ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) is now performed in adults. Managing adult patients' pain postoperatively has been challenging due to increased chest wall rigidity and the pressure required for supporting the elevated sternum. The optimal pain management regimen has not been determined. We designed this prospective, randomized trial to compare postoperative pain management and outcomes between thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) and bilateral subcutaneous infusion pump catheters (On-Q). METHODS: Patients undergoing MIRPE (modified Nuss) underwent random assignment to TEA or On-Q group. Both groups received intravenous, patient-controlled opioid analgesia, with concomitant delivery of local anesthetic. Primary outcomes were length of stay (LOS), opioid use, and pain scores. RESULTS: Of 85 randomly assigned patients, 68 completed the study [52 men, 76.5%; mean (range) age, 32.2 (20.0-58.0) years; Haller index, 5.9 (range, 3.0-26.7)]. The groups were equally matched for preoperative variables; however, the On-Q arm had more patients (60.3%). No significant differences were found between groups in mean daily pain scores (P=0.52), morphine-equivalent opioid usage (P=0.28), or hospital stay 3.5 vs. 3.3 days (TEA vs. On-Q; P=0.55). Thirteen patients randomized to TEA refused the epidural and withdrew from the study because they perceived greater benefit of the On-Q system. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative pain management in adults after MIRPE can be difficult. Both continuous local anesthetic delivery by TEA and On-Q catheters with concomitant, intravenous, patient-controlled anesthesia maintained acceptable analgesia with a reasonable LOS. In our cohort, there was preference for the On-Q system for pain management.
ABSTRACT
A 61-year-old Caucasian woman was transported to the emergency department after intentionally ingesting several different prescription drugs. She had been found by her husband in an unconscious state with empty bottles of extended-release venlafaxine, extended-release nifedipine, sertraline, and atorvastatin. She was intubated in the emergency department and transferred to the intensive care unit. After 36 hours in the intensive care unit, she was stabilized and brought to a general medical ward. She later developed profound recurrent hypotension with systolic blood pressures ranging from 40-70 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressures of 0-40 mm Hg. She was readmitted to the intensive care unit, where a computed tomography scan revealed a mass in her stomach. A gastroenterology consultation was obtained, and an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed, during which a large drug bezoar was discovered and removed. The drugs were identified as extended-release nifedipine with a few granules of extended-release venlafaxine. Unfortunately, the patient died 3 days after the EGD from multisystem organ failure related to the overdose. Clinicians who encounter drug overdoses should be aware of the possibility of drug bezoar formation and should consider endoscopic removal as a potential treatment option.
