Magnesium sulphate within multimodal analgesia, pre-emptive, or preventive analgesia

Background Magnesium (Mg) is a non-competitive N-methyl d-aspartate receptor antagonist with antinociceptive effects. Multimodal therapy is the optimal strategy for perioperative pain control to minimize the need for opioids. Inflammation caused by tissue trauma or direct nerve injury is responsible for the perioperative pain. The concept of “pre-emptive” analgesia, analgesic strategies administered prior to the stimulus, can modify the peripheral and central nervous system processing of noxious stimuli, thereby reducing central sensitization, hyperalgesia, and allodynia remains controversial. A more encompassing approach to the reduction of postoperative pain is the concept of “preventive” analgesia. The purpose of the study is to detect the proper use of MgSO4 as an analgesic being a non-competitive N-methyl d-aspartate (NMDA). Results There is no statistically significant difference in the haemodynamic parameters, intraoperative (33% vs 20%) and postoperative requirement for analgesics 6.6% vs 10% among groups I and II, respectively. There is no significant difference in the numerical analogue scale, where 16 vs 17 patients with no pain, 12 vs 10 with mild pain, and 2 vs 3 with moderate pain in groups I and II, respectively. Conclusion The use of MgSO4 in a bolus with or without infusion is comparable in the control of intraoperative and postoperative pain.

The Effect of Intraoperative Diphenhydramine/Morphine on Acute Pain and Opioid Consumption after Spine Surgery

Background: One of the most common problems after spine surgery is very severe pain that usually affects outcome of patients after surgery and duration of hospital stay. Acute postoperative pain has several mechanisms, and multimodal analgesia by different mechanism of action will help control to it. In this study, we intended to investigate the effect of intravenous diphenhydramine injection during induction of anesthesia and morphine before incision on the control of acute pain in postoperative laminectomy. Methods: 130 patients scheduled for spine surgeries were assigned to receive a single pre induction dose of diphenhydramine 0.4mg/kg IV (D group) and morphine 0.15mg/kg before incision in addition acetaminophen 1gr IV at the end of surgery and just morphine 0.15mg/kg and acetaminophen 1gr IV (C group) in a randomized, double-blind trial. Postoperative pain, analgesic requirements in recovery and 24 hr after surgery were assessed. Results: The mean pain intensity in recovery was lower in the diphenhydramine group than in the control group (MD, 2.13; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.72–2.53; P < .0001) and the need for analgesia was much lower in the diphenhydramine group than in the control group. P < 0.001. The severity of pain and the need for analgesics in the diphenhydramine group had a significant decrease in the ward compared to the control group. Conclusion: Prophylactic diphenhydramine 0.4 mg/kg at induction of general anesthesia in combination with morphine 0.15mg/kg before incision and acetaminophen 1gr at the end of surgery reduced the postoperative severity of acute pain and opioids requirement in the early postoperative period after spine surgeries.

Decortication, thoracic omentalization, and pericardiectomy for treatment of severe fibrosing pleuritis in a cat

CASE DESCRIPTION A 5-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of an acute onset of dyspnea and open-mouthed breathing. CLINICAL FINDINGS Thoracic radiography revealed pleural effusion and signs consistent with restrictive pleuritis, and results of preoperative CT were consistent with diffuse, severe restrictive pleuritis, bilateral pleural effusion, and pulmonary atelectasis. Thoracocentesis yielded a red, turbid fluid that was identified as chylous effusion with chronic inflammation. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Exploratory thoracotomy revealed diffuse, severe fibrous adhesions between the mediastinum, heart, lung lobes, and thoracic wall, with a thick fibrous capsule enveloping all lung lobes. Surgical treatment consisted of complete pleural decortication, pericardiectomy, and thoracic omentalization. The cat remained hospitalized for 6 days, receiving oxygen supplementation, multimodal analgesia, and supportive care. Long-term home care consisted of prednisolone administration, rutin supplementation, and provision of a low-fat diet. At recheck examinations 3-, 7-, and 20-weeks postoperatively, the cat remained tachypneic, but was otherwise clinically normal without dyspnea or respiratory distress. Follow-up thoracic radiography revealed improved pulmonary expansion, decreased pleural effusion, and resolved pneumothorax. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Surgical management of fibrosing pleuritis secondary to idiopathic chylothorax in cats has historically resulted in poor outcomes. This report details the first successful use of complete decortication in the surgical management of severe fibrosing pleuritis in a cat.

Management of severe burn injuries with novel treatment techniques including maggot debridement and applications of acellular fish skin grafts and autologous skin cell suspension in a dog

CASE DESCRIPTION A 3-year-old 27-kg female spayed American Bulldog with severe burn injuries caused by a gasoline can explosion was evaluated. CLINICAL FINDINGS The dog had extensive partial- and full-thickness burns with 50% of total body surface area affected. The burns involved the dorsum extending from the tail to approximately the 10th thoracic vertebra, left pelvic limb (involving 360° burns from the hip region to the tarsus), inguinal area bilaterally, right medial aspect of the thigh, and entire perineal region. Additional burns affected the margins of the pinnae and periocular regions, with severe corneal involvement bilaterally. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME The dog was hospitalized in the hospital’s intensive care unit for 78 days. Case management involved provision of aggressive multimodal analgesia, systemic support, and a combination of novel debridement and reconstructive techniques. Debridement was facilitated by traditional surgical techniques in combination with maggot treatment. Reconstructive surgeries involved 6 staged procedures along with the use of novel treatments including applications of widespread acellular fish (cod) skin graft and autologous skin cell suspension. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The outcome for the dog of the present report highlighted the successful use of maggot treatment and applications of acellular cod skin and autologous skin cell suspension along with aggressive systemic management and long-term multimodal analgesia with debridement and wound reconstruction for management of severe burn injuries encompassing 50% of an animal’s total body surface area.

Effectiveness of Postoperative Pain Management By Multimodal Analgesia Without Epidural Analgesia After Laparoscopic Colon Cancer Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background:Although epidural analgesia has been recommended for its strong analgesic effect for postoperative analgesia management, the increasing number of patients undergoing anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy to treat cerebrocardiovascular diseases cannot receive epidural analgesia given the risk of serious complications, including epidural hematoma. We aimed to evaluate the analgesic effects of multimodal analgesia involving intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA), and repeated scheduled acetaminophen administration, and block as local anesthesia, to establish postoperative analgesia management method replacing epidural analgesia in laparoscopic colectomy.Methods:We enrolled patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer at our hospital. The primary outcome was days of postoperative hospital stay. The efficacies of multimodal and epidural analgesia were compared. The secondary outcomes were the pain assessment and safety.Results:We registered 48 patients; among them, 40 patients were eligible. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 9.00 days (95% CI = 8.19 to 9.39, p < 0.0001). There were relatively high pain scores from postoperative day (POD) 0-1, which subsequently decreased and reach their lowest value at POD 4-5.Conclusions:Multimodal analgesia with IV-PCA and repeated scheduled acetaminophen administration could provide a safe and effective analgesic effect after laparoscopic colectomy and may be a postoperative analgesia management alternative to epidural analgesia.

2022 ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Acute Pain in Cats

Practical relevance: Increases in cat ownership worldwide mean more cats are requiring veterinary care. Illness, trauma and surgery can result in acute pain, and effective management of pain is required for optimal feline welfare (ie, physical health and mental wellbeing). Validated pain assessment tools are available and pain management plans for the individual patient should incorporate pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy. Preventive and multimodal analgesia, including local anaesthesia, are important principles of pain management, and the choice of analgesic drugs should take into account the type, severity and duration of pain, presence of comorbidities and avoidance of adverse effects. Nursing care, environmental modifications and cat friendly handling are likewise pivotal to the pain management plan, as is a team approach, involving the cat carer. Clinical challenges: Pain has traditionally been under-recognised in cats. Pain assessment tools are not widely implemented, and signs of pain in this species may be subtle. The unique challenges of feline metabolism and comorbidities may lead to undertreatment of pain and the development of peripheral and central sensitisation. Lack of availability or experience with various analgesic drugs may compromise effective pain management. Evidence base: These Guidelines have been created by a panel of experts and the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) based on the available literature and the authors’ experience. They are aimed at general practitioners to assist in the assessment, prevention and management of acute pain in feline patients, and to provide a practical guide to selection and dosing of effective analgesic agents.