Comparative Randomized Study Between Pulsed Radiofrequency and Suprascapular Nerve Block for the Treatment of Chronic Shoulder Pain.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to compare pain intensity after pulsed radiofrequency (RF) or suprascapular nerve block for the treatment of chronic shoulder pain. The secondary objectives were to compare the shoulder range of motion and supplementary analgesic requirement. METHODS: This randomized and prospective study included 40 patients, with chronic shoulder pain allocated into 2 groups. One group underwent pulsed RF, and the other group was submitted to block (B) of the suprascapular nerve, guided by ultrasound. They were assessed for 12 weeks regarding pain intensity, the need for analgesia supplementation, and shoulder range of motion. Side effects were recorded. RESULTS: Pain intensity on movement was lower in the RF group after 2, 4, and 8 weeks. At rest, pain intensity was lower in group RF than in group B after 12 weeks. Pain intensity was lower than before the procedure at all times evaluated, in both groups. There was no difference between groups in the range of motion. There was a need for tramadol supplementation in 1 patient in group RF and 2 in group B. Adverse effects observed were local pain (RF: 1), hematoma (RF: 1; B: 1), and lipothymia (B: 2). DISCUSSION: Pulsed RF on the suprascapular nerve promoted an analgesic effect for 12 weeks. Regarding the intensity of pain on movement and at rest, there was a trend toward a better effect with RF than with nerve blockage treatment. In both groups, there was a reduction in pain intensity without serious adverse effects.

Tramadol wound infiltration is not different from intravenous tramadol in children: a randomized controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this trial was to assess if tramadol wound infiltration is superior to intravenous (IV) tramadol after minor surgical procedures in children because tramadol seems to have local anesthetic-like effect. DESIGN: Randomized double-blind controlled trial. SETTING: Postanesthesia care unit. PATIENTS: Forty children, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, scheduled to elective inguinal hernia repair. INTERVENTIONS: Children were randomly distributed in 1 of 2 groups: IV tramadol (group 1) or subcutaneous infiltration with tramadol (group 2). At the end of the surgery, group 1 received 2 mg/kg tramadol (3 mL) by IV route and 3-mL saline into the surgical wound; group 2 received 2 mg/kg tramadol (3 mL) into the surgical wound and 3-mL saline by IV route. MEASUREMENTS: In the postanesthesia care unit, patients were evaluated for pain intensity, nausea and vomiting, time to first rescue medication, and total rescue morphine and dipyrone consumption. MAIN RESULTS: Pain scores measured during the postanesthesia recovery time were similar between groups. Time to first rescue medication was shorter, but not statistically significant in the IV group. The total dose of rescue morphine and dipyrone was also similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that tramadol was effective in reducing postoperative pain in children, and there was no difference in pain intensity, nausea and vomiting, or somnolence regarding IV route or wound infiltration.

Analgesia após embolização de artéria uterina para tratamento de mioma / Analgesia after uterine artery embolization for the treatment of myoma

Justificativa e objetivos: A embolização da artéria uterina é um procedimento que pode causar dor intensa. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia da analgesia por via peridural em infusão ou bolo, associada a dipirona e cetoprofeno no tratamento da dor após embolização da artéria uterina. Método: Foram investigadas 26 pacientes ASA-I ou II submetidas a anestesia peridural. Após embolização as pacientes do G-1 receberam por via peridural, bolo de 5 ml de solução (bupivacaína 0,1% e fentanila 10 mg.mL-1) a cada 4 horas, e as do G-2 infusão de 2,5 mL.h-1 de solução (bupivacaína 0,1% e fentanila 5 mg.mL-1) por meio de bomba de infusão. Todas receberam cetoprofeno (100 mg/8 h IV), dipirona (1 g/4 horas IV) e dose complementar de solução analgésica peridural (bupivacaína a 0,1% e fentanila 10 mcg/mL) até 2 vezes/4 horas; havendo necessidade recebiam tramadol (100 mg) por via venosa. Durante 36 horas foram avaliados intensidade da dor através de escala analógica visual, quantidade de analgésico complementar e efeitos colaterais. Resultados: Foram excluídas duas pacientes, uma de cada grupo, por perda de cateter. As médias da intensidade da dor pela escala analógica visual foram nos momentos M4, M6, M8, M16, M20, M24, M28, M32 e M36, foram semelhantes com diferença em M10 e M12. Não houve diferença no número de complementações por via peridural e com tramadol. Ocorreram náusea, vômito, prurido e dificuldade para urinar. Conclusões: A eficácia de bolo ou infusão de solução (bupivacaína associada a fentanila) por via peridural, associada a dipirona e cetoprofeno por via venosa, foi semelhante para analgesia após embolização de artéria uterina para mioma.