Ganglionic Local Opioid Analgesia at the Superior Cervical Ganglion: MRI-Verified Solution Spread.

INTRODUCTION: Ganglionic local opioid analgesia (GLOA) at the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) is performed for pain control and is known to be an effective procedure. In this study, we evaluated the spread of the injectate in the area of the SCG. Our expectation was that there would be a correlation between the area and volume of the injectate spread and post-procedural outcome measures. METHODS: This was a retrospective blinded review of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Assessors evaluated the anatomical area of fluid spread, the furthermost spread from midline, any hampered spread and contact of contrast fluid with other structures. The efficacy of GLOA and complications were estimated. RESULTS: The main solution spread reached from the C1 to C3 vertebrae. The furthest spread in the lateral and sagittal planes was 21.2 and 15.2 mm, respectively. The furthest craniocaudal spread was 63.5 mm. In 53.3% and 33% of interventions, the solution was found in the parapharyngeal space and in its "medial compartment," respectively. A correlation was found between pain relief and both solution spread and volume of solution spread. No hampered spread was recorded. A negative correlation between pain reduction and number of GLOA was observed. Higher pre-procedural pain intensity was correlated with higher pain reduction. We estimated pain relief in 93% of procedures correctly. No correlation between post-procedural Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores and different needle approaches was found. CONCLUSION: For the transoral blocking technique, a strict laterodorsal needle direction is recommended to prevent possible block failures. A total volume of 2 ml injected into the parapharyngeal space and its "medial compartment" is recommended. Higher volumes may lead to uncontrolled distribution patterns. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT05257655; date of registration 2022-02-25; patient enrollment date from 2023-01-09 to 2023-08-31.

The injection of low-dose opioids (mainly buprenorphine or sufentanil) to different sympathetic ganglia has been termed "ganglionic local opioid analgesia" (GLOA). This form of therapy has been successfully used for numerous, often protracted diseases that severely impair the patient's quality of life, such as trigeminal neuralgia. For example, as part of a multimodal approach for pain management, GLOA at the superior cervical ganglion should be considered for pain treatment in patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia with high pre-procedural pain scores.

Simplified Pain Management Including Fentanyl TTS in PACU Patients With Hip Fracture Surgery to Improve Patients' Well-Being: A Double-Blind Randomized Trial.

PURPOSE: Adequate pain management is eminently relevant for elderly and more vulnerable patients with hip fractures in the setting of pre and postoperative pain. This study compares postoperative hip fracture patients treated with standard pain management with a variety of medications or an approach with only one option in each medication category (nonopioid: acetaminophen; opioid: fentanyl TTS 12,5 mcg/hour; rescue medication: piritramide) to simplify the treatment algorithm for nurses and improve patient well-being. DESIGN: Double-blind randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The sample was cognitively intact patients (N = 141) with hip fractures in a tertiary university hospital. Administration of fentanyl 12 mcg/hour transdermal therapeutic system was administered by the nurses in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) to address basal wound pain to improve patient well-being and patient treatment in the PACU for 24 hours to better control for early complications. FINDINGS: Well-being was equally increased in both groups in comparison to our preintervention data from 35.7% to over 60% and did not differ significantly between the intervention and control group. No statistically significant differences in numeric rating scale scores, rescue opioid dosage (piritramide i.v.) or in complications were present. CONCLUSIONS: This one-size-fits-all simplified pain management approach did not improve patient well-being or any other outcome but highlighted the importance of adequate pain management and a sufficient nurse-to-patient ratio.

Evaluation of Neuropathic Pain after Total Knee Arthroplasty: Do Yellow Flags Matter?

Up to 20% of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients continue to experience chronic postsurgical pain. Various factors have been identified as potential contributors, including so-called "yellow flags", encompassing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and catastrophizing, which were examined in this study to assess their predictive value concerning functional outcomes after TKA. METHODS: Fifty TKA patients were categorized into high-risk and low-risk groups based on clinical assessment, demographic data, medication, and patient-reported outcome measures (DN4, SF-36, WOMAC, NRS, Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Postoperative outcomes within six months after TKA were then compared. RESULTS: Both groups exhibited significant (p < 0.001) improvements in all WOMAC and NRS subscales, as well as in the physical function, role physical, pain, and energy/fatigue subdomains of the SF-36 after six months, while the high-risk group showed lower WOMAC scores regarding stiffness (19.0 ± 18.3 vs. 27.2 ± 20.7, p < 0.001) and pain (13.5 ± 13.3 vs. 15.1 ± 16.3, p = 0.029). The high-risk group showed significantly worse preoperative DN4 scores (1.8 ± 1.3 vs. 3.0 ± 1.1, p = 0.002) than the low-risk group, which persisted for one day (2.3 ± 1.2 vs. 3.5 ± 1.5, p = 0.005) and six weeks (2.2 ± 1.9 vs. 3.6 ± 2.3, p = 0.041) postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that pre-existing yellow flags contribute to a more challenging early postoperative phase, underscoring the importance of considering individual patient characteristics and psychological factors to optimize TKA outcomes.

Is PONV still a problem in pediatric surgery: a prospective study of what children tell us.

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is an unpleasant complication after surgery that commonly co-occurs with pain. Considering the high prevalence among pediatric patients, it is important to explore the main risk factors leading to PONV in order to optimize treatment strategies. The objectives of this study are as follows: (1) to determine the prevalence of PONV on the day of surgery by conducting interviews with pediatric patients, (2) to assess PONV prevalence in the recovery room and on the ward by analyzing nursing records, and (3) to collect information on PONV risk factors on the day of surgery and the following postoperative days. We wanted to investigate real-life scenarios rather than relying on artificially designed studies. Methods: A prospective analysis [according to STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines] of PONV on the day of surgery and the following postoperative days was conducted by evaluating demographic and procedural parameters, as well as conducting interviews with the children under study. A total of 626 children and adolescents, ranging in age from 4 to 18 years, were interviewed on the ward following their surgery. The interviews were conducted using a questionnaire, as children aged 4 and above can participate in an outcome-based survey. Results: On the day of surgery, several multivariable independent predictors were identified for PONV. The type of surgery was found to be a significant factor (p = 0.040) with the highest odds ratio (OR) in patients with procedural investigations [OR 5.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8-19.2], followed by abdominal surgery (OR 3.1, 95% CI: 0.9-11.1) when inguinal surgery was used as the reference category. In addition, the study identified several predictors, including the amount of fentanyl administered during anesthesia (µg/kg body weight) (OR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-1.8), intraoperative use of piritramide (OR 2.6, 95% CI: 1.5-4.4) and diclofenac (OR 2.0, 95% CI: 1. 3-3.1), opioid administration in the recovery room (OR 3.0, 95% CI: 1.9-4.7), and piritramide use on the ward (OR 4.5, 95% CI: 1.7-11.6). Conclusions: The main risk factors for PONV include the intraoperative administration of opioids during the recovery room stay and at the ward, the intraoperative use of non-opioids (diclofenac), and the specific type of surgical procedure. Real-life data demonstrated that in clinical praxis, there is a gap between the adherence to established guidelines and the use of antiemetic prophylaxis in surgeries that are generally not associated with a high PONV prevalence. Further efforts are needed to improve the existing procedures and thus improve the overall outcome.

Combined femoral and popliteal nerve block is superior to local periarticular infiltration anaesthesia for postoperative pain control after total knee arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: After primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA), local periarticular infiltration anaesthesia (LIA) is a fast and safe method for postoperative pain control. Moreover, ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia (USRA) with femoral and popliteal block is a standard procedure in perioperative care. Two analgesic regimens for TKA-LIA versus URSA with dexmedetomidine-were compared as an additive to ropivacaine. We hypothesised that the use of URSA provides a superior opioid sparing effect for TKA compared with LIA. METHODS: Fifty patients (planned 188 participants; safety analysis was performed after examining the first 50 participants) were randomised. These patients received LIA into the knee capsule during surgery with 60 ml of ropivacaine 0.5% and 1 ml of dexmedetomidine (100 µg ml-1) or two single-shot URSA blocks (femoral and popliteal block) before surgery with 15 ml of ropivacaine 0.5% and 0.5 ml of dexmedetomidine for each block. Postoperative opioid consumption in the first 48 h, pain assessment and complications were analysed. RESULTS: In the safety analysis, there was a significantly higher need for opioids in the LIA group, with a median oral morphine equivalent of 42.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 23.5-57.0] mg versus 27.0 [IQR 0.0-33.5] mg (P = 0.022). Due to this finding, the study was terminated for ethical considerations according to the protocol. CONCLUSION: This is the first study presenting data on LIA application in combination with dexmedetomidine. A superior opioid-sparing effect of URSA was observed when compared with LIA in TKA when dexmedetomidine is added to local anaesthetics. Also, a longer lasting opioid-sparing effect in the LIA group was observed when compared with the recently published literature; this difference could be attributed to the addition of dexmedetomidine. Therefore, multimodal analgesia regimens could be further improved when LIA or USRA techniques are combined with dexmedetomidine.

Intravenous ibuprofen versus diclofenac plus orphenadrine in orthognathic surgery: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of ibuprofen versus diclofenac plus orphenadrine on postoperative pain in orthognathic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who underwent orthognathic surgery were randomized into two groups to receive intravenously either 600 mg of ibuprofen (I-group) or 75 mg diclofenac plus 30 mg orphenadrine (D-group), both of which were given twice daily. Additionally, both groups were given metamizole 500 mg. Rescue pain medication consisted of acetaminophen 1000 mg and piritramide 7.5 mg as needed. To assess the pain intensity, the primary end point was the numeric rating scale (NRS) recorded over the course of the hospital stay three times daily for 3 days. RESULTS: One hundred nine patients were enrolled (age range, 18 to 61 years) between May 2019 and November 2020. Forty-eight bilateral sagittal split osteotomies (BSSO) and 51 bimaxillary osteotomies (BIMAX) were performed. Surgical subgroup analysis found a significant higher mean NRS (2.73 vs.1.23) in the BIMAX D-group vs. I-group (p = 0.015) on the third postoperative day. Additionally, as the patient's body mass index (BMI) increased, the mean NRS (r = 0.517, p = 0.001) also increased. No differences were found between age, gender, length of hospital stay, weight, operating times, number of patients with complete pain relief, acetaminophen or piritramide intake, and NRS values. No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that ibuprofen administration and lower BMI were associated with less pain for patients who underwent bimaxillary osteotomy on the third postoperative day. Therefore, surgeons may prefer ibuprofen for more effective pain relief after orthognathic surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ibuprofen differs from diclofenac plus orphenadrine in class and is a powerful analgetic after orthognathic surgery.

[Role of Dexamethasone for Pain Management in Intervertebral Disc Surgery]. / Dexamethason für die postoperative Schmerztherapie in der Bandscheibenchirurgie.

Intervertebral disc operations are already among the most common and their frequency is increasing. The pain associated with these operations is one of the most common postoperative discomforts, has a significant impact on psychosocial aspects, and should therefore be treated effectively. Therefore, we present the importance of dexamethasone for multimodal pain management after intervertebral disc surgery.

[Post-polio Syndrome in the Perioperative Phase]. / Das Post-Polio-Syndrom in der perioperativen Phase.

Due to the numerous poliomyelitis epidemics that have continued over the last decades and the post-polio syndrome (PPS) that occurs 10 - 30 years after poliomyelitis infection, the prevalence of PPS is also expected to increase in Europe. At the same time, due to the musculoskeletal disorders associated with the underlying disease, PPS patients often require surgery for which special anaesthetic requirements must be taken into account. In this analysis we summarise the current evidence and recommendations.

Influence of personalised music and ice-tea options on post-operative well-being in the post anaesthesia care unit after general or regional anaesthesia. A pre-post-analysis by means of a questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment whether patients' wellbeing and disturbances in the post anaesthesia care unit could be influenced by the consecutive introduction of initially personalised music and then additionally various drink options. DESIGN/SETTING: A pre-post-analysis by means of an anonymised survey with a validated questionnaire in a university hospital in central Europe. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Wellbeing and disturbances in the post anaesthesia care unit. RESULTS: Patients' most frequently reported early postsurgical disturbances (n = 1335) were lack of wellbeing, dry mouth and pain in the surgical area. Reported rates of clinically relevant wellbeing were not statistically different in patients that were offered personalised music (46.5%) or additionally ice-tea (50.6%). No correlation could be found between wellbeing or physical discomfort and headphones or when ice-tea were offered. CONCLUSION: After a decade of increased efforts to improve patients' wellbeing in the postanaesthesia care unit we could not show further influence on it by the introduction of personalised music and ice-tea. We see the need for a more differentiated focus on this topic and the need for exploratory studies on patient perception. The most frequent claims were related to lack of wellbeing, pain in the surgical area and a dry mouth.

Adult patients' wellbeing and disturbances during early recovery in the post anaesthesia care unit. A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of patients' wellbeing in the post anaesthesia care unit and how much each disturbance influences it. Furthermore, assessment of the incidence of the correlated disturbances and whether there are gender-specific aspects. DESIGN/SETTING: Observational anonymised survey with a validated questionnaire in a university hospital in central Europe. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence rates of wellbeing and disturbances in the post anaesthesia care unit. RESULTS: The patients' most frequently reported early postsurgical disturbances (n = 349) were i) dry mouth (35.4%), ii) pain in the surgical area (12.7%) and iii) hunger (12.2%). Every other disturbance was below 10% (e.g. nausea). Subjective wellbeing was reported by 57.2% of our patients. There were weak correlations between wellbeing and physical discomfort, pain in the surgical area, sleepiness and nausea. The strongest correlation was with physical discomfort. Female patients showed more feelings of cold, nausea and headache. CONCLUSION: Even in hospitals repeatedly certified in pain management, a high percentage of patients still claim early postoperative discomfort. We see the necessity for an increased focus on this topic and the need for investigations regarding patients' perception. The most frequent claims were related to pain in the surgical area and a dry mouth.

The selection of dermatomes for sham (placebo) acupuncture points is relevant for the outcome of acupuncture studies: a systematic review of sham (placebo)-controlled randomized acupuncture trials.

BACKGROUND: Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture reveal no significant differences between acupuncture and so-called placebo acupuncture. There is a strong tendency to replace the term "placebo" by the term "sham," because any needling stimulates a certain physiological response. However, neither concept accounts for the great diversity of results in RCTs comparing verum acupuncture and sham (placebo) acupuncture. Some trials have shown little or no difference, while other studies have found statistically significant differences. OBJECTIVE: Verum acupuncture and sham (placebo) acupuncture may achieve similar results to the extent that they share active constituents. We identified these common active constituents as dermatomes: the segmental structure of the human body. In our study, we tested the hypothesis that the more verum and sham (placebo) acupuncture share the same dermatomes, the closer the clinical outcomes will be, and vice versa. METHODS: All major databases were searched for RCTs that tested acupuncture versus sham (placebo) acupuncture. The dermatome charts of Hansen and Schliack were used to verify verum and sham (placebo) needling locations. Reported clinical outcomes were assessed in relation to the percentage of overlap between the dermatomes stimulated by acupuncture and sham (placebo) acupuncture. RESULTS: Our literature search yielded a total of 1738 references. Thirty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. The effects of sham (placebo) acupuncture varied according to the dermatomes stimulated: high overlap with those stimulated by verum acupuncture resulted in almost identical efficacy, while low overlap resulted in significant differences in efficacy. Clinical outcomes were similar when verum acupuncture and sham (placebo) acupuncture shared the same dermatomes (p < 0.01). DISCUSSION: The findings of this review confirm our hypothesis. Acupuncture studies that employed verum and sham locations on overlapping dermatomes helped to create a mediocre to negative picture of acupuncture's efficacy. The segmental structure of the body with its interconnected reflex system offers an additional neurophysiological explanation for the effectiveness of acupuncture applied to structures segmentally innervated by the spinal and visceral nervous system. Further comparative acupuncture studies should be based on knowledge of segmental anatomy. In testing verum acupuncture versus sham acupuncture, the chosen sham acupuncture needling locations should be situated on non-overlapping dermatomes.

Is There an Impact of Sex on Acute Postthoracotomy Pain? A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Current knowledge about sex-related differences states that pain is generally more frequent and intense in women. Because severe postthoracotomy pain is associated with complications, sufficient pain control is essential. Data on sex-related aspects in the context of pain after thoracotomy are scarce. The study attempted to determine whether sex significantly affects pain and pain treatment after thoracotomy. METHODS: This retrospective study assessed visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and analgesic consumption (opioids and diclofenac) during the first 5 days after surgery and the point in time when analgesics were changed from the intravenous to the oral route in patients who had open lung surgery. The influences of sex, PCEA (patient-controlled epidural analgesia), age, and surgical factors were evaluated with mixed-model analysis. RESULTS: The study was able to include 344 patients (130 female, 214 male). The VAS scores model did not consider sex as relevant. The opioid model showed a PCEA-time-sex interaction with increasing opioid demand after day 3 that predominantly affected male patients (P < .001). Diclofenac doses where significantly higher in an interaction of female sex and small extent of surgery (P = .007). Posterolateral thoracotomy led to significantly higher VAS scores (P < .001) and higher demand for opioids (P = .007) and diclofenac (P = .012). CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that there are no general sex-related differences in pain intensity and analgesic requirement after thoracotomy. Anterolateral thoracotomy was the less painful surgical approach. PCEA had favorable results, although there seemed to a rebound pain phenomenon after epidural catheter removal on postoperative day 3 that mainly affected male patients.

Comparison of early postoperative pain after partial tumour nephrectomy by flank, transabdominal or laparoscopic access.

AIM: To explore whether the total pain experience differs after (partial) kidney tumour nephrectomies via flank, transabdominal or laparoscopic access. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively 107 patients with flank, 12 with transabdominal and 21 with laparoscopic interventions. For pain treatment, conventional analgesics (A) or intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCIA) or thoracic peridural analgesia (tPDA) were used. Self-reported pain was measured with a Visual Analogue Scale three times daily. The area under the curve (AUC) at rest (R) and during a standardized body movement (M) were calculated from the intervention till the end of the second T(0-2) and seventh postoperative day T(0-7), respectively. RESULTS: The median AUC for T(0-2) at R was more intense for laparoscopy (13) than for flank incision (A, 9) and approximately the same during M. For flank incisions (A), the median AUC at R rises from 9 for T(0-2) to 22 for T(0-7) and at M the median AUC increases from 18 to 37. In contrast, laparoscopy did not cause further pain after the second postoperative day. Furthermore, with flank incision for T(0-2), at R, tPDA was superior to A (median AUC: 5 versus 9, p = 0.02) and at M again tPDA (median AUC: 12) had a better pain-control as A (18) or even as PCIA (19, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic nephrectomies cause a relatively intense mean cumulative pain for T(0-2) and a subsequent absence of pain. However, flank incisions went on to increased pain levels until the seventh postoperative day with tPDA as most effective therapy.

Implementation and maintenance of a pain management quality assurance program at intensive care units: 360 degree feedback of physicians, nurses and patients.

BACKGROUND: Pain management quality assurance programs (PMQP) have been successfully implemented in numerous hospitals across Europe. We aimed to evaluate the medium-term sustainability of a PMQP implemented at intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: Two surveys, the first in 2012, immediately after introduction of the PMQP, and the second in 2015, were carried out amongst patients, physicians and nurses. Demographic parameters of all participants were assessed. Patients were asked after their pain levels during ICU stay. Staff members answered a questionnaire regarding familiarity with standards and processes of PMQP and self-perception of their knowledge as well as contentment with interdisciplinary communication. RESULTS: In total (2012/2015), 267 (125/142) patients, 113 (65/48) physicians and 510 (264/246) members of the nursing staff participated. Minimum and maximum pain levels of patients did not differ between both surveys. Patients' tolerance of pain 24 hours before the survey was better (p = 0.023), and vomiting occurred less often (p = 0.037) in 2015. Physicians' and nurses' contentment with the own knowledge about pharmacological pain treatment had increased from 2012 to 2015 (p = 0.002 and 0.004). Satisfaction with communication between nurses and physicians was better in 2015 (p<0.001 and p = 0.002). Familiarity with PMQP standards and processes remained stable in both collectives. CONCLUSION: The implementation of our PMQP achieved a high standard of care, guarantying a high patient and staff member satisfaction. Continuous education, ongoing training, regular updates and implementation of feedback-loops ensure continuity, in some parameters even an increase in knowledge and competencies. This is mirrored in high patient and staff member satisfaction.

Spirituality in pain medicine: A randomized experiment of pain perception, heart rate and religious spiritual well-being by using a single session meditation methodology.

The aim of this study is to investigate different effects on pain perception among randomly assigned volunteers practicing meditation compared to a relaxation condition. The study examines whether participants of the experimental conditions (meditation versus relaxation) differ in the change of pain perception and heart rate measurement and in religious and spiritual well-being after an intervention. METHOD: 147 volunteers (long-term practitioners and novices) were randomly assigned to the experimental conditions with a headphone guided 20-minute single session intervention. The change in their pre- and post-intervention pain perception was measured using Quantitative Sensory Testing and Cold Pressor Testing (CPTest), their stress-level was compared by monitoring heart rate, and their religious and spiritual well-being by using the Multidimensional Inventory for Religious/Spiritual Well-Being (MI-RSB48). Additionally, dimensions of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) measured the psychological resilience of the participants; pain and stress experience, and the state of relaxation and spirituality experience were assessed. Five persons were excluded due to failure in measuring the heart rate and 29 participants had to be excluded because of high values on the BSI. RESULTS: The meditation group showed an increase in their pain tolerance on the CPTest and a decrease in their pain intensity for heat after the experimental condition, in contrast to the relaxation group. Futhermore, the meditation group showed a higher level of religious spiritual well-being (MI-RSB48 Total score) as well as in the sub-dimensions General Religiosity, Forgiveness, and Connectedness after the experimental condition, compared to the relaxation group. Our data is consistent with the hypothesis that meditation increases pain tolerance and reduces pain intensity, however, further work is required to determine whether meditation contains similar implications for pain patients.

Neuraxial anesthesia in patients with multiple sclerosis - a systematic review / Anestesia neuraxial em pacientes com esclerose múltipla - uma revisão sistemática

Abstract Background and objectives: Current guidelines for neuraxial analgesia in patients with multiple sclerosis are ambiguous and offer the clinician only a limited basis for decision making. This systematic review examines the number of cases in which multiple sclerosis has been exacerbated after central neuraxial analgesia in order to rationally evaluate the safety of these procedures. Methods: A systematic literature search with the keywords "anesthesia or analgesia" and "epidural, peridural, caudal, spinal, subarachnoid or intrathecal" in combination with "multiple sclerosis" was performed in the databases PubMed and Embase, looking for clinical data on the effect of central neuraxial analgesia on the course of multiple sclerosis. Results and conclusions: Over a period of 65 years, our search resulted in 37 reports with a total of 231 patients. In 10 patients multiple sclerosis was worsened and nine multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica was first diagnosed in a timely context with central neuraxial analgesia. None of the cases showed a clear relation between cause and effect. Current clinical evidence does not support the theory that central neuraxial analgesia negatively affects the course of multiple sclerosis.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: As diretrizes atuais para analgesia neuraxial em pacientes com esclerose múltipla (EM) são ambíguas e oferecem ao clínico apenas uma base limitada para a tomada de decisão. Esta revisão sistemática examina o número de casos nos quais a EM foi exacerbada após analgesia neuraxial central para avaliar racionalmente a segurança desses procedimentos. Métodos: Uma busca sistemática da literatura com as palavras-chave "anestesia ou analgesia" e "epidural, peridural, caudal, espinhal, subaracnóideo ou intratecal" em combinação com multiple sclerosis foi feita nas bases de dados PubMed e Embase à procura de dados clínicos sobre a efeito da analgesia neuraxial central sobre o curso da esclerose múltipla. Resultados e conclusões: Durante um período de 65 anos, nossa busca resultou em 37 relatos com um total de 231 pacientes. Em 10 pacientes, a esclerose múltipla foi agravada e, em nove, a esclerose múltipla ou neuromielite óptica foi diagnosticada pela primeira vez em momento concomitante com a analgesia neuraxial central. Nenhum dos casos apresentou uma clara relação entre causa e efeito. A evidência clínica atual não sustenta a teoria de que a analgesia neuraxial central afeta negativamente o curso da esclerose múltipla.

[Neuraxial anesthesia in patients with multiple sclerosis - a systematic review]. / Anestesia neuraxial em pacientes com esclerose múltipla ­ uma revisão sistemática.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Current guidelines for neuraxial analgesia in patients with multiple sclerosis are ambiguous and offer the clinician only a limited basis for decision making. This systematic review examines the number of cases in which multiple sclerosis has been exacerbated after central neuraxial analgesia in order to rationally evaluate the safety of these procedures. METHODS: A systematic literature search with the keywords "anesthesia or analgesia" and "epidural, peridural, caudal, spinal, subarachnoid or intrathecal" in combination with "multiple sclerosis" was performed in the databases PubMed and Embase, looking for clinical data on the effect of central neuraxial analgesia on the course of multiple sclerosis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Over a period of 65 years, our search resulted in 37 reports with a total of 231 patients. In 10 patients multiple sclerosis was worsened and nine multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica was first diagnosed in a timely context with central neuraxial analgesia. None of the cases showed a clear relation between cause and effect. Current clinical evidence does not support the theory that central neuraxial analgesia negatively affects the course of multiple sclerosis.