Experience in the treatment of opium withdrawal syndrome with naloxone under general anesthesia

Abstract

Aim. To summarize the results of treatment of opium withdrawal syndrome with naloxone under general anesthesia in a municipal hospital. Methods. During the period 2001-2010 examined were 102 pa-tients, of whom 80% were aged 20 to 30 years. Treatment was performed on a contractual basis, after a preliminary examination according to a unified program. After admission to the intensive care unit conducted was the general intravenous anesthesia with mechanical ventilation. Naloxone was administered in a bolus every 15 minutes during the first hour of anesthesia with the aim to detoxify, followed by 0.4-0.8 mg/h during the following 24 hours of treatment. Residual effects of the withdrawal syndrome were treated with additional drug therapy, including diazepam, clonidine, droperidol. The effectiveness of treatment was analyzed on the basis of the absence of clinical signs of the withdrawal syndrome, as well as with the test «NARCOCHEK». Results. By the end of the first day of treatment in 100% of patients no opiates were found in the urine. Weakness and depression was noted in 90 people, while in 18 noted was aggressive behavior, and at the same time the autonomic disorders were absent in all patients. The in-hospital course of treatment time amounted to 1.5 days. There were no complications during treatment. Conclusion. This method of therapy promotes rapid and painless relief of withdrawal syndrome, while serving only as the initial phase of treatment and rehabilitation of patients with opioid dependence.