Intrathecal Narcotic Analgesia (ITA) vs. Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) for postoperative pain control after major abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND: Several studies addressing intrathecal morphine (ITM) use following spine surgery have been published either involving the pediatric population, using mid- to high-dose ITM, or not in conjunction with morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).OBJECTIVES: To determine whether low-dose ITM is a useful adjunct to PCA for postoperative pain control following elective lumbar spine surgery in adults.METHODS: Thirty-two patients were enrolled in a double-blinded randomized controlled trial, and received either ITM or intrathecal placebo. Postoperatively, all patients were given a PCA pump and observed for the first 24 h in a step-down unit. Measurements of: total PCA morphine consumed in the first 24 h; intensity of pain; pruritus; nausea at 4 h, 8 h and 24 h; time to first ambulation; length of hospital stay; and occurrences of respiratory depression were recorded.RESULTS: The total PCA use was significantly lower in the ITM group. There were lower average pain scores in the ITM group, which increased to that of the intrathecal placebo group over 24 h; however, this failed to attain statistical significance. There were no differences in nausea, pruritus, time to first ambulation or hospital length stay. There were no cases of respiratory depression in either group.CONCLUSIONS: ITM may be a useful adjunct to PCA, but did not decrease time to ambulation or length of stay.

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PATIENT-CONTROLLED ANALGESIA (PCA) FOR POSTOPERATIVE PAIN CONTROL IN ADOLESCENTS

Anesthesia & Analgesia ◽

10.1213/00000539-198702001-00022 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 66 (Supplement) ◽

pp. S22 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

R. E. Brown ◽

L. M. Broadman

Keyword(s):

Postoperative Pain ◽

Pain Control ◽

Patient Controlled Analgesia ◽

Postoperative Pain Control

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Comparative study between: Epidural bupivacaine versus Patient Controlled Analgesia for postoperative pain control in total knee arthroplasty

QJM ◽

10.1093/qjmed/hcaa039.073 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

A T A Elkhouly ◽

M A Bassiony ◽

M M N Elshafey ◽

K M Khalaf ◽

A M Alansary

Keyword(s):

Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Stress Response ◽

Postoperative Pain ◽

Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Pain Control ◽

Patient Controlled Analgesia ◽

Postoperative Pain Control ◽

Epidural Bupivacaine ◽

Total Knee ◽

Cortisol Levels

Abstract Introduction Effective postoperative pain control in total knee arthroplasty is important, especially with starting physiotherapy and early ambulation, which enhances recovery and reduces hospital length of stay. The risk of postoperative complications, such as deep venous thrombosis and nosocomial infections, has also been shown to decrease with early mobilization. Aim The aim of this study is to assess the analgesic efficacy of epidural bupivacaine compared with intravenous patient controlled analgesia (opioid and NSAIDs) during postoperative period in total knee arthroplasty. Patients Forty patients, ranging in age from 20 to 70 yr, scheduled to receive total knee replacements with spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to this study. Methods patients received epidural bupivacaine 0.125% alone in (group epa) or iv nalbuphine 50mg, ketorolac 60mg via pca device. The quality of postoperative analgesia was assessed by the anesthesiologist according to Visual Analogue Score (VAS), Cortisol level 24 hours preoperative and 2 hours postoperative for stress response. Results The efficacy of both epidural Bupivacaine and i.v nalbuphine & ketorolac via PCA device in controlling pain after total Knee arthroplasty however PCA was slightly less efficient especialy during the 12 hr after surgery. We found that one of the main draw backs of epidural analgesia using bupivacaine were arterial hypotension and urinary retention which required catheterization of many patients for voiding of urine. Results were comparable between the 2 groups and were against group EPA, Serum cortisol levels were elevated 2h post-surgery in all patients. This elevation is in accordance with the well-established stress response to surgery. Furthermore, cortisol levels were significantly less elevated in the group EPA, compared with group PCA. Conclusion The results of the study revealed both Epidural bupivacaine and systemic opioids combined with NASID via PCA device are effective of pain control post TKA.

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