention of multimedia VCD of PCA resulted in a statistically significant difference in pain knowledge between the experimental and control groups. (2) Subjects in the experimental group obtained a better outcome of pain relief compared to control subjects. (3) Subjects in the experimental group indicated that the multimedia VCD of PCA indeed helped them effectively operate their PCA devices to relieve surgery pain. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical application of the multimedia VCD of PCA could help patients improve knowledge on pain, learn how to use PCA devices, achieve proper pain relief, and increase effectiveness of recovery activities.     

Parent-controlled analgesia in children undergoing cleft palate repair

The aims of this study were to find an optimal basal infusion dose of fentanyl for parent-controlled analgesia (PrCA) in children undergoing cleft palate repair and the degree of parents' satisfaction with PrCA. Thirty consecutive children between 6 months and 2 yr of age were enrolled. At the end of surgery, a PrCA device with a basal infusion rate of 2 mL/hr and bolus of 0.5 mL with lockout time of 15 min was applied. Parents were educated in patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) devices, the Wong Baker face pain scoring system, and monitoring of adverse effects of fentanyl. Fentanyl was infused 0.3 microgram/kg/hr at first, and we obtained a predetermined fentanyl regimen by the response of the previous patient to a larger or smaller dose of fentanyl (0.1 microgram/kg/hr as the step size), using an up-and-down method. ED50 and ED95 by probit analysis were 0.63 microgram/kg/hr (95% confidence limits, 0.55-0.73 microgram/kg/hr) and 0.83 microgram/kg/hr (95% confidence limits, 0.73-1.47 microgram/kg/hr), respectively. Eighty seven percent of the parents were satisfied with participating in the PrCA modality. PrCA using fentanyl with a basal infusion rate of 0.63 microgram/kg/hr can be applied effectively for postoperative pain management in children undergoing cleft palate repair with a high level of parents' satisfaction.     

Preoperative administration of intramuscular dezocine reduces postoperative pain for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Postoperative pain is the most common complaint after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.This study was carried out to evaluate whether preoperative administration of intramuscular dezocine can provide postoperative analgesia and reduce postoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Patients (ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ) scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly assigned into intramuscular dezocine group (group 1) or intramuscular normal saline group (group 2).Dezocine and equal volume normal saline were administered intramuscularly 10 min before the induction of anesthesia.After operation,the severity of postoperative pain,postoperative fentanyl requirement,incidence and severity of side-effects were assessed.Postoperative pain and postoperative patient-controlled fentanyl consumption were reduced significantly in group 1 compared with group 2.The incidence and severity of side effects were similar between the two groups.Preoperative single-dose administration of intramuscular dezocine 0.1 mg/kg was effective in reducing postoperative pain and postoperative patient-controlled fentanyl requirement in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.