Hypertonic glucose in the treatment of low back pain: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is defined as pain lasting longer than 3 months and is one of the conditions with the most significant social impact. Treatment is complex and includes proliferative agents used in prolotherapy. The mechanism is not known, but osmotic agents (hypertonic solutions of dextrose or glucose) cause cellular rupture and an inflammatory response that releases cytokines and growth factors that lead to scarring and reinnervation. METHODS: Patients with chronic LBP (>12 weeks) who were non-traumatic and unresponsive to at least 1 month of physical therapy were selected. All patients were followed up at a return visit at 1, 3, and 6 months for pain assessment using validated pain questionnaires and scales. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were included in the conservative group and 19 in the glucose group, with the majority being women (57.9%). The patients were between 47 and 59 years of age (39.5%), mixed race (76.33%), married or in a committed relationship (73.7%), and had completed the study for 5.2 years. Overall mean body mass index was 27.3 ± 4.4 kg/m 2 and was higher in the conservative group (28.0 ± 4.7 kg/m 2 ). The groups showed differences in Visual Analog Scale scores, with median and amplitude values close to each other between the time points evaluated and increasing values in the glucose group, which had significantly higher values for this scale at the third evaluation ( P = .031). When comparing the Rolland-Morris scale scores between the groups, there was a significant difference only in the 3-m assessment ( P = .021). In the follow-up assessment, both groups showed significant improvement between T0 and the other assessment time points ( P < .05) in all evaluations. CONCLUSION: Both groups significantly improved on the evaluated scales during follow-up. Overall, no effects were attributable to the glucose components or the prolotherapy protocol.

Minimum Effective Analgesic Concentration of Ropivacaine in Saphenous Block Guided by Ultrasound for Knee Arthroscopic Meniscectomy: Randomized, Double-Blind Study.

BACKGROUND: After knee surgery, analgesia should be effective for mobilization and discharge. AIM OF THE STUDY: The primary objective of this study was to achieve the lowest effective analgesic concentration (MEC50 and MEC90) of ropivacaine for saphenous nerve block in arthroscopic meniscectomy. The secondary objective was to determine whether the block causes muscle weakness in the postoperative period. METHODS: The study was randomized, comparative, and double-blind. Fifty-one patients between 18 and 65 years old of both sexes, ASA I or II, who underwent knee arthroscopic meniscectomy at São Domingos Hospital were included. Patients underwent saphenous nerve block with 10 mL of ropivacaine administered by using the up-and-down method. The ropivacaine concentration was determined based on the previous patient's response (a biased-coin up-down design sequential method). If a patient had a negative response, the concentration of ropivacaine was increased by 0.05% in the next patient; if the response was positive, the next patient was randomized to be administered the same concentration of ropivacaine or a 0.05% lower concentration. Successful block was defined as pain <4 during 6 h. Patients underwent general anesthesia with 30 µg/kg alfentanil and propofol and maintenance with propofol, and, if necessary, remifentanil was administered. Postoperative analgesia was complemented with dipyrone, and if necessary, tramadol (100 mg) could be used. The following parameters were assessed: the success of the block; pain intensity after 2, 4, and 6 h; the consumption of remifentanil; time to the first analgesic supplementation; percent of patients who needed analgesics during 6h; and muscle strength. RESULTS: The MEC50 of ropivacaine was 0.36%, and the MEC90 was 0.477%. The block was successful in 45 patients. CONCLUSION: Saphenous block with 10 mL of 0.36% ropivacaine provides adequate analgesia for outpatient meniscectomy.

High dose gabapentin does not alter tumor growth in mice but reduces arginase activity and increases superoxide dismutase, IL-6 and MCP-1 levels in Ehrlich ascites.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of gabapentin on Ehrlich tumor growth in Swiss mice, a highly aggressive and inflammatory tumor model. Mice were grouped into sets of 5 animals and treated from days 2 to 8 with gabapentin 30 mg/kg body weight (G30) or 100 mg/kg body weight (G100), or normal sterile saline (control). RESULTS: The mice were euthanized on day 10. Tumor growth, tumoricidal agents and inflammatory cytokines levels were assessed. At day 10, G30 and G100 mice gained weight, but there were no differences in tumor cell count or in ascites volume. In G100, there was a reduction in arginase and an increase in SOD activities. There was an increase in IL-6 and MCP-1 levels, especially in G100, but no alterations in TNF-α. There was no direct evidence of tumor induction by gabapentin. However, the findings suggest that its use modulates immune response to a more effector and less deleterious profile, with increase in activity of anti-oxidant enzymes and in cytokines that favor activation of macrophages, which could improve the general status of the tumor host.

Randomized clinical study on the analgesic effect of local infiltration versus spinal block for hemorrhoidectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:: Postoperative analgesia and early recovery are important for hospital discharge. The primary objective of this study was to compare the analgesic effectiveness of perianal infiltration and subarachnoid anesthesia for hemorrhoidectomy. The secondary objective was to compare time to discharge, adverse effects and complications. DESIGN AND SETTING:: Randomized, prospective and comparative study at Dr. Mário Gatti Hospital. METHODS:: Forty patients aged 18-60, in American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status category 1 or 2, were included. The local group (LG) received local infiltration (0.75% ropivacaine) under general anesthesia; the spinal group (SG) received subarachnoid block (2 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine). Analgesic supplementation consisted of fentanyl for LG and lidocaine for SG. Postoperative pain intensity, sphincter relaxation, lower-limb strength, time to discharge, analgesic dose over one week and adverse effects were assessed. RESULTS:: Eleven LG patients (52.4%) required supplementation, but no SG patients. Pain intensity was higher for LG up to 120 min, but there were no differences at 150 or 180 min. There were no differences in the need for paracetamol or tramadol. Times to first analgesic supplementation and hospital discharge were longer for SG. The adverse effects were nausea, dizziness and urinary retention. CONCLUSIONS:: Pain intensity was higher in LG than in SG over the first 2 h, but without differences after 150 and 180 min. Time to first supplementation was shorter in LG. There were no differences in doses of paracetamol and tramadol, or in adverse effects. REGISTRATION:: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02839538.

Randomized clinical study on the analgesic effect of local infiltration versus spinal block for hemorrhoidectomy / Estudo clínico randomizado do efeito analgésico da infiltração local versus bloqueio espinal para hemorroidectomia

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postoperative analgesia and early recovery are important for hospital discharge. The primary objective of this study was to compare the analgesic effectiveness of perianal infiltration and subarachnoid anesthesia for hemorrhoidectomy. The secondary objective was to compare time to discharge, adverse effects and complications. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized, prospective and comparative study at Dr. Mário Gatti Hospital. METHODS: Forty patients aged 18-60, in American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status category 1 or 2, were included. The local group (LG) received local infiltration (0.75% ropivacaine) under general anesthesia; the spinal group (SG) received subarachnoid block (2 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine). Analgesic supplementation consisted of fentanyl for LG and lidocaine for SG. Postoperative pain intensity, sphincter relaxation, lower-limb strength, time to discharge, analgesic dose over one week and adverse effects were assessed. RESULTS: Eleven LG patients (52.4%) required supplementation, but no SG patients. Pain intensity was higher for LG up to 120 min, but there were no differences at 150 or 180 min. There were no differences in the need for paracetamol or tramadol. Times to first analgesic supplementation and hospital discharge were longer for SG. The adverse effects were nausea, dizziness and urinary retention. CONCLUSIONS: Pain intensity was higher in LG than in SG over the first 2 h, but without differences after 150 and 180 min. Time to first supplementation was shorter in LG. There were no differences in doses of paracetamol and tramadol, or in adverse effects. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02839538.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A analgesia pós-operatória e a recuperação precoce são relevantes para a alta hospitalar. O objetivo primário deste estudo foi comparar a eficácia analgésica da infiltração perianal e da anestesia subaracnóidea para hemorroidectomia. O objetivo secundário foi comparar o tempo para alta, efeitos adversos e complicações. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo randomizado prospectivo e comparativo, no Hospital Dr. Mário Gatti. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 40 pacientes com idades 18-60 anos, na categoria 1 ou 2 de status físico da Sociedade Americana de Anestesiologistas. O grupo local (LG) recebeu infiltração local (ropivacaína a 0,75%) sob anestesia geral; o espinal (SG) recebeu bloqueio subaracnóideo (2 ml de bupivacaína a 0,5%). A suplementação analgésica foi com fentanil para LG e lidocaína para SG. Foram avaliados: intensidade da dor no pós-operatório, relaxamento do esfíncter, força dos membros inferiores, tempo de alta, dose de analgésico em uma semana e efeitos adversos. RESULTADOS: Onze (52,4%) pacientes em LG necessitaram de complementação, e nenhum em SG. A intensidade da dor foi maior para LG até 120 minutos, sem diferenças em 150 ou 180 minutos. Não houve diferenças na necessidade de paracetamol ou tramadol. O tempo para a primeira complementação analgésica e a alta hospitalar foram maiores para SG. Os efeitos adversos foram náuseas, tonturas e retenção urinária. CONCLUSÕES: A intensidade da dor foi maior na LG que na SG nas primeiras 2 horas, porém sem diferenças após 150 e 180 minutos. O tempo para a primeira suplementação foi menor na LG; sem diferenças nas doses de paracetamol e tramadol e efeitos adversos. REGISTRO: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02839538.