Perioperative effects of oral ketorolac and acetaminophen in children undergoing bilateral myringotomy

Prophylactic administration of analgesics before surgery can decrease the intraoperative anaesthetic requirement and decrease pain during the early postoperative period. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 90 healthy ASA physical status I or II children undergoing bilateral myringotomy, we compared the postoperative analgesic effects of oral acetaminophen and ketorolac, when administered 30 min before induction of anaesthesia. Patients were randomized to receive saline (0.1 ml.kg-1), acetaminophen (10 mg.kg-1) or ketorolac (1 mg.kg-1) diluted in cherry syrup to a total volume of 5 ml. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with halothane and nitrous oxide via a face mask. Postoperative pain was assessed by a blinded observer using an objective pain scale. The three study groups were similar with respect to demographic data, duration of anaesthesia and surgery, induction behaviour, oxygen saturation, incidence of postoperative emesis and, recovery times. The ketorolac group had lower postoperative pain scores and required less frequent analgesic therapy in the early postoperative period compared with the acetaminophen and placebo groups. In contrast, there were no differences in pain scores or analgesic requirements between the acetaminophen and the placebo groups. We conclude that the preoperative administration of oral ketorolac, but not acetaminophen, provided better postoperative pain control than placebo in children undergoing bilateral myringotomy.     

Comparison of the costs and recovery profiles of three anesthetic techniques for ambulatory anorectal surgery

BACKGROUND: Given the current practice environment, it is important to determine the anesthetic technique with the highest patient acceptance and lowest associated costs. The authors compared three commonly used anesthetic techniques for anorectal procedures in the ambulatory setting. METHODS: Ninety-three consenting adult outpatients undergoing anorectal surgery were randomly assigned to one of three anesthetic treatment groups: group 1 received local infiltration with a 30-ml mixture containing 15 ml lidocaine, 2%, and 15 ml bupivacaine, 0.5%, with epinephrine (1:200,000) in combination with intravenous sedation using a propofol infusion, 25-100 microg. kg-1. min-1; group 2 received a spinal subarachnoid block with a combination of 30 mg lidocaine and 20 microg fentanyl with midazolam, 1-2-mg intravenous bolus doses; and group 3 received general anesthesia with 2.5 mg/kg propofol administered intravenously and 0.5-2% sevoflurane in combination with 65% nitrous oxide. In groups 2 and 3, the surgeon also administered 10 ml of the previously described local anesthetic mixture at the surgical site before the skin incision. RESULTS: The mean costs were significantly decreased in group 1 ($69 +/- 20 compared with $104 +/- 18 and $145 +/- 25 in groups 2 and 3, respectively) because both intraoperative and recovery costs were lowest (P < 0.05). Although the surgical time did not differ among the three groups, the anesthesia time and times to oral intake and home-readiness were significantly shorter in group 1 (vs. groups 2 and 3). There was no significant difference among the three groups with respect to the postoperative side effects or unanticipated hospitalizations. However, the need for pain medication was less in groups 1 and 2 (19% and 19% vs. 45% for group 3; P < 0.05). Patients in group 1 had no complaints of nausea (vs. 3% and 26% in groups 2 and 3, respectively). More patients in group 1 (68%) were highly satisfied with the care they received than in groups 2 (58%) and 3 (39%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of local anesthesia with sedation is the most cost-effective technique for anorectal surgery in the ambulatory setting.     

Cost-efficacy of rofecoxib versus acetaminophen for preventing pain after ambulatory surgery

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are commonly administered as part of a multimodal regimen for pain management in the ambulatory setting. This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study was designed to compare the analgesic effect of oral rofecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, and acetaminophen when administered alone or in combination prior to outpatient otolaryngologic surgery. METHODS: A total of 143 healthy outpatients undergoing elective otolaryngologic surgery were assigned to one of four study groups: group 1 = control (500 mg vitamin C); group 2 = 2 g acetaminophen; group 3 = 50 mg rofecoxib; or group 4 = 2 g acetaminophen and 50 mg rofecoxib. The first oral dose of the study medication was taken 15-45 min before surgery, and a second dose of the same medication was administered on the morning after surgery. Recovery times, side effects, and the need for rescue analgesics were recorded. Follow-up evaluations were performed at 24 and 48 h after surgery to assess postdischarge pain, analgesic requirements, nausea, and patient satisfaction with their postoperative pain management and quality of recovery. Peak pain scores and the need for rescue analgesic medication were used as the endpoints for estimating efficacy of the study drugs, while cost to achieve complete satisfaction with analgesia was used in the cost-effectiveness analysis. RESULTS: Premedication with rofecoxib (50 mg) was significantly more effective than either placebo or acetaminophen (2 g) in reducing the peak postoperative pain, the need for analgesic medication, and improving the quality of recovery and patient satisfaction. Moreover, the addition of acetaminophen failed to improve its analgesic efficacy. An expenditure for rofecoxib of 16.76 US dollars (95% confidence interval, 7.89 to 21.03 US dollars) and 30.24 US dollars (95% confidence interval, 5.25 to 54.20 US dollars) would obtain complete satisfaction with pain control in one additional patient who would not have been satisfied if placebo or acetaminophen, respectively, had been administered prior to surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Rofecoxib, 50 mg administered orally, decreased postoperative pain and the need for analgesic rescue medication after otolaryngologic surgery. The addition of 2 g oral acetaminophen failed to improve its analgesic efficacy.     

Epidural versus general anesthesia for twin-twin transfusion syndrome requiring fetal surgery

OBJECTIVES: This paper describes our experiences with epidural and general anesthesia for selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (SFLP) of placental vascular anastomoses in patients with severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). METHODS: Retrospective review of 29 anesthetic and surgical operative records of 28 women undergoing SFLP at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia from July 1996 to June 2001. RESULTS: Patients with anterior placentas were more likely to receive a general anesthetic. Patients receiving an epidural anesthetic received significantly more intravenous (i.v.) crystalloid but less i.v. fentanyl than those receiving a general or combined technique. CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of general anesthesia include increased ability of the patient to tolerate extreme positions and the surgical manipulation of the uterus (required in the technically more difficult cases), greater uterine relaxation, decreased use of i.v. fluids, but increased fentanyl requirements. Epidural anesthesia avoids the risks of failed tracheal intubation in pregnant women but may not reduce fetal responses to surgical stimuli unless the mother receives supplemental intravenous drugs. However, this may increase the risk of respiratory depression. The choice of anesthetic technique for SFLP in patients with severe TTTS must be made after careful consideration of maternal and fetal factors.     

Effects of halothane on intraocular pressure in anesthetized children

Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements in children are usually performed under nitrous oxide and halothane anesthesia. We studied the effects of both time and end-tidal halothane concentration on IOP in 80 children (mean age +/- SD = 4.5 +/- 2.9 yr), to determine the most optimal time to make such measurements in anesthetized children. In 30 children the end-tidal halothane and nitrous oxide concentrations were kept constant while IOP was measured at 1-min intervals after the induction of anesthesia. Intraocular pressure did not change with time. In another 50 children IOP was measured immediately after induction, after 10 min of steady-state end-tidal halothane concentrations of both 0.5% and 1.0% in 66% nitrous oxide, and immediately after tracheal intubation. Intraocular pressure did not differ significantly at either halothane concentration but increased after tracheal intubation. We conclude that in patients anesthetized with halothane and nitrous oxide, IOP after induction remains constant over time and is not affected by end-tidal halothane concentrations up to 1.0% but is affected by tracheal intubation. Thus, the optimal time to measure IOP in children receiving up to 1% halothane in 66% nitrous oxide is during the first 10 min after induction, but before tracheal intubation.     

Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia guidelines for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting

The present guidelines were compiled by a multidisciplinary international panel of individuals with interest and expertise in postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) under the auspices of The Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia. The panel critically evaluated the current medical literature on PONV to provide an evidence-based reference tool for the management of adults and children who are undergoing surgery and are at increased risk for PONV. In brief, these guidelines identify risk factors for PONV in adults and children; recommend approaches for reducing baseline risks for PONV; identify the most effective antiemetic monotherapy and combination therapy regimens for PONV prophylaxis; recommend approaches for treatment of PONV when it occurs; and provide an algorithm for the management of individuals at increased risk for PONV.