Decrease In Morphine Consumption Research Articles

Efficacy of Pericapsular Nerve Group Block (PENG BLOCK) in the Perioperative Period for Patients Undergoing Hip Surgery

Abstract Background Proximal femur fractures are common fractures especially in elderly population and produce routine problems for trauma. It is common that they lead to immobility or hindrance in daily life. In addition, elderly people can have surgical problems as well as multiple medical complications (Schuetze et al., 2019). Aim of the Work The study aimed to Studying the effect of the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block on providing perioperative analgesia and improving functional recovery following total hip arthroplasty. Patients and Methods This prospective randomized controlled trial study was conducted in Ain Shams University Hospitals. Thirty six adult patients scheduled for proximal femur fracture fixation under spinal anaesthesia were included in this study. The patients' age was above 18 years old and with the American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) Class I, II and III. At the the beginning of the surgery, patients were randomized using a random number table and the use of a closed envelopes technique were used to receive either ultrasound guided pericapsular nerve group block (PENG) block, or normal saline (no PENG block), each group constitutes 18 patients. Results As regarding time of 1st rescue analgesia our study revealed that there was significant shorter duration to first rescue analgesia in control group as mean time in control group was 13 hours compared to 19 hours in PENG group. As regarding to total morphine consumption our study revealed marked decrease in morphine consumption in the 1st 24 hours post operatively with mean 3mg in PENG group and 6mg in control group. As regarding the mobility after surgery we found that 17 patients out of 18 who received PENG block could stand at 24 hours post operatively in comparison to only 6 patients in control group. Conclusion The other aspect that should be discussed is that the PENG block provides only anterior hip capsule analgesia. Although the anterior capsule innervation is responsible for the majority of hip-related pain, it omits the posterior capsule, which is innervated by the nerve to the quadratus femoris and from the superior gluteal nerve, both from the sacral plexus.

Analgesic effects of intraperitoneal lidocaine in adults undergoing surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.

The administration of local anesthesia in intraperitoneal space as part of the multi-modal analgesic regimen has shown to be effective in reducing postoperative pain. Recent studies demonstrated that intraperitoneal lidocaine may provide analgesic effects. Primary objective was to determine the impact of intraperitoneal lidocaine on postoperative pain scores at rest. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched from their inception date until May 2023. Randomized clinical trials (RCT) comparing intraperitoneal lidocaine and placebo in adults undergoing surgery were included. Our systematic review included 24 RCTs (n = 1824). The intraperitoneal lidocaine group was significantly associated with lower postoperative pain scores at rest (MD, -0.87, 95% CI, -1.04 to -0.69) and at movement (MD, -0.50, 95% CI, -0.93 to -0.08) among adult patients after surgery. Its administration also significantly decreased morphine consumption (MD, -6.42 mg, 95% CI, -11.56 to -1.27) and lowered the incidence of needing analgesia (OR, 0.22, 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.35). Intraperitoneal lidocaine statistically reduced time to resume regular diet (MD, 0.16 days; 95% CI, -0.31 to -0.01) and lowered postoperative incidence of nausea and vomiting (OR, 0.54, 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.75). In this review, our findings should be interpreted with caution. Future studies are warranted to determine the optimal dose of administering intraperitoneal lidocaine among adult patients undergoing surgery.

The efficacy and safety of perioperative glucocorticoid for total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundAn increasing number of individuals undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which can result in pain, limited motor function and adverse complications such as infection, nausea and vomiting. Glucocorticoids have been shown anti-inflammatory and antiemetic effects, but can also elevate blood glucose levels and increase the risk of wound infection. Thus, it is essential to investigate the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoid usage in TKA.MethodA comprehensive systematic search of PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of glucocorticoid application in TKA. The primary outcomes assessed were the postoperative pain assessment. Secondary outcomes included the range of motion in knee joint, levels of inflammatory cytokines, adverse complications, and the length of hospital stay.ResultsThirty-six randomized controlled trials were included in the final analysis. The glucocorticoid group exhibited significant reduction in the resting VAS scores on postoperative days 1, 2 (POD1, 2)and postoperative 3 months (POM3), as well as decreased morphine consumption on POD1 and increased range of motion (ROM) in knee joint on POD1, 3. Additionally, the glucocorticoid group exhibited decreased levels of postoperative inflammatory cytokines and the incidence of PONV along with a shorter length of hospital stay. The blood glucose concentration was significantly increased in the glucocorticoid group on POD1 compared with the control group. While the blood glucose on POD2 and occurrence of postoperative adverse complications were similar between two groups including wound infection and venous thrombosis. The periarticular injection analgesia (PIA) group demonstrated lower VAS scores on POD2 comparing to the systemic administration (SA) group according to two studies. However, there was no significant difference of the resting VAS on POD1 and POD2 between PIA and SA group across all studies.ConclusionPerioperative glucocorticoids treatment in TKA significantly reduced short-term pain score and opioid-use which was probably not patient relevant. The application of glucocorticoids in TKA implied a beneficial trend in analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiemetic effects, as well as improved range of motion and shortened hospital stay. While it will not increase the risk of continued high glucose, postoperative wound infection and venous thrombosis.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided transversalis fascia plane block and anterior quadratus lumborum block in patients undergoing caesarean delivery: a randomized study

BackgroundCesarean section is becoming increasingly common. Well-managed postoperative analgesia improves patient comfort while encouraging early ambulation and breastfeeding. The analgesic efficacy of transversalis facial plane block (TFPB) vs. anterior quadratus lumborum block (QLB) was compared in this study.MethodsWe analyzed the data of 49 pregnant women (gestation, ≥ 37weeks; age, 18–45years) scheduled for elective cesarean delivery (CD) under general anesthesia. They were randomly divided into TFPB and anterior QLB groups. All blocks were administered bilaterally with 25mL of 0.25% bupivacaine under ultrasound guidance prior to extubation. Postoperative morphine consumption and numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores (static and dynamic [during coughing]) were recorded at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24h.ResultsThere was no difference in postoperative morphine consumption between the groups at the third, sixth, and ninth hours, but the anterior QLB group consumed less morphine at the 12th, 18th, and 24th hours. Except for the first hour, resting and dynamic NRS scores were comparable between the groups. The first-hour resting and dynamic NRS scores were lower in the TFPB group (resting NRS, anterior QLB group, median [interquartile range], 2 [2–3] vs. TFPB group, 2 [0–2], p = 0.046; dynamic NRS, anterior QLB group, median [interquartile range], 3 [2–4] vs. TFPB group 2 [0–3], p = 0.001).ConclusionsIn patients undergoing CD, anterior QLB decreased morphine consumption in the late period (9–24h) compared to TFPB, while pain scores were similar between both groups. The reduction in morphine consumption was statistically significant, but not clinically significant.

Continuous Transversus Abdominis Plane Infusion via Surgically Inserted Catheter for Postoperative Analgesia After Abdominal Aortic Surgery by Retroperitoneal Approach: TAPCACAO Study

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the analgesic properties of continuous transversus abdominis plane (TAP) infusion with ropivacaine compared to placebo for postoperative analgesia in elective surgery of the abdominal aorta by retroperitoneal exposure. We conducted a prospective, single-center, randomized, double-blind study comparing a group of patients with a TAP catheter undoing ropivacaine infusion with a placebo group. Patients received a left retroperitoneal pararectal exposure for abdominal aortic surgery. A continuous infusion catheter was placed under visual control by the surgeon before closure and removed after 48hr. All patients had postoperative patient-controlled analgesia with morphine. The primary endpoint was morphine consumption during the first 24hr. The analysis included 25 patients in the placebo group and 24 in the ropivacaine group. The average morphine consumption during the first 24hr was significantly different, with 31±16mg in the ropivacaine group and 41±17mg in the placebo group (P=0.019). At 48hr, morphine consumption was still lower in the ropivacaine group (42±26mg) than in the placebo group (64±25mg) (P=0.003). The opioid narcotic-related side effects of opioid infusion (postoperative nausea and vomiting, constipation) and length of hospital stay were similar in both populations. Our study showed that continuous TAP block with ropivacaine via surgically inserted catheter significantly decreased morphine consumption at 24 and 48hr after elective abdominal aortic surgery by retroperitoneal exposure.

Innate Immune and Neuronal Genetic Markers Are Highly Predictive of Postoperative Pain and Morphine Patient-Controlled Analgesia Requirements in Indian but Not Chinese or Malay Hysterectomy Patients

Pain severity and opioid requirements in the postoperative period show substantial and clinically significant inter-patient variation due mainly to factors such as age, surgery type, and duration. Genetic factors have not been adequately assessed except for the neuronal OPRM1 rs1799971 and COMT rs4680, whereas the contribution of innate immune signaling pathway genetics has seldom been investigated. Hospital surgical ward. Women (107 Indian, 184 Malay, and 750 Han Chinese) undergoing total hysterectomy surgery. Morphine consumption, preoperative pain, and postoperative pain were evaluated in relation to genetic variability comprising 19 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 14 genes involved in glial activation, inflammatory signaling, and neuronal regulation, plus OPRM1 (1 SNP) and COMT (3 SNPs). Pre- and postoperative pain and age were associated with increased and decreased morphine consumption, respectively. In Chinese patients, only 8% of the variability in consumption could be explained by these nongenetic and genetic (BDNF, IL1B, IL6R, CRP, OPRM1, COMT, MYD88) factors. However, in Indian patients, 41% of morphine consumption variability could be explained by age (explaining <3%) and variants in OPRM1 rs1799971, CRP rs2794521, TLR4 rs4986790, IL2 rs2069762, COMT rs4818, TGFB1 rs1800469, and IL6R rs8192284 without controlling for postoperative pain. This is the highest known value reported for genetic contributions (38%) to morphine use in the acute postoperative pain setting. Our findings highlight the need to incorporate both genetic and nongenetic factors and consider ethnicity-dependent and nonadditive genotypic models in the assessment of factors that contribute to variability in opioid use.

Posterior Quadratus Lumborum Block in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Pain management is important for ensuring early mobilization after hip arthroplasty; however, the optimal components remain controversial. Recently, the quadratus lumborum block has been proposed as an analgesic option. The current study tested the hypothesis that the posterior quadratus lumborum block combined with multimodal analgesia decreases morphine consumption after hip arthroplasty. This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Before general anesthesia, 100 participating patients scheduled for elective total hip arthroplasty were randomly allocated to receive a 30-ml injection posterior to the quadratus lumborum muscle with either 0.33% ropivacaine (n = 50) or normal saline (n = 50). For all patients, multimodal analgesia included systematic administration of acetaminophen, ketoprofen, and a morphine intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. The primary outcome was total intravenous morphine consumption in the first 24 h. Secondary outcomes recorded intraoperative sufentanil consumption; morphine consumption in the postanesthesia care unit; pain scores at extubation and at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h; motor blockade; time to first standing and ambulation; hospital length of stay; and adverse events. There was no significant difference in the 24-h total morphine consumption (ropivacaine group, median [interquartile range], 13 [7 to 21] versus saline group, 16 [9 to 21] mg; median difference, -1.5; 95% CI, -5 to 2; P = 0.337). Pain scores were not different between the groups (β = -0.4; 95% CI, -0.9 to 0.2; P = 0.199). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in intraoperative sufentanil consumption, morphine consumption in the postanesthesia care unit, motor blockade, times to first standing (median difference, 0.83 h; 95% CI, -1.7 to 3.4; P = 0.690) and ambulation (median difference, -1.85 h; 95% CI, -4.5 to 0.8; P = 0.173), hospital length of stay, and adverse events. After elective hip arthroplasty, neither morphine consumption nor pain scores were reduced by the addition of a posterior quadratus lumborum block to a multimodal analgesia regimen.

Melatonin and morphine: potential beneficial effects of co-use.

Morphine is a potent analgesic agent used to control acute or chronic pain. Chronic administration of morphine results in analgesic tolerance, hyperalgesia, and other side effects including dependence, addiction, respiratory depression, and constipation, which limit its clinical usage. Therefore, identifying the new analgesics with fewer side effects which could increase the effect of morphine and reduce its side effects is crucial. Melatonin, a multifunctional molecule produced in the body, is known to play an important role in pain regulation. The strong anti-inflammatory effect of melatonin is suggested to be involved in the attenuation of the pain associated with inflammation. Melatonin also increases the anti-nociceptive actions of opioids, such as morphine, and reverses their tolerance through regulating several cellular signaling pathways. In this review, published articles evaluating the effect of the co-consumption of melatonin and morphine in different conditions were investigated. Our results show that melatonin has pain-killing properties when administered alone or in combination with other anti-nociceptive drugs. Melatonin decreases morphine consumption in different pathologies. Furthermore, attenuation of morphine intake can be accompanied by reduction of morphine-associated side-effects, including physical dependence, morphine tolerance, and morphine-related hyperalgesia. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that the combination of melatonin with morphine could reduce morphine-induced tolerance and hyperalgesia, which may result from anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of melatonin. Overall, we underscore that, to further ameliorate patients' life quality and control their pain in various pathological conditions, melatonin deserves to be used with morphine by anesthesiologists in clinical practice.

The Effect Of Preoperative Gabapentin on Pain Severity After Posterior Urethral Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Prevention and treatment of urethroplastic postoperative pain is a major challenge in post-surgery care. gabapentin can treat postoperative pain by preventing excessive sensitivity to the central nervous system. we have tried to compare the effect of gabapentin with the placebo on reducing the pain associated with posterior urethroplasty in patients. This prospective, randomized, double-blind study was scheduled in Shohad e Tajrish hospital where a single dose of Gabapentin was compared with placebo given to patients preoperatively. In this study,100 patients with posterior urethral stricture were included for surgery with 50 patients in each arms .All patients underwent posterior urethroplasty. After surgery, the pain level is assessed and evaluated by the visual analog scale in two hours,four hours, six hours,eight hours, twelve hours, and 24 hours after the operation. In this study, there was a significant difference in the pain level that was evaluated by the visual analog scale in two hours, four hours, six hours, eight hours, twelve hours, and 24 hours after the surgery (p.value <0.001). We also found a significant decrease in morphine consumption in the gabapentin group vs the placebo group. (p.value <0.001) The post-surgery assessments showed significant lower adverse effects such as vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, and pruritus in the gabapentin group vs. placebo group. The consequences of this study revealed that gabapentin effective in controlling posterior urethroplasty postoperative pain, consumption of opioid, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and pruritus compared with the placebo group.

Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in colorectal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Multimodal opioid-sparing analgesia is a key component of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol for postoperative pain management. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has contributed to the implementation of this approach in different kinds of surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of TAP block and its impact on recovery in colorectal surgery. A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases was conducted. Studies that compared TAP block to a control group (no TAP block or placebo) after colorectal resections were included. The effects of TAP block in patients undergoing colorectal surgery were assessed, including the technical aspects of the procedure. Two measures were used to evaluate the effectiveness of postoperative pain control: a numeric pain rating score at rest and on coughing or movement at 24h following surgery and the opioid requirement at 24h. Clinical aspects of recovery were postoperative ileus, surgical site infection, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and length of hospital stay. Sixteen studies were included in the analysis. Data showed that TAP block is a safe procedure associated with a significant reduction in the pain score at rest [WMD - 0.91 (95% CI - 1.56; - 0.27); p < 0.05] and on coughing or movement [WMD - 0.36 (95% CI - 0.72; - 0.01); p < 0.05] at 24h after surgery and a significant decrease in morphine consumption in the TAP block group the day after surgery [WMD - 2.07 (95% CI - 2.63; - 1.51); p < 0.001]. TAP block appears to provide both an effective analgesia and a significant reduction in opioid use on the first postoperative day after colorectal surgery. Its use does not seem to lead to increased postoperative complications.

Serratus Plane Block Is Effective for Pain Control in Patients With Blunt Chest Trauma: A Case Series.

Rib fractures occur frequently following blunt chest trauma and induce morbidity and mortality. Analgesia is a cornerstone for their management, and regional analgesia is one of the tools available to reach this objective. Epidural and paravertebral blocks are the classical techniques used, but the serratus plane block (SPB) has recently been described as an effective technique for thoracic analgesia. This case series reported and analyzed 10 consecutive cases of SPB for blunt chest trauma analgesia in a level 1 trauma center from May to October 2018. SPB was performed with either a single shot of local anesthetic or a catheter infusion. Ten patients were treated with 3 single shots and 7 catheter infusions (median length 3days [interquartile range (IQR) 2.5 to 3.5]). The Median Injury Severity Score was 16 (IQR 16 to 23), and the number of broken ribs ranged from 3 to 22. Daily equivalent oral morphine consumption was significantly decreased after SPB from 108mg (IQR 67 to 120) to 19mg (IQR 0 to 58) (P=0.015). The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score during cough was significantly decreased from 7.3 (IQR 5.3 to 8.8) to 4 (IQR 3.6 to 4.6) (P=0.03). The NPRS score at rest remained unchanged. One complication occurred, due to a catheter section. The SPB technique (with or without catheter insertion) in 10 patients who had blunt chest trauma with rib fractures is effective for cough pain control, with a significant decrease in morphine consumption.

The Effect Of The Use Of Pre-Emptive Oral Pregabalin On The Postoperative Spinal Analgesia In Patients Presented For Orthopedic Surgeries: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundPreoperative oral pregabalin could improve postoperative analgesia and prevent chronic pain development. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of oral pregabalin on the duration and quality of postoperative analgesia in spinal anesthesia.MethodsSixty adult patients presented for internal fixation of femoral fracture under spinal anesthesia were included in the study. They were randomly distributed to a placebo group and a pregabalin group receiving 150 mg pregabalin capsules 1 hr before surgery. The onset, duration, and regression of sensory and motor block were recorded. Rescue analgesia consumption, postoperative pain score, and quality of sleep were also assessed.ResultsOral pregabalin significantly prolonged the time to two-segment regression of sensory block, reaching 86.67±17.88 mins, the time required to regression of spinal block to L2, reaching 155.33± 34.71 mins, and the duration of motor block, reaching 138 ± 23.5 mins, with no effect on the onset of sensory or motor block (P = 0.60 and 0.62). It significantly decreased the VAS score 4 hrs, 6 hrs, and 12 hrs postoperatively, prolonged the duration of postoperative analgesia, reaching 392.00±47.23 mins, and decreased morphine consumption to 7.67±3.65 mg. It also improved the quality of sleep in the first night after surgery.ConclusionPreemptive oral pregabalin prolonged the time to the first request for postoperative analgesics and improved sleep in the first night after surgery.

Dexmedetomidine in combination with morphine improves postoperative analgesia and sleep quality in elderly patients after open abdominal surgery: A pilot randomized control trial.

BackgroundDexmedetomidine in combination with opioids has been used for postoperative analgesia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of dexmedetomidine supplemented intravenous analgesia on morphine consumption and subjective sleep quality in elderly patients after open abdominal surgery.MethodsThis was a pilot randomized controlled trial. 58 elderly patients (age ≥ 60 years) who underwent open abdominal surgery were randomized to receive either dexmedetomidine supplemented morphine analgesia (0.5 mg/ml morphine plus 2 μg/ml dexmedetomidine in 100 ml normal saline, DEX group) or morphine analgesia (0.5 mg/ml morphine in 100 ml normal saline, CTRL group) for 72 hours after surgery. Patient-controlled analgesia pump was programmed to deliver a 2ml bolus with a lockout interval of 8 minutes and a background infusion at a rate of 1 ml/h. The primary endpoint was 72-hour morphine consumption. Secondary endpoints included pain intensity, subjective sleep quality, and 30-day complications and mortality after surgery.ResultsThe 72-hour morphine consumption was lower in the DEX group than in the CTRL group (median 39.0 mg [interquartile range 37.3, 41.0] in the DEX group vs. 49.0 mg [45.5, 50.0] in the CTRL group; median difference -9.0 mg [95% CI -10.0, -6.0], P < 0.001). The intensity of pain within 48 hours was lower (P<0.001 at 4, 12 and 48 hours, P = 0.007 at 24 hours) whereas the subjective quality of sleep was higher (P = 0.031 during the night of surgery and P<0.001 during the 1st night after surgery, respectively) in the DEX group than in the CTRL group. The incidence of 30-day complications did not differ significantly between groups, but it was slightly lower in the DEX group (P = 0.060). There were no significant differences between groups regarding 30-day mortality and the incidences of adverse events.ConclusionsFor elderly patients after open abdominal surgery, dexmedetomidine supplemented analgesia decreases morphine consumption, improves analgesic effects and subjective sleep quality without increasing adverse events.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IPR-14005620.

Early Versus Late Paravertebral Block for Analgesia in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lung Resection. A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Paravertebral local analgesia is effective in providing pain relief after video assisted thoracoscopic surgery. This randomized, double-blind pilot clinical trial investigated the effect of early perioperative delivery of paravertebral local analgesia to reduce postoperative pain after video assisted thoracoscopic lung resection and the feasibility of a larger trial. Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. University hospital, single institution. Patients over 18 years of age having video assisted lung resection surgery. 90 patients undergoing video assisted lung resection were randomized to receive bupivacaine via paravertebral catheter either before lung resection (early; n = 47) or at the end of the operation (late; n = 43). The primary outcome measure was pain on coughing during the first 24 postoperative hours. The 95% confidence interval for a median difference was calculated using the Hodges-Lehman median difference method. There was no difference in pain scores between groups over the first 24 postoperative hours. The median (range) morphine equivalent consumption after 24 hours was 34 (7.3-105) mg with early paravertebral bupivacaine and 40.7 (3-91) mg after late paravertebral bupivacaine. The prevalence of chronic pain at 12 months postoperatively was 8.7% with early paravertebral bupivacaine and 25.8% with late paravertebral bupivacaine; the difference was not statistically significant. The authors found no difference in acute postoperative pain, but the decrease in morphine consumption and prevalence of chronic pain with early paravertebral bupivacaine, although not statistically significant, may warrant further investigation with a larger trial.

Intra-operative periarticular multimodal injection in total knee arthroplasty: a local hospital experience in Hong Kong.

Data from a local report revealed the superior outcome of regional anaesthesia and analgesia compared with general anaesthesia and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia in total knee arthroplasty. This retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy of intra-operative periarticular multimodal injection in improving postoperative pain and reducing morphine consumption with patient-controlled analgesia after total knee arthroplasty in patients with knee osteoarthritis. From July 2005 to May 2009, 213 total knee arthroplasties without intra-operative periarticular multimodal injection (control group) were performed at a local hospital. From June 2009 to December 2012, 185 total knee arthroplasties were performed with intra-operative periarticular multimodal injection (cocktail group). The inclusion criteria were osteoarthritis of the knee, single method of anaesthesia (general or neuraxial), simple total knee arthroplasty without any metal augmentation or constraint, and postoperative patient-controlled analgesia. Postoperative patient-controlled morphine doses were compared. A total of 152 total knee arthroplasties were recruited to the cocktail group, and 89 to the control group. Duration of tourniquet application and preoperative knee score did not significantly correlate with morphine consumption by patient-controlled analgesia. Multimodal injection significantly decreased such consumption for 36 h. When injection was separately analysed for general and neuraxial anaesthesia, the effect lasted for 42 h and 24 h, respectively. Intra-operative periarticular multimodal injection decreased morphine consumption for up to 42 h postoperatively.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Quadratus Lumborum Block type I using ropivacaine in postoperative analgesia after a cesarean section - a controlled clinical study.

Quadratus Lumborum Block in contrast to Transversus Abdominis Plane Block contains a unique component which not only stops somatic pain but also inhibits visceral pain by spreading the local anesthetic to the paravertebral space. This study was designed to determine whether performing the Quadratus Lumborum Block type I in patients un-dergoing cesarean section would be associated with both decreased morphine consumption and decreased pain levels in the postoperative 48-hour period. Sixty patients undergoing caesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomly and equally assigned to one or other of two groups: QLB I (who received Bilateral Quadratus Lumborum Block type I with the use of 24 mL 0.375% ropivacaine per side) or a Control group. In both groups, on-demand morphine analgesia was administered postoperatively within the first 48 hours. The following were measured: the morphine consumption; the time elapsed from the C-section until the first dose of morphine; and the levels of pain intensity among patients in rest (numeral pain rating scale). There were no statistically significant demographic data differences between the QLB I and Control groups. The following significant differences were observed in the 48-hour postoperative period: morphine consumption was higher in the Control group (p = 0.000); the time elapsed from the C-section until the first dose of morphine was longer in QLB I group (p < 0.05); and the median of the pain numeric rating scale was higher in the Control group (p < 0.05). Quadratus Lumborum Block type I significantly reduces morphine consumption and pain levels up to 48 hours postoperatively.

Dexmedetomidine Improves Postoperative Patient-Controlled Analgesia following Radical Mastectomy.

Acute postoperative pain following radical mastectomy is a high risk for prolonged convalescence and potential persistent pain in patients with breast cancer. The present study was designed to observe the effect of intraoperative use of dexmedetomidine on acute postoperative pain following radical mastectomy under general anesthesia. Forty-five patients were enrolled into the study and divided into two groups that were maintained with propofol/remifentanil/Ringer's solution or propofol/remifentanil/Dexmedetomidine followed by morphine-based patient-controlled analgesia. During the first 24 h following surgery, patients receiving dexmedetomine had lower NRS pain scores, decreased morphine consumption, longer time to first morphine request as well as a trending decreased incidence of adverse effects when compared to those received Ringer's solution. In conclusion, the present study finds that intraoperative use of dexmedetomidine could promote analgesic property of postoperative morphine.

The use of gabapentin in the management of postoperative pain after total hip arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BackgroundPain management after total hip arthroplasty (THA) varies and has been widely studied in recent years. Gabapentin as a third-generation antiepileptic drug that selectively affects the nociceptive process has been used for pain relief after THA. This meta-analysis was conducted to examine the efficacy of gabapentin in THA.MethodsAn electronic-based search was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving gabapentin and a placebo for THA were included. The meta-analysis was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.ResultsFive trials met the inclusion criteria. The cumulative narcotic consumption and the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at 24 and 48 h postoperatively were used for postoperative pain assessment. There was a significant decrease in morphine consumption at 24 h (P = 0.00). Compared with the control group, the VAS score (at rest) at 48 h was less in the gabapentin group (P = 0.00).ConclusionThe administration of gabapentin is effective in decreasing postoperative narcotic consumption and the VAS score.

The Assessment of Addition of Either Intravenous Paracetamol or Diclofenac Suppositories to Patient-Controlled Morphine Analgesia for Postgastrectomy Pain Control.

Background:Major surgical procedures, such as gastrectomy, result in extensive postoperative pain, which can lead to increased morbidity, discomfort and dissatisfaction among the patients.Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding diclofenac suppositories or intravenous paracetamol, on morphine consumption and on the quality of postgastrectomy pain control.Patients and Methods:This randomized double blinded clinical trial was carried out in 90 patients with gastric cancer, who were candidates for gastrectomy, which were divided into three similar groups. The patients were transferred to an intensive care unit after the operation and received patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine, morphine PCA plus intravenous paracetamol 1 g, every 6 hours, and morphine PCA plus diclofenac suppositories, 100 mg every 8 hours. The patients were evaluated for up to 24 hours after the operation for the severity of pain, alertness, and opioid complications.Results:There was no significant difference in pain scores among the three groups (P values, after extubation, at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours were 0.72, 0.19, 0.21, 0.66, 0.54, 0.56, and 0.25, respectively), although morphine consumption was greater in the morphine group, compared with the other two groups (21.4 ± 7.7 mg in morphine group vs. 14.3 ± 5.8 mg in morphine-paracetamol group and 14.3 ± 3.9 in morphine-diclofenac group; P = 0.001). In morphine group, during the first 24 hours, the patients had lower levels of consciousness (P values, after extubation, at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hour were 0.6, 0.95, 0.28, 0.005, 0.027, 0.022 and 0.004 respectively), even though the incidence of complications was similar among the three groups.Conclusions:In this study, intravenous paracetamol or diclofenac suppositories, administered for postgastrectomy pain control, decreased morphine consumption by almost 32% and also improved alertness. Nevertheless, the amount of opioids did not affect the incidence of complications.

Haloperidol Adjunct With Morphine on Postoperative Pain Management in Opioid-Addicted Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery

Background:: Postoperative pain in addicted patients is important because they are opioid tolerant, they have abnormal pain sensitivity and psychological disorders. Many modalities and combination of medications have been used to reduce the suffering of addicted patients’ postoperative pain. There has been some evidence for the use of antipsychotics for such pain control. Objectives:: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of morphine versus morphine/haloperidol on postoperative pain management in opioid-addicted patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Patients and Methods:: In this randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial, 101 addicted patients were divided randomly into two groups. For pain intensity, the categorical scale was marked by asking the patient at time zero in the recovery unit. The patients received 0.1 mg/kg morphine with either 20 mg haloperidol or 4 mL normal saline in the first episode of pain, according to the study groups. Pain ratings were obtained at 30-minute intervals till two hours. Pain scores were measured by the summation of numbers equal to pain severity in the categorical scale. The total morphine dosage was also assessed in the study. Results:: The trend of decrease in the pain scores between the placebo and haloperidol groups was significant (P < 0.001) with higher slope in the haloperidol group. The trend of decrease in morphine consumption between the groups was significant (P < 0.001) with higher slope in the haloperidol group. In the placebo group, at hour two, 45 patients (90%) were pain-free, whereas in the haloperidol group, 51 patients (100%) were pain-free (P = 0.027). The total morphine dosages used in the two groups had a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Conclusions:: Haloperidol together with morphine is beneficial in postoperative pain management in opium-addicted patients.