Intravenous Opioid Medication with Piritramide Reduces the Risk of Pneumothorax During CT-Guided Percutaneous Core Biopsy of the Lung.

PURPOSE: CT-guided percutaneous core biopsy of the lung is usually performed under local anesthesia, but can also be conducted under additional systemic opioid medication. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the effect of intravenous piritramide application on the pneumothorax rate and to identify risk factors for post-biopsy pneumothorax. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seventy-one core biopsies of the lung were included in this retrospective single center study. The incidence of pneumothorax and chest tube placement was evaluated. Patient-, procedure- and target-related variables were analyzed by univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The overall incidence of pneumothorax was 39.2% (67/171). The pneumothorax rate was 31.5% (29/92) in patients who received intravenous piritramide and 48.1% (38/79) in patients who did not receive piritramide. In multivariable logistic regression analysis periinterventional piritramide application proved to be the only independent factor to reduce the risk of pneumothorax (odds ratio 0.46, 95%-confidence interval 0.24, 0.88; p = 0.018). Two or more pleura passages (odds ratio 3.38, 95%-confidence interval: 1.15, 9.87; p = 0.026) and prone position of the patient (odds ratio 2.27, 95%-confidence interval: 1.04, 4.94; p = 0.039) were independent risk factors for a higher pneumothorax rate. CONCLUSION: Procedural opioid medication with piritramide proved to be a previously undisclosed factor decreasing the risk of pneumothorax associated with CT-guided percutaneous core biopsy of the lung. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4: small study cohort.

Bupivacaine infiltration in children for postoperative analgesia after tonsillectomy: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Adenotonsillectomy is a frequently performed procedure in paediatric day-case surgery. Postoperative pain can be significant and standard analgesia protocols are often insufficient. OBJECTIVE: Our primary objective was to investigate if infiltration of the peritonsillar space with bupivacaine would reduce the need for postoperative opioids compared with pre-emptive intravenous tramadol. DESIGN: A double-blind, randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Ambulatory surgical day care centre, University Hospitals of Leuven, Belgium, from January 2012 to September 2016. PATIENTS: Two hundred children, between 4 and 10 years old, undergoing elective adenotonsillectomy were included in the study. INTERVENTION: Children were randomly allocated to receive either a bolus of 3 mg kg intravenous tramadol or infiltration of the tonsillar lodge with 5-ml bupivacaine 0.25%. Reasons for exclusion were American Society of Anesthesiologists classification greater than 2, allergies to the investigated products, psychomotor retardation, bleeding disorders and lack of proficiency in Flemish. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was the number of children in need of piritramide postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the cumulative dose of postoperative piritramide, pain scores and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting during the first 24 postoperative hours, time to discharge and adverse effects. RESULTS: The proportion of children in need of postoperative piritramide was significantly lower in the tramadol group than in children with peritonsillar infiltration (57 vs. 81%, P < 0.001). When in need of postoperative piritramide, the tramadol-group required a significantly lower dose (median [IQR] 0.7 [0.6 to 1] vs. 1 [0.6 to 1.5] mg, P < 0.007) and had lower pain scores during the first 60 min after surgery. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative nausea and vomiting incidence, need for antiemetics or complications. CONCLUSION: Compared with peritonsillar infiltration, preemptive intravenous tramadol decreases the need for postoperative opioids after tonsillectomy in children without increasing the incidence of side effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT 2011-005467-25.

A comparison of sufentanil vs. remifentanil in fast-track cardiac surgery patients.

We retrospectively compared patients receiving remifentanil with patients receiving sufentanil undergoing fast-track cardiac surgery. After 1:1 propensity score matching there were 609 patients in each group. The sufentanil group had a significantly longer mean (SD) ventilation time compared with the remifentanil group; 122 (59) vs. 80 (44) min, p < 0.001 and longer mean (SD) length of stay in the recovery area; 277 (77) vs. 263 (78) min, p = 0.002. The sufentanil group had a lower mean (SD) visual analogue pain score than the remifentanil group; 1.5 (1.2) vs. 2.4 (1.5), p < 0.001 and consumed less mean (SD) piritramide (an opioid analgesic used in our hospital); 2.6 (4.7) vs. 18.9 (7.3) mg, p < 0.001. The results of our study show that although remifentanil was more effective in reducing time to tracheal extubation and length of stay in the recovery area, there was an increased requirement for postoperative analgesia when remifentanil was used.

Intrathecal Morphine for Laparoscopic Segmental Colonic Resection as Part of an Enhanced Recovery Protocol: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Management of postoperative pain after laparoscopic segmental colonic resections remains controversial. We compared 2 methods of analgesia within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program. The goal of the study was to investigate whether administration of intrathecal bupivacaine/morphine would lead to an enhanced recovery. METHODS: A single-center, randomized, double-blind controlled trial was performed (NL43488.101.13). Patients scheduled for laparoscopic segmental intestinal resections were considered. Exclusion criteria were patients in whom contraindications to spinal anesthesia were present, conversion to open surgery, and gastric and rectal surgery. The intervention group received single-shot intrathecal bupivacaine/morphine (12.5 mg/300 µg), with an altered dose for older patients. The control group received a sham procedure and a bolus of piritramide (0.1 mg/kg). Both groups received standardized general anesthesia and a patient-controlled intravenous analgesia pump as postoperative analgesia. All patients were treated according to an ERAS protocol. A decrease in days to "fit for discharge" was the primary outcome. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were enrolled. Intervention group patients were fit for discharge earlier (median of 3 vs 4 days, P = 0.044). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in opioid use and lower pain scores on the first postoperative day in the intervention group. There were no differences in adverse events (except for more pruritus), time to mobilization, fluid administration, or patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized controlled trial shows that intrathecal morphine is a more effective method of postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic surgery than intravenous opioids within an ERAS program. Recovery is faster and less painful with intrathecal morphine. Other studies have confirmed these results, although data on faster recovery are new and require confirmation in future trials. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02284282.

Comparison of incisional and epidural analgesia in the treatment of postoperative pain after cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of incisional and epidural analgesia in the treatment of postoperative pain after cesarean sectio. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study in the period from 2015 to 2016. SETTING: Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Masaryk University, University Hospital Brno. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The group included 72 patients in the 38th-41st. week of pregnancy. They were divided at the time of indication to the cesarean section (SC) into two groups according to the selected type of analgesia (epidural/incisional). Women with epidural analgesia (EA) received bupivacaine and sufentanil after surgery in the epidural catheter. A second group was patients during general anesthesia SC introduced into the surgical wound IA Painfusor which was continuously administered bupivacaine. The intensity of the patients pain was evaluated on the visual analogue scale (VAS). If the VAS exceeded 4, the dose of the opioid analgesic piritramide (additional dose of DDA analgesic) was administered intravenously. The intensity of pain and the number of DDAs required were evaluated 24 hours after SC. Satisfaction with pain relief, sleep quality, and patient side effects were assessed using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Patients in the EA group (n = 36) evaluated postoperative pain (PB) value of 4.4 ± 1.8 according to VAS, women in group IA (n = 36) reported a PB according to VAS of 4.4 ± 1.3 (p = 0.972). The difference in the number of applied DDA was not statistically significant compared groups (2.3 ± 0.9 EA vs. 2.4 ± 0.9 IA, p = 0.301). By comparing the other parameters evaluated by the questionnaire statistically significant more vertigo cases were found in women with IA (22.2% EA vs. 72.2% IA, p < 0.001). In the other evaluated parameters the differences between the two methods were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Epidural and incisional analgesia are comparable methods in the effectiveness of pain management during the first day of the cesarean section. Except for vertigo, both methods were also comparable in terms of the occurrence of undesirable effects.

The effects of minimal-dose versus low-dose S-ketamine on opioid consumption, hyperalgesia, and postoperative delirium: a triple-blinded, randomized, active- and placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Evidence confirms that perioperative ketamine administration decreases opioid usage. To reduce the risk for potential psychodysleptic side effects, however, ketamine dosing tends to be limited to low-dose regimens. We hypothesized that even lower doses of ketamine would be sufficient, with minimal side effects, when used as a component of multimodal perioperative pain management. METHODS: In this triple-blinded, randomized, active- and placebo-controlled clinical trial, patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery were randomized to one of three treatment groups: low-dose S-ketamine (a 0.25 mg/kg bolus and 0.125 mg/kg/h infusion for 48 hours), minimal-dose S-ketamine (a 0.015 mg/kg/h infusion following a saline bolus), and placebo (saline bolus and infusion). Opioid consumption, pain levels, hyperalgesia at the incision site, and delirium scores were assessed 48 h postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients in the placebo group had the highest cumulative piritramide consumption and the largest normalized areas of hyperalgesia at the incisional site, while those in the low-dose group had the highest delirium scores. Postoperative pain levels did not differ significantly between the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that minimal-dose S-ketamine was comparable to the conventional low-dose regimen in reducing postoperative opioid consumption and hyperalgesia. Postoperative delirium, however, was less frequent with the minimal-dose regimen. We therefore suggest that minimal-dose S-ketamine may be a useful low-risk component of balanced perioperative analgesia.

Intraoperative administered tramadol reduces the need for piritramide in the immediate postoperative period in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy: A retrospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Adenotonsillectomy is a frequently performed procedure in pediatric day-case surgery causing significant pain for which adequate analgesia is required. Our aim was to investigate if the intraoperative administration of IV tramadol decreases the need for postoperative pain medication in children. Because tramadol has well-known pro-emetic effects, we also assessed the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study in 314 children aged 1-13 years undergoing elective adenotonsillectomy. We identified 160 children who had received standard pain medication consisting of IV paracetamol and ketorolac and compared them with a group of 154 children who had received in addition a perioperative infusion of tramadol. RESULTS: 32.5% of the patients in the tramadol group versus 83.8% of the patients in the standard group required postoperative administration of piritramide (p < 0.0001). Groups did not differ with respect to the postoperative need for anti-emetics but in the tramadol group more patients had received prophylactic therapy with odansetron or dexamethasone (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results of this retrospective study indicate that intraoperative tramadol administration in combination with prophylactic antiemetic therapy decreases the need for piritramide in the immediate postoperative period without increasing the incidence of PONV after tonsillectomy in children.

Comparing cold-air analgesia, systemically administered analgesia and scalp nerve blocks for pain management during photodynamic therapy for actinic keratosis of the scalp presenting as field cancerization: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using methyl aminolaevulinate (MAL) is an effective treatment for extensive actinic keratosis (AK). However, pain is a major side-effect of this therapy. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether scalp nerve blocks (group 1) provide adequate pain relief during MAL-PDT of the scalp and forehead in 32 men with baldness. METHODS: The patients received intravenous (IV) analgesia [piritramide 7.5 mg IV, plus oral metamizole (40 drops 30 min prior to PDT)] in combination with cold-air analgesia (group 2; IV analgesia) and cold-air analgesia alone (group 3). Maximum pain was evaluated by means of a visual analogue scale (VAS) during and up to 300 min after PDT. Pain during PDT was further analysed according to a pain perception scale. Furthermore, we measured haemodynamics and investigated stress hormone levels in blood samples at different time points. RESULTS: Maximum pain during PDT (primary end point) was significantly reduced in the treatment group receiving scalp nerve blocks (VAS 2.1 ± 1.3) compared with the treatment groups receiving IV analgesia (VAS 7.3 ± 1.1) and cold-air analgesia (VAS 8.4 ± 2.0; P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between groups 2 and 3 with regard to pain relief (P = 0.32). The increase in systolic blood pressure during the first 3 min of PDT was significantly lower for group 1 than for groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.001). No correlation between stress hormone levels and pain were found. CONCLUSIONS: Scalp nerve blocks provide an effective method for pain management during PDT for patients with extensive AK.

[Piritramide versus oxycodone for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia. Opioid-induced side effects]. / Patientenkontrollierte i.v.-Analgesie mit Piritramid vs. Oxycodon. Opiatinduzierte Nebenwirkungen.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare the opioid piritramide (7.5 mg/ml) which is commonly used in Germany (equipotential 5 mg morphine) to oxycodone (10 mg/ml) when given for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) in surgical disciplines, such as general surgery, orthopedic surgery, trauma surgery and gynecological surgery. Typical side effects of the respective opioids and safety of the procedures were compared. Oxycodone is available both as parenteral and oral formulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the acute pain service during patient-controlled analgesia were evaluated. Quantitative data regarding opioid consumption and typical opioid side effects as well as qualitative results of patient satisfaction were recorded and evaluated for the respective specialist disciplines. RESULTS: Between 1 April 2005 and 31 August 2007 (35 months) 2,231 patients were treated with piritramide PCIA (PPCIA) and between 1 September 2007 and 31 December 2012 (64 months) 4,714 patients were treated with oxycodone PCIA (OPCIA). Patient satisfaction: overall, patients in both groups rated PCIA as very good or good with a higher percentage (98.9 %) in the oxycodone group than in the piritramide group (96.7 %) and 0.3 % of patients were only moderately satisfied or dissatisfied with the therapy. Typical side effects of opioids: the rate of side effects in the oxycodone group (6.7 %) was approximately 50 % lower compared with the piritramide treatment group (12.7 %). Nausea: with approximately 4 % in the piritramide group across all 4 specialties the incidence of nausea was markedly higher in the piritramide group than in the oxycodone group; however, this difference was statistically significant only for general and orthopedic surgery. Vomiting: vomiting was reported in about 6 % (mean) for PPCIA and significantly less frequently in 2 % (mean) for OPCIA. Fatigue and somnolence: these two side effects typically seen with opioid PCIA occurred only very rarely in a total of 1 % of all patients. In the PPCIA group the incidence was 1 % as directly compared to the significantly lower incidence of 0.6 % in the OPCIA group. CONCLUSION: The direct comparison of piritramide and oxycodone showed advantages for oxycodone in terms of typical opioid side effects. The effectiveness of analgesia was comparable in both groups.

A specialized post anaesthetic care unit improves fast-track management in cardiac surgery: a prospective randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: Fast-track treatment in cardiac surgery has become the global standard of care. We compared the efficacy and safety of a specialised post-anaesthetic care unit (PACU) to a conventional intensive care unit (ICU) in achieving defined fast-track end-points in adult patients after elective cardiac surgery. METHODS: In a prospective, single blinded, randomized study, 200 adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), valve surgery or combined CABG and valve surgery), were selected to receive their postoperative treatment either in the ICU (n = 100), or in the PACU (n = 100). Patients who, at the time of surgery, were in cardiogenic shock, required renal dialysis, or had an additive EuroSCORE of more than 10 were excluded from the study. The primary end points were: time to extubation (ET), and length of stay in the PACU or ICU (PACU/ICU LOS respectively). Secondary end points analysed were the incidences of: surgical re-exploration, development of haemothorax, new onset cardiac arrhythmia, low cardiac output syndrome, need for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, stroke, acute renal failure, and death. RESULTS: Median time to extubation was 90 [50; 140] min in the PACU vs. 478 [305; 643] min in the ICU group (P < 0.001). Median length of stay in PACU was 3.3 [2.7; 4.0] hours vs. 17.9 [10.3; 24.9] hours in the ICU (P < 0.001). Of the adverse events examined, only the incidence of new onset cardiac arrhythmia (25 in PACU vs. 41 in ICU, P = 0.02) was statistically different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment in a specialised PACU rather than an ICU, after elective cardiac surgery leads to earlier extubation and quicker discharge to a step down unit, without compromising patient safety. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN71768341. Registered 11 March 2014.

The influence of postoperative epidural analgesia on postoperative pain and stress response after major spine surgery--a randomized controlled double blind study.

Major spinal surgery is associated with severe postoperative pain and stress response, bowel dysfunction, and a potential for chronic pain development. Epidural analgesia has been shown to be advantageous compared to intravenous analgesia alone. The aim of the study was to investigate whether postoperative addition of epidural levobupivacaine to intravenous opioid analgesia offers advantage over intravenous opioid analgesia alone. Eighty-one patients scheduled for spinal fusion were enrolled in the study and randomized into two groups. Postoperatively, group A received 0.125% epidural levobupivacaine and group B received saline. Both groups also received intravenous piritramide as a rescue analgesic. Pain intensity, rescue analgesic consumption, blood glucose, cholesterol and cortisol levels, postoperative blood loss, paresthesia, time to first postoperative defecation, and length of hospital stay were recorded. Sixty-eight patients completed the study. The visual analog scale score (mean 2 vs. 4, p = 0.01), consumption ofpiritramide (25 mg vs. 51.5 mg, p = 0.01) and metamizole (1400 vs. 1875 mg, p < 0.01), incidence of nausea (6% vs. 28% p = 0.02) and blood loss (450 mL vs. 650 mL, p < 0.05) were significantly lower in group A. Bowel recovery and first postoperative defecation also occurred earlier in group A (6% vs. 45%, p < 0.01). Blood cortisol, glucose and cholesterol levels and the incidence of paresthesia did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, after spinal fusion, postoperative epidural administration of levobupivacaine provides better analgesia and fewer side effects with no impact on stress response.

Ultrasound guided femoral nerve block and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block for postoperative pain control after primary hip arthroplasty: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of an ultrasound guided femoral nerve (FN) block together with an ultrasound guided lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) block in addition to a patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) pump with piritramide as a strategy for postoperative pain-management after primary hip arthroplasty. METHODS: In a retrospective study, data recorded from 32 patients undergoing primary hip arthroplasty in 2008, before peripheral blocks were used, were compared with data from 38 patients undergoing primary hip arthroplasty in 2011, when an ultrasound guided single shot FN and LFCN block was used. As primary endpoint the total piritramide consumption after 48 hours was analyzed. A score on a visual analog pain scale at rest and during movement was included as a secondary outcome. RESULTS: Patients receiving the peripheral nerve blocks used significantly less piritramide in comparison to the patients who received no peripheral nerve blocks (p < 0.01). Moreover, pain scores at rest and during movement were significantly lower in the group with the peripheral nerve block (p-values respectively < 0.01 and < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study indicates that a FN block in combination with a LFCN block as supplementary postoperative analgesia after primary hip arthroplasty, can reduce the piritramide consumption. Furthermore, patients receiving the peripheral nerve block report lower pain scores at rest and during movement compared with the patients who did not receive a peripheral block. However, as this is a retrospective study, conclusions have to be drawn cautiously.

Pain after hernia repair with simultaneous extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare postoperative pain levels and postoperative morbidity between patients who underwent extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (EPLRP) concomitant hernia repair and patients who underwent only EPLRP, by matched-pair analyses. METHODS: From December 2003 to December 2012, 54 patients who underwent EPLRP with simultaneous hernia repair were categorized as group 1. Their postoperative pain levels were quantitatively compared with those of 54 patients who underwent only EPLRP (group 2), in matched-pair analyses, including age, body mass index, and American Society of Anesthesiologists scoring. Preoperative tumor characteristics, operative and postoperative data were recorded. Pain levels were evaluated by using the visual analog scale (VAS) scoring, every day, during the first postoperative week. Statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 21 months. Mean age was 65±0.5 years. Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data were similar in the two groups. Group 1 needed a mean of 9.17 mg and group 2 needed a mean of 8.06 mg morphine derivative analgesic (piritramide) postoperatively. Total mean VAS scores were 5.65 and 4.98, in group 1 and group 2, respectively (P=0.06). Moreover, there was no significant difference between groups for complications. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous hernia repair does not affect pain levels after EPLRP. The procedure also does not result in prolongation of operative time and does not increase complication rates.

Continuous interscalene brachial plexus block versus parenteral analgesia for postoperative pain relief after major shoulder surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain may lead to adverse effects on the body, which might result in an increase in morbidity. Its management therefore poses a unique challenge for the clinician. Major shoulder surgery is associated with severe postoperative pain, and different modalities are available to manage such pain, including opioid and non-opioid analgesics, local anaesthetics infiltrated into and around the shoulder joint and regional anaesthesia. All of these techniques, alone or in combination, have been used to treat the postoperative pain of major shoulder surgery but with varying success. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to compare the analgesic efficacy of continuous interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) with parenteral opioid analgesia for pain relief after major shoulder surgery. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2012, Issue 12), MEDLINE (1950 to December 2012), EMBASE (1980 to December 2012), Web of Science (1954 to December 2012), CINAHL (1982 to December 2012) and bibliographies of published studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of continuous ISBPB compared with different forms of parenteral opioid analgesia in relieving pain in adult participants undergoing elective major shoulder surgery. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted outcome data. MAIN RESULTS: We included two randomized controlled trials (147 participants). A total of 17 participants were excluded from one trial because of complications related to continuous ISBPB (16) or parenteral opioid analgesia (one). Thus we have information on 130 participants (66 in the continuous ISBPB group and 64 in the parenteral opioid group). The studies were clinically heterogeneous. No meta-analysis was undertaken. However, results of the two included studies showed better pain relief with continuous ISBPB following major shoulder surgery and a lower incidence of complications when interscalene block is performed under ultrasound guidance rather than without it. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Because of the small number of studies (two) relevant to the subject and the high risk of bias of the selected studies, no reasonable conclusion can be drawn.

Treatment of neuropathic pain with the capsaicin 8% patch: is pretreatment with lidocaine necessary?

The capsaicin 8% patch can effectively treat neuropathic pain, but application can cause discomfort or a burning sensation. Until March 2013, it was recommended that patients be pretreated with a topical anesthetic, for example lidocaine, before capsaicin patch application. However, speculation existed over the need for pretreatment and its effectiveness in alleviating treatment-associated discomfort. This article compares tolerability to and efficacy of the capsaicin patch in pretreated and non-pretreated patients. All patients received a single capsaicin patch application. Pretreated patients received a lidocaine plaster before and intravenous lidocaine and metamizole infusions during capsaicin patch application. Pain levels, assessed using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), were used to determine tolerability and efficacy. All patients (pretreated n = 32; non-pretreated n = 26) completed 100% of the intended capsaicin patch application duration. At the time of capsaicin patch removal, 69% of pretreated and 88% of non-pretreated patients reported an NRS score increase, which returned to baseline by 6 hours post-treatment. There was no significant difference in mean NRS score between patient groups at any time during or after capsaicin patch treatment. Response was similar between patient groups; capsaicin patch treatment provided rapid and significant pain reductions that were sustained over 12 weeks. The same proportion of pretreated and non-pretreated patients reported willingness to receive retreatment with the capsaicin patch. This analysis shows that the capsaicin 8% patch is generally tolerable, and the small discomfort associated with patch application is short-lived. Lidocaine pretreatment does not have a significant effect on tolerability, efficacy, or patient willingness to receive retreatment.

Five minutes of extended assisted ventilation with an open umbilical trocar valve significantly reduces postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Residual carbon dioxide contributes substantially to pain following laparoscopic surgery. We evaluated the effects of extended assisted ventilation (EAV) with an open umbilical trocar valve for five additional minutes following laparoscopic hysterectomy on postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain levels. We also examined whether a combination of EAV and trocar site infiltration (TSI) with lidocaine could further reduce postoperative pain levels. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective randomized trial, the effectiveness of EAV and EAV/TSI in reducing postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain were compared with that of a standard treatment regime in 283 patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy (total or supracervical). Pain levels were evaluated by self-assessment questionnaire using a numeric rating scale (NRS) and by postoperative piritramid requirement, a surrogate parameter for postoperative analgesic drug requirement. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was also assessed. RESULTS: Compared with the standard treatment regime, EAV reduced abdominal pain levels significantly at 3h (NRS score, 3.21 ± 1.56 vs. 4.73 ± 1.71) and 24h (3.82 ± 1.49 vs. 4.95 ± 1.68) postoperatively (both p < 0.01). EAV also significantly reduced shoulder pain at 24h (EAV vs. control, 4.28 ± 1.51 vs. 5.14 ± 1.49) and 48 h (3.64 ± 1.66 vs. 4.22 ± 1.43) postoperatively (both p < 0.01). Patients in the EAV group had significantly lower piritramid requirements compared with standard treatment at 3h post-operatively (4.28 ± 2.09 mg vs. 6.31 ± 2.21 mg; p<0.01). EAV/TSI showed no additional benefit in terms of pain reduction compared with EAV alone. Incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting were not reduced by EAV or EAV/TSI. CONCLUSION: EAV was found to be an effective and safe method to reduce postoperative pain levels in patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy.

[Pain management after hemorrhoidectomy. Patient-controlled analgesia vs conventional pain therapy]. / Schmerzmanagement nach Hämorrhoidektomie. Patientenkontrollierte Analgesie vs. konventionelle Schmerztherapie.

PURPOSE: The aim of this randomized non-blinded study was to assess the pain management after hemorrhoidectomy using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study following Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy 38 patients were administered either standard pain management with oral non-steroidal analgesics (control n = 18) or additional PCA with piritramid intravenously by infusion pump within the first 24 h (PCA n = 19). RESULTS: The pain score within the first 24 h after surgery was significantly lower in patients with PCA compared to control patients (maximum pain within 12 h postoperatively: mean PCA 2.6 versus control 5.7). During the first 24 h postoperatively, patients with PCA were significantly more satisfied with the pain management than the control patients. CONCLUSIONS: Pain after hemorrhoidectomy can be reduced within the first 24 h using PCA. Patients are significantly more satisfied with PCA than with standard medication.

[An algorithm for postoperative pain management in visceral and thoracic surgery: an observational study]. / Algorithmus zur postoperativen Schmerztherapie in der Viszeral- und Thoraxchirurgie: Eine Verlaufuntersuchung.

INTRODUCTION: We report the results of an observational study of pain intensity before and after implementation of an algorithm for postoperative pain management. The algorithm included multiple factors for treatment. METHODS: Data of 130 consecutive patients with defined surgical procedures were extracted from charts before and after implementation of the algorithm. Our patients documented pain intensity at rest and on movement on a numerival rating scale (NRS) from 0 (= no pain) to 10 (=  worst pain). A successful pain management was definded as maximum pain intensity at rest ≤ 3 and on movement ≤ 5 on the NRS. For statistical analysis we used the Wilcoxon and the chi squared test. RESULTS: The frequency of a successful pain management increased from 49 % (individual pain management) to 85 % (algorithm) at rest 8 (p < 0.001), on movement the rates were 42 % and 86 %, respectively (p < 0.001). In the total group, we found a reduction of maximum pain intensity at rest (mean ±â€Šsd) from 4.05  ±â€Š 2.54 to 2.18 ±â€Š1.82 (p < 0.001) and with movement from 6.04 ±â€Š2.51 to 3.5 ±â€Š2.08 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Implementing an algorithm for postoperative pain management resulted in a clinically relevant reduction of postoperative pain. Our findings reflect the result of a complex change in pain management, and therefore cannot be attributed to any single factors involved.

A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial on non-opioid analgesics and opioid consumption for postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, an effective post-operative pain control is necessary, at least during the first 24 hours. We present a randomized, double-blind trial on the effect of the combined use of intravenous parecoxib, and metamizol or paracetamol on piritramide consumption using a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump in patients recovering from laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: 120 patients were randomly allocated to four patient groups treated with normal saline or one of non-opioid analgesics (parecoxib 40 mg twice daily, metamizol 1 g three times daily, paracetamol 1 g three times daily) in addition to piritramide using the PCA pump. Beginning in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), patients were asked every 2 h for 6 hours and afterwards once every 6 h to quantify their pain experience at rest while piritramide consumption was recorded. RESULTS: In all groups, piritramide consumption was high in PACU. Only metamizol significantly reduced piritramide consumption compared to the others upon discharge from PACU. Overall, cumulative piritramide consumption was slightly lower in the metamizol group and higher in the NaCl group; however, these findings were statistically not significant. VAS scores were highest upon arrival in PACU and dropped almost continuously after surgery. A significantly lower postoperative pain intensity was only found in the parecoxib group at 24 h after surgery compared to the metamizol group. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of tested additive medications on piritramide consumption and pain relief is weak and there is no clear-cut difference between the non-opioid drugs used.