Double-blind parallel comparison of multiple doses of apraclonidine, clonidine, and placebo administered intra-articularly to patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery

OBJECTIVE: This clinical study assessed and compared the potential analgesic and adverse effect of IA apraclonidine with IA clonidine. METHODS: Eighty patients scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery under general anesthesia were randomized to receive, in a double-blind manner, either IA normal saline (group 1), 50 microg IA apraclonidine (group 2), 150 microg IA apraclonidine (group 3), or 150 microg IA clonidine (group 4), all in a volume of 20 mL subsequent to surgery. Visual analog pain scores (VAS), the duration of analgesia as defined by the time to first demand for supplemental analgesics, the subsequent 24-hour consumption of postoperative supplementary analgesics, and patient adverse effects were evaluated. RESULTS: The patients from groups 3 and 4 demonstrated a longer duration of analgesia and used fewer analgesics in the first postoperative 24 hour period compared with group 1 and 2 patients (P < 0.05). The VAS scores corresponding to the periods 1, 2, and 4 hours postoperatively were significantly lower for group 3 than for group 1 patients. The VAS scores at 1 and 4 hours postoperatively were also lower for group 3 than for group 2 patients (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of side effects among the 4 groups. DISCUSSION: The IA application of 150 microg apraclonidine and 150 microg clonidine provide similar degree of postoperative analgesia following knee arthroscopic surgery without any difference in adverse events.     

Comparison between intravenous morphine versus fentanyl in acute pain relief in drug abusers with acute limb traumatic injury

BACKGROUND: Rapid and effective pain relief in acute traumatic limb injuries (ATLI) is one of the most important roles of emergency physicians. In these situations, opioid addiction is an important concern because of the dependency on opioids. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of intravenous (IV) fentanyl versus morphine in reducing pain in patients with opioid addiction who suffered from ATLI. METHODS: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 307 patients with ATLI, who presented to the emergency department (ED) from February 2016 to April 2016, were randomly divided into two groups. One group (152 patients) received 0.1 mg/kg IV morphine. The other group (155 patients) received 1 mcg/kg IV fentanyl. Patients’ demographic data, pain score at specific intervals, vital signs, side effects, satisfaction and the need for rescue analgesia were recorded. RESULTS: Eight patients in the morphine group and five patients in the fentanyl group were excluded. Pain score in the fentanyl group had a significant decrease at 5-minute follow-up (P value=0.00). However, at 10, 30, and 60-minute follow-ups no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of pain score reduction. The rescue analgesia was required in 12 (7.7%) patients in the fentanyl group and in 48 (31.6%) patients in the morphine group (P value=0.00). No significant difference was observed regarding side effects, vital signs and patients’ satisfaction between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Fentanyl might be an effective and safe drug in opioid addicts suffering from ATLI.     

Iontophoretic delivery of morphine for postoperative analgesia.

Iontophoresis is a method of transdermal administration of ionized drugs in which electrically charged molecules are propelled through the skin by an external electrical field. This was a prospective, randomized, single-blind study to determine the effectiveness of iontophoretically delivered morphine HCl for the control of postoperative pain. Thirty-eight patients who underwent total knee or hip replacement completed this clinical trial. Informed consent was obtained before surgery and patients were instructed on the use of a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. Postoperatively, pain in the recovery room was initially controlled with IV meperidine, and thereafter with PCA therapy using meperidine, 2 mg/cc, with a dose of 10 mg IV and a lock-out period of 15 min. The dose was adjusted as necessary and the lock-out period remained the same. The number of patient requests and the dose (mg) administered was recorded hourly. On the morning following surgery, iontophoresis devices were attached for 6 hr to patients who received either morphine HCl or lactated ringers solution. During this period and for 12 hr following completion of iontophoresis, PCA analgesia remained available to patients. Venous blood samples for determination of morphine levels were obtained every 30 min during iontophoresis, then every 60 min for 2 hr following iontophoresis. Of the 38 patients, 17 received iontophoresed morphine, and 21 received iontophoresed lactated ringers. The morphine group utilized the PCA device more than the control group during the baseline period. However, following the institution of iontophoresis and continuing up to 12 hr following completion of iontophoresis, the morphine group used significantly less PCA meperidine to maintain analgesia than the control group (p = 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

No pain,no gain: clinical excellence and scientific rigour--lessons learned from IA morphine

The effectiveness of intra-articular (IA) morphine in arthroscopic procedures of the knee joint was analysed in all randomised and controlled trials that included injections of morphine and placebo into the knee joint, and where the data were analysable. Sensitivity of the studies and effectiveness were analysed for three different periods: immediate (0-2h), early (2-6h) and late (6-30h). Sensitivity for each period was assumed if pain intensity was at least 30% of the maximum of 100 on the visual analogue scale in the placebo group. Six different doses (1-10mg) of IA morphine were compared with placebo. The injections were made at the end of surgery, before the arthroscope was removed from the joint. In the immediate period 7/15 sensitive trials were positive, in the early period 8/12 sensitive trials were positive and in the late period 10/13 sensitive trials were positive. Most positive studies had used higher doses (3-5mg) compared with negative studies that had mainly used 1mg. Two studies using patient controlled analgesia consumption of analgesics as an outcome were also positive. The only sensitive study of four dose-response comparisons indicated that 5mg of IA morphine was more effective than 1mg. The only sensitive study of three cross-route comparisons showed no difference between 5mg of IA and 5mg of intra-muscular morphine. All insensitive trials, including placebo (except two individual comparisons), cross-route and dose-response comparisons, were negative. The analysis of sensitive studies indicates that 5mg of IA morphine injected into the knee joint provides postoperative pain relief for up to 24h. A minimum of 30% of the maximum possible pain intensity is needed for an analgesic effect to be detected in a study.     

Involvement of intra-articular corticotropin-releasing hormone in postoperative pain modulation

OBJECTIVES: Opioid receptors are expressed on peripheral nerve endings and opioid peptides (beta-endorphin, END) are produced in various immune cells of synovial tissue after knee trauma. Because corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) acts through its receptors on END-containing immune cells, this randomized controlled trial investigated whether the intra-articular (IA) injection of CRH reduces postoperative pain intensity and supplemental analgesic consumption in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to one of the following IA and IV treatments: group saline (SAL) (n=17) received isotonic SAL IA and 10 microg CRH IV; group CRH (n=16) received 10 microg CRH IA and SAL IV; group CNL (n=18) received 10 microg CRH plus 0.12 mg naloxone IA and SAL IV. Patients pain intensity at rest and during exercise, cortisol plasma concentrations as well as supplemental analgesics were documented. Immunohistochemistry analyzed colocalization of CRH receptors and END. RESULTS: IA but not IV CRH resulted in a significant but short lasting reduction of postoperative pain under both resting and exercise conditions without changes in cortisol plasma concentrations. Coadministration of naloxone reversed this pain reduction under resting but not exercise conditions. The majority of CRH receptor expressing cells contained END within synovial tissue. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, this first clinical trial provides preliminary evidence for a short but not robust analgesic effect of a single dose of IA CRH in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Further clinical studies will have to examine different doses of IA CRH-induced analgesia and to support the involvement of opioid peptides.     

Does the type of arthroscopic surgery modify the analgesic effect of intraarticular morphine and bupivacaine? A preliminary study

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the different analgesic response to intraarticular morphine and bupivacaine in different types of arthroscopic surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized and double-blinded. Fifty-three consecutive patients undergoing an arthroscopic knee procedure under general anesthesia. They were studied separately in 2 groups (types of surgery): (1) "Low inflammatory surgery": diagnostic arthroscopy, partial meniscectomy; and (2) "High inflammatory surgery": ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction, lateral release, patellar shaving and plicae removal. At the end of the procedure, patients were randomized to receive 25 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% with epinephrine (1/200,000), 5 mg of morphine, or saline (placebo) into the knee joint. Postoperative pain was determined through the visual analog scale (VAS). Supplemental analgesia (ketorolac) was administered via intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (i.v. PCA). Pain and requirements of analgesia were compared between bupivacaine, morphine, and placebo in each group of surgery. RESULTS: When considering only the "Low inflammatory" group of patients, those who received bupivacaine showed a lower postoperative pain score at 4 and 8 hours (P < 0.05). When considering only the "High inflammatory" group, the patients who received morphine showed a lower postoperative pain score at 24 hours and less requirements of ketorolac (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The analgesic effect of morphine and bupivacaine is different depending on the type of arthroscopic surgery. Intraarticular bupivacaine is effective in surgeries with a low inflammatory response. For surgeries with a higher inflammatory response, morphine has a better analgesic effect. Postoperative intraarticular analgesic therapy should be indicated according to the performed arthroscopic procedure.     

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。     

Preoperative lumbar epidural morphine improves postoperative analgesia and ventilatory function after transsternal thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that preoperative lumbar epidural morphine improves postoperative pain control and ventilatory function after transsternal thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis. DESIGN: The study design was randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind. SETTING: After surgery, all patients were admitted to the Neuroscience Critical Care Unit for evaluation and treatment. PATIENTS: All patients with myasthenia gravis who presented to the hospital for thymectomy were asked to participate in the study. Twenty patients were randomized to either the placebo or epidural morphine groups. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received either epidural morphine (7 mg in 14 mL of sterile saline) or saline (14 mL) before induction of anesthesia. Supplemental iv opioids were administered intraoperatively, with need determined by the anesthesiologist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were indicators of postoperative pain (e.g., Visual Analog Pain Score, requirement for supplemental opioid administration, respiratory rate) and ventilatory function (e.g., forced vital capacity, negative inspiratory pressure). RESULTS: Immediately after surgery, the Visual Analog Pain Score in the placebo group was twice as high as the score in the epidural morphine group (placebo 7.0 +/- 1.3; epidural morphine 3.5 +/- 1.2, p less than or equal to .05). During the first eight postoperative hours, the placebo group required more opioids (0.22 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.12 +/- 0.04 mg/kg morphine equivalents, p less than or equal to .06) than the epidural morphine group. Later, both groups received similar amounts of opioids. Patients receiving epidural morphine had better initial recovery of forced vital capacity (at 8 hrs: 55 +/- 6% [epidural morphine] vs. 34 +/- 5% [placebo] of preoperative value, p less than or equal to .05). Respiratory rate was lower for the first 12 postoperative hours in the epidural morphine group, without a difference in PaCO2. There was no difference between groups for the duration of postoperative intubation or ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative lumbar epidural morphine facilitates postoperative analgesia and improves initial postoperative ventilatory performance.     

Spinalanästhesie bei der Arthroskopie des Kniegelenks

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Intrathecal morphine provides effective postoperative analgesia but is associated with the risk of respiratory depression. A dose of only 0.1 mg has been shown to be optimal for effective and safe pain relief after abdominal surgery. This study was designed to determine whether the addition of 0.1 mg of morphine to the local anesthetic for spinal anesthesia produces adequate analgesia following arthroscopic knee joint surgery. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was performed. Forty ASA I/II patients undergoing knee arthroscopy under spinal anesthesia were randomized to receive either mepivacaine 4% with 0.1 mg of morphine or mepivacaine 4% with saline (placebo) intrathecally. Postoperative analgesia consisted of intravenous morphine delivered by patient-controlled analgesia (bolus: 2 mg, lockout time: 5 min). During the study period of 24 h, pain intensity at rest and on movement (visual analogue scale, 0: no pain, 100: maximum pain), vigilance, and vital parameters were recorded every hour. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in postoperative pain scores, morphine requirements, vigilance, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing frequency. The patients of the morphine group required 12.3+/-10.2 mg (mean+/-SD) and those of the placebo group 11.6+/-8.4 mg of intravenous morphine from patient-controlled analgesia. The pain scores at rest and on movement were 10.0+/-8.1 and 16.0+/-12.6 in the morphine group and 8.2+/-7.9 and 11.7+/-11.3 in the placebo group. We did not observe severe side effects in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Intrathecal administration of 0.1 mg of morphine does not contribute to postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic knee joint surgery.     

The efficacy of intrathecal morphine in post-thoracotomy pain management

This study compared the analgesic efficacy of intrathecal (IT) morphine plus IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine with IV PCA morphine alone in 33 patients undergoing thoracotomy randomized to two groups: the IT morphine group (n=17) received 10 microg/kg morphine 1 h before the end of surgery, while the control group (n=16) did not. All patients had access to an IV PCA pump post-operatively that delivered 2 mg morphine boluses. Post-operative pain and sedation scores, respiratory and haemodynamic parameters, and morphine demand and delivery were assessed up to 48 h. Post-operative pain scores and morphine consumption were significantly reduced, while peak expiratory flow rates were significantly increased in the IT morphine group compared with controls. We concluded that IT morphine in addition to IV PCA established superior analgesia and maintained better respiratory function compared with IV PCA alone in post-thoracotomy patients.     

Combined spinal-epidural analgesia vs. intermittent bolus epidural analgesia for pain relief after major abdominal surgery. A prospective, randomised, double-blind clinical trial

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of combined spinal-epidural (CSE) analgesia vs. intermittent bolus epidural analgesia (EA) for pain relief after major abdominal surgery. The secondary aim was to assess the effects of fentanyl addition to subarachnoid morphine and bupivacaine. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomised, double-blind trial; 160 patients scheduled for major abdominal surgery enrolled. All patients had a thoracic epidural catheter for administration of intra-operative and postoperative analgesia. Patients were assigned to one of four groups: (i) subarachnoid morphine, bupivacaine and fentanyl (MBF group); (ii) morphine and bupivacaine (MB group); (iii) morphine (M group) and (iv) normal saline (EA group). Use of additional intravenous (i.v.) fentanyl and epidural bupivacaine was recorded to measure the need for supplemental intra-operative analgesia. Pain at rest, with movement, and with cough (measured with a visual analogue scale), additional analgesia requests, and side effects were recorded over 72 h postoperatively. RESULTS: Compared with the EA group, the MBF group had significantly reduced pain with cough and lower analgesia requirements during the first 24 h (p<0.001) and after EA discontinuation (p=0.041). The MBF group required less intra-operative epidural bupivacaine compared with all other groups (p<0.001), and less intra-operative i.v. fentanyl compared with group M (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Combined spinal-epidural improved intra-operative analgesia and reduced pain with cough in the immediate postoperative period. The addition of fentanyl to subarachnoid morphine and bupivacaine decreased the need for additional i.v. fentanyl and epidural bupivacaine analgesia.     

Peroperative ketamine and morphine for postoperative pain control after lumbar disk surgery.

BACKGROUND: Ketamine, a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, may reduce postoperative opioid demand and improve postoperative analgesia. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients scheduled for lumbar disk surgery under general anaesthesia were enrolled in a randomised, double-blind study comparing three analgesic combinations that were started before surgical incision: morphine 0.1 mg kg(-1) alone (group M; n=23); ketamine 0.15 mg kg(-1) alone (group K; n=22); and a combination of morphine 0.1 mg kg(-1) with ketamine 0.15 mg kg(-1) (group KM; n=23). Postoperatively patient-controlled analgesia was provided with intravenous morphine. Morphine consumption was assessed during 24 H, and pain scores were measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and on mobilisation, during the first two postoperative days. RESULTS: In group KM, less i.v. morphine was administered in the post anaesthesia care unit than in group M (median [range]: 0mg [0-2] vs. 7 mg [6-9], P=0.009). Cumulative 24 H morphine consumption was reduced by 57% in group KM vs. group M, and by 48% in group KM vs. group K. Postoperative VAS scores were lower in group KM vs. groups K and M. Maximal VAS score on mobilization was reduced in group KM compared to groups K and M (38 mm [35-45] vs. 52 mm [48-59] and vs. 59 mm [55-64], in groups KM, K and M, respectively, P=0.05 and P=0.002). The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was decreased in group KM compared to group M (21.7% vs. 43.5%, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Ketamine small-dose, combined with morphine improves postoperative analgesia and reduces opioid-related side effects in lumbar disk surgery.     

布托啡诺与吗啡用于患者自控硬膜外术后镇痛的比较

目的:比较布托啡诺与吗啡在硬膜外术后镇痛的效果及不良反应。方法:选取80例择期硬膜外麻醉下行下肢手术患者,分成2组,分别予布托啡诺复合布比卡因(B组)和吗啡复合布比卡因(M组)硬膜外术后镇痛,记录术后4、8、24h视觉模拟评分(VAS评分)、呕吐、尿潴留及瘙痒发生率以及满意率。结果:2组患者术后的镇痛效果均满意,VAS评分<3分。呕吐发生率B组为7.5%,M组为22.5%,B组发生率较M组低。尿潴留发生率B组为7.5%,M组为55.0%,B组要低于M组。满意率B组为90.0%,M组为72.5%,B组的满意率要高。结论:布托啡诺复合布比卡因较吗啡复合布比卡因更适合于作为硬膜外术后镇痛配方。     

地塞米松对术后硬膜外吗啡引起恶心呕吐的预防作用

目的:评价地塞米松对硬膜外吗啡引起恶心呕吐的预防效果。方法:妇科肿瘤择期手术病人120例,随机双盲分为地塞米松(A)组、恩丹西酮(B)组、生理盐水(C)组三组,每组40人。当手术开始时,随机给予地塞米松10 mg或者恩丹西酮8 mg或者生理盐水2 mL。所有病人在手术结束前1 h均接受硬膜外吗啡2 mg,然后以0.125％布比卡因100 mL和吗啡0.12mg/kg维持硬膜外术后止痛48 h,评价镇痛效果、恶心呕吐。结果:A组和B组早期和晚期恶心呕吐发生率低于C组(P<0.05),而A组和B组无差别(P>0.05)。结论:地塞米松和恩丹西酮均能降低硬膜外吗啡引起的恶心呕吐,地塞米松对术后硬膜外吗啡引起的恶心呕吐有预防作用。     

芬太尼、吗啡分别联合罗哌卡因用于术后硬膜外镇痛的比较

目的：比较芬太尼、吗啡分别联合罗哌卡因用于术后硬膜外镇痛的效果及不良反应的发生率。方法：择期肿瘤手术患者150例随机分为Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组各50例。Ⅰ组给予吗啡60—80μg／mL复合0．125％罗哌卡因100mL硬外镇痛；Ⅱ组给予芬太尼5-6μg／mL复合0．125％罗哌卡因100mL硬外镇痛；Ⅲ组单纯给予芬太尼20μg／kg静脉镇痛。比较三组术后不同时点VAS评分、Ramsay评分以及不良反应的发生率。结果：VAS评分三组间比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；Ⅲ组在术后12h、24h、48h的Ramsay评分显著高于其他组（P〈0．05）；恶心、呕吐、皮肤瘙痒的发生率Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组均显著小于Ⅰ组（P〈0．05）；头晕、嗜睡的发生率Ⅰ、Ⅱ组显著低于Ⅲ组（P〈0．05）。结论：芬太尼联合低浓度罗哌卡因用于术后硬膜外镇痛效果确切、不良反应发生率少。     

Effect of preoperative oral sustained-release morphine sulfate on postoperative morphine requirements in elective spine surgery

Sustained-release morphine sulfate (SRMS) is a painkiller used in oncology. The purpose of our study was to assess its efficacy on postoperative morphine requirements in elective spine surgery. This was a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study. Adults scheduled for spine surgery under general anesthesia were orally administered SRMS (30 mg) or a placebo 2 h before surgery. Primary endpoint was postoperative cumulated morphine consumption through patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) during the 12 h following extubation. Statistical analysis was performed using a sequential method, the triangular test. The study was stopped after the sixth analysis (51 patients had been included; placebo: 26, SRMS: 25). Age, weight, sex ratio, type of surgery, intra-operative sufentanil consumption, anesthesia duration and time to extubation were similar in the two groups. Morphine consumption through PCA during the 12 h following extubation was significantly lower in the SRMS group (mean +/- SD: 10.5 +/- 7.6 mg) compared with placebo group (15.6 +/- 6.0 mg, P = 0.016, sequential analysis). Corresponding unbiased median estimates were 10.6 and 15.8 mg in SRMS and placebo groups, respectively. Morphine consumption through PCA during the 24 h following extubation was also significantly lower in the SRMS group (15.9 +/- 12.7 mg) compared with the placebo group (23.8 +/- 10.9 mg, P = 0.032). Vigilance, nausea and respiratory rate 3 and 6 h after extubation were similar in the two groups. A preoperative oral administration of SRMS (30 mg) induces a 33% reduction of postoperative morphine requirements in patients scheduled for spine surgery without inducing side effects.     

Intrathecal morphine compared with diamorphine for postoperative analgesia following unilateral knee arthroplasty

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and side effects of low dose intrathecal morphine and diamorphine for postoperative analgesia after total knee arthroplasty.Methods: Sixty-four patients were included in a prospective, randomised, double-blind study. Following a standardised general anaesthetic technique, patients received either 0.3 mg of intrathecal morphine or diamorphine with 2–2.5 ml of 0.5% heavy spinal bupivacaine. Supplementary analgesia was provided postoperatively by regular eight hourly diclofenac and patient controlled IV morphine (bolus 1 mg, lockout 5 min, no background infusion).Results: Patients in the morphine group had significantly lower median numerical rating score (NRS) for pain on movement at 4 h [0 versus 3.5] (P=0.0008) and 8 h [0 versus 4] (P=0.0083). In addition, median PCA morphine consumption was significantly reduced at 4 h [0 versus 1] (P=0.0005), 8 h [0.5 versus 6] (P=0.0063) and 12 h [3 versus 8.5] (P=0.0426) in the morphine group. There was no significant difference in the total morphine consumption or NRS for pain at 24 h between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the incidence of side effects between the two groups.Conclusion: In the doses used in this study, morphine produced more effective analgesia than diamorphine in the early postoperative period with comparable side effects [Acute Pain 4 (1) (2001) 7].     

Does co-treatment with ultra-low-dose naloxone and morphine provide better analgesia in renal colic patients?

ObjectiveThis study attempted to evaluate the efficacy of ultra-low-dose intravenous (IV) naloxone combined with IV morphine, as compared to IV morphine alone, in terms of reducing pain and morphine-induced side effects in patients with renal colic.MethodsIn this double-blind clinical trial, 150 patients aged 34 to 60 years old who presented to the emergency department (ED) with renal colic were randomly allocated to either an intervention group that received ultra-low-dose IV naloxone combined with IV morphine or to a control group that received morphine plus a placebo. The severity of pain, sedation, and nausea were assessed and recorded for all patients at entrance to the ED (T1), then at 20 (T2), 40 (T3), 60 (T4), 120 (T5), and 180 (T6) minutes after starting treatment. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) was used for the assessment of pain and nausea intensities, and the Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) was used to assess sedation.ResultsA GEE model revealed that patients in the naloxone group had non-significantly reduced pain scores compared to those in the morphine group (coefficient = ?0.68; 95% CI: ?1.24 to ?0.11, Wald X2 (1) = 5.41, p = 0.02). The sedation outcome demonstrated no statistically significant differences at T1 to T4 among patients with renal colic compared to the ones who only received morphine. At T5 and T6, 1.5% vs. 20% and 1.5% vs. 16.9% of subjects from the naloxone group versus the morphine group obtained RSS scores equal to 3, respectively (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively).ConclusionsCompared to patients who only received IV morphine, co-treatment of ultra-low-dose naloxone with morphine could not provide better analgesia and sedation/agitation states in renal colic patients.     

不同镇痛方法用于肝癌患者术后镇痛效果的临床比较

目的比较硬膜外自控镇痛和静脉自控镇痛用于肝癌术后镇痛的临床效果。方法60例ASAⅠ-Ⅱ级肝癌患者分为两组,每组30例。Ⅰ组为静脉复合全麻,术后经静脉曲马多（12mg／kg）自控镇痛;Ⅱ组为静脉复合全麻联合胸部硬膜外阻滞,术后硬膜外吗啡5mg＋布比卡因100mg自控镇痛,用视觉模拟评分（VAS）判定术后镇痛效果。结果两组手术患者均有较好的术后镇痛效果,Ⅰ组患者的VAS评分于术后各时点分别明显高于相对应的Ⅱ组的VAS评分（P〈0．05）。结论硬膜外镇痛是肝癌患者术后较为合适的的镇痛方法。     

An experience with epidural morphine in lumbar surgery patients

A chart review of the patients who received epidural morphine for lumbar surgery during the first year of implementation of the procedure was conducted. This article reviews the pharmacology and side effects of epidural morphine, describes the procedure of administering epidural morphine, discusses side effects and technical problems encountered, and presents implications for nursing practice.