Duration Of Patient-controlled Analgesia Use Research Articles

The Safety and Effectiveness of Patient-controlled Analgesia in Outpatient Children and Young Adults With Cancer: A Retrospective Study.

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is safe and effective in hospitalized children; however, data regarding its use for outpatients are limited. The aims of the study are to determine the safety of outpatient PCA and to compare the standard and proxy PCA groups. All patients receiving outpatient PCA over 54 months were included in this retrospective study. Data regarding age, sex, diagnosis, PCA initiation/discontinuation circumstances, patient versus proxy-authorized PCA type, opioid doses, pain scores, and complications were collected. Nonparametric tests (Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test for comparing 2 groups or Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test for comparing >2 groups) were used to compare duration of PCA use, opioid doses, pain scores, and circumstances of initiation and discontinuation of outpatient PCA. Forty-five patients used 69 outpatient PCAs. The complication rate was 0.36%. The starting mean MED (mg/kg/d) was 1.67 when initiation was for an outpatient and 4.04 for those discharged from the hospital with PCA; this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.13). The analysis of mean opioid doses in relationship to the circumstances for the discontinuation of the outpatient PCA revealed a significantly higher dose (mg/kg/d) in the group of patients who died (19.54) than in the group with a change of status to inpatient or transfer to another hospital or hospice (3.70) and in the group in which PCA was discontinued because pain management no longer required a PCA (1.19). The mean opioid daily doses and pain scores were significantly higher at the end of life (P<0.0001). Outpatient PCA use for children and young adults with cancer is safe.

Harmonic dissection versus electrocautery in breast surgery in regional Victoria

Harmonic instruments are an alternative tool for surgical dissection. The aim of this study is to evaluate differences in clinical outcomes relating to harmonic dissection when compared with electrocautery in patients undergoing major breast surgery in a regional centre over a 3-year period. Retrospective chart analysis was conducted of 52 patients undergoing major breast surgery for carcinoma or ductal carcinoma in situ by a single surgeon in a regional centre from May 2008 to January 2011. Analysis involved the extraction of qualitative data relating to patient demographics, surgery type and specimen histopathology. Quantitative data were extracted relating to duration of surgery, duration of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) use, length of hospital admission, drainage output and presence of infection, haematoma or seroma. Fifty-two patients underwent major breast surgery; harmonic dissection n = 32 and electrocautery n = 20. The two groups were comparable. There was no significant difference identified relating the outcome measures. The median operative duration was shorter in the harmonic dissection group, however, was not of statistical significance. No significant difference was identified between groups relating to length of inpatient stay, duration of PCA use and total volume wound drainage and total days of drainage. Incidence of seroma and infection in the groups was not significantly different. The harmonic dissection is safe and effective in major breast surgery. The study did not demonstrate any clinical advantage from the use of harmonic dissection in major breast surgery compared with electrocautery, nor was there any difference in the complication rates measured.

Parent-controlled PCA for Pain Management in Pediatric Oncology

Patient-controlled analgesia offers safe and effective pain control for children who can self-administer medication. Some children may not be candidates for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) unless a proxy can administer doses. The safety of proxy-administered PCA has been studied, but the safety of parent-administered PCA in children with cancer has not been reported. In this study, we compare the rate of complications in PCA by parent proxy versus PCA by clinician (nurse) proxy and self-administered PCA. Our pediatric institution's quality improvement database was reviewed for adverse events associated with PCA from 2004 through 2010. Each PCA day was categorized according to patient or proxy authorization. Data from 6151 PCA observation days were included; 61.3% of these days were standard PCA, 23.5% were parent-proxy PCA, and 15.2% were clinician-proxy PCA days. The mean duration of PCA use was 12.1 days, and the mean patient age was 12.3 years. The mean patient age was lower in the clinician-proxy (9.4 y) and parent-proxy (5.1 y) groups, respectively. The complication rate was lowest in the parent-proxy group (0.62%). We found that proxy administration of PCA by authorized parents is as safe as clinician administered and standard PCA at our pediatric institution.

Intraoperative Nitrous Oxide as a Preventive Analgesic

Preventive analgesia is defined as the persistence of the analgesic effects of a drug beyond the clinical activity of the drug. The N-methyl D-aspartate receptor plays a critical role in the sensitisation of pain pathways induced by injury. Nitrous oxide inhibits excitatory N-methyl D-aspartate sensitive glutamate receptors. The objective of our study was to test the efficacy of nitrous oxide as a preventive analgesic. We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from a subset of patients (n = 100) randomly selected from a previous major multicentre randomised controlled trial on nitrous oxide (ENIGMA trial). Data analysed included postoperative analgesic requirements, pain scores and duration of patient-controlled analgesia during the first 72 postoperative hours. There was no significant difference in postoperative oral morphine equivalent usage (nitrous group 248 mg, no nitrous group 289 mg, mean difference -43 mg, 95% confidence interval 141 to 54 mg). However, patients who received nitrous oxide had a shorter duration of patient-controlled analgesia use (nitrous group 35 hours, no nitrous group 51 hours, mean difference -16 hours, 95% confidence interval -29 to -2 hours, P = 0.022). There was no difference in pain scores between the groups. The shorter patient-controlled analgesia duration in the nitrous oxide group suggests that intraoperative nitrous oxide may have a preventive analgesic effect.

Is the Combination of Morphine with Ketamine Better than Morphine Alone for Postoperative Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia?

The addition of ketamine to morphine for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is supported by previous basic and clinical research, but has been challenged by subsequent negative studies. Important limitations of previous studies are the low number of patients analyzed, the use of morphine-ketamine combinations that may not the optimal, and that not all the relevant outcomes have been analyzed. In this study, we compared the combination of morphine and ketamine with morphine alone for postoperative PCA in large patient groups. We used a morphine-ketamine combination identified by an optimization procedure in our previous study. After major elective orthopedic surgery, 352 patients received either PCA with morphine bolus 1.5 mg (Group M, n = 176) or a bolus of morphine plus ketamine 1.5 mg each (Group MK, n = 176) in a randomized, double-blind fashion. Unsatisfactory treatment was defined as the occurrence of either inadequate analgesia or unacceptable side effects. In addition, total consumption of PCA drugs, duration of PCA use, direct medical costs, and number of patients with chronic postoperative pain 3 and 6 mo after operation were recorded. The incidence of unsatisfactory treatment was 33.0% in Group M and 36.9% in Group MK (P = 0.50). No significant differences were found between the groups with respect to secondary end points. Small-dose ketamine combined with morphine for PCA provides no benefit to patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery and cannot be recommended for routine use.

Postoperative morphine consumption in children with sickle-cell disease

Summary Background : Effective pain control is a primary goal in the perioperative management of patients with sickle-cell disease. To understand analgesic requirements better, the authors compared postoperative morphine consumption and pain scores in sickle and nonsickle children who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of all sickle and nonsickle children referred to the Acute Pain Service of a tertiary care teaching hospital for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy from 1996 to 2003. Data collected included postoperative morphine consumption, visual analogue pain scores, and perioperative outcome. Results : Total postoperative morphine consumption in sickle children (n = 12) (1.58 ± 0.78 mg·kg−1) was more than double when compared with nonsickle children (n = 10) (0.65 ± 0.32 mg·kg−1) (P < 0.005). Duration of PCA use among sickle children (51 ± 25 h) was more than double when compared with nonsickle children (21 ± 11 h) (P < 0.005). Sickle patients had greater pain scores in the initial 24 h after surgery (P < 0.05) and used more adjuvant analgesics (P < 0.05). Duration of postoperative hospital stay was 3.4 ± 1.6 days and 1.5 ± 0.5 days for sickle and nonsickle children, respectively (P < 0.005). Conclusions : Sickle children self-administered more than double the amount of morphine, reported more intense pain, and remained hospitalized for more than twice as long as nonsickle children undergoing the same surgical procedure. These findings probably have a multifactorial origin, and might be attributable in part to alterations in pain perception, opioid pharmacokinetics, opioid tolerance, and psychosocial variables.

Postoperative morphine consumption in children with sickle‐cell disease

Effective pain control is a primary goal in the perioperative management of patients with sickle-cell disease. To understand analgesic requirements better, the authors compared postoperative morphine consumption and pain scores in sickle and non-sickle children who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We reviewed the medical records of all sickle and non-sickle children referred to the Acute Pain Service of a tertiary care teaching hospital for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy from 1996 to 2003. Data collected included postoperative morphine consumption, visual analogue pain scores, and perioperative outcome. Total postoperative morphine consumption in sickle children (n = 12) (1.58 +/- 0.78 mg.kg(-1)) was more than double when compared with non-sickle children (n = 10) (0.65 +/- 0.32 mg.kg(-1)) (P < 0.005). Duration of PCA use among sickle children (51 +/- 25 h) was more than double when compared with non-sickle children (21 +/- 11 h) (P < 0.005). Sickle patients had greater pain scores in the initial 24 h after surgery (P < 0.05) and used more adjuvant analgesics (P < 0.05). Duration of postoperative hospital stay was 3.4 +/- 1.6 days and 1.5 +/- 0.5 days for sickle and non-sickle children, respectively (P < 0.005). Sickle children self-administered more than double the amount of morphine, reported more intense pain, and remained hospitalized for more than twice as long as nonsickle children undergoing the same surgical procedure. These findings probably have a multifactorial origin, and might be attributable in part to alterations in pain perception, opioid pharmacokinetics, opioid tolerance, and psychosocial variables.

Comparison of morphine/droperidol and tramadol/droperidol mixture for patient controlled analgesia (PCA) after cardiac surgery: a prospective, randomised, double-blind study

Abstract Aim: To determine whether a tramadol/droperidol PCA is as efficacious but causes less respiratory depression and sedation than a morphine/droperidol PCA in post cardiac surgical patients. Methods: A single centre, randomised double-blind study of 40 patients was performed. Group one or control (20) patients received a morphine/droperidol PCA and group two or experimental patients received a tramadol/droperidol PCA after cardiac surgery. PCA was commenced after extubation in the ICU, as is normal practice at this institution. Study continued for 24 h and the following data was collected; PCA consumption, pain, nausea and sedation scores as well as patient satisfaction/recovery (QoRS) score. Results: No difference between groups was detected for demographic variables. There was no statistically significant difference between groups for dose or duration of PCA use or in recorded pain scores. The morphine group had a significantly higher QoRS score. Both groups had a very low incidence of nausea. Conclusion: Tramadol/droperidol PCA does not confer a better recovery after cardiac surgery when compared to morphine/droperidol PCA.

A prospective survey of patients after cessation of patient-controlled analgesia.

Cessation of IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in the postoperative period is often an arbitrary clinical decision. We conducted a prospective survey of patients 24 h after cessation of IV PCA morphine to determine whether they wished to be restarted on PCA, and to evaluate factors affecting this decision. One hundred and fifteen patients were surveyed over a 3-mo period. Thirty-eight patients (33%) wished to restart PCA. The most common reason was the expectation that IV PCA would be more effective. Age, sex, type of surgery, duration of PCA use, side effects, pain scores, and reasons for cessation of PCA did not affect the decision. The reasons given by those who did not wish to restart PCA were minimal pain (51.9%), inconvenient PCA machine (15.6%), ineffective analgesia by IV PCA (11.7%), side effects during PCA (11.7%), and wishing to tolerate pain (7.8%). PCA morphine consumption in the 24-h period before cessation of PCA (mean [SD]) was larger in patients wishing to restart PCA than in those who did not (21.1 [14.8] mg vs 15.1 [15.1] mg; P < 0.05). In conclusion, the clinical decisions to cease IV PCA do not predict patient acceptance of and satisfaction with the decision and with subsequent pain treatment. Morphine consumption may predict a patient's acceptance of ceasing PCA. We surveyed patients 24 h after cessation of IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). This survey revealed that the usual clinical reasons to stop IV PCA might not be the most appropriate. Patients have different reasons why they wish to restart or not restart IV PCA. The cessation of PCA should be individualized.

Acetaminophen as an Adjunct to Morphine by Patient-Controlled Analgesia in the Management of Acute Postoperative Pain

UNLABELLED Opioids play a fundamental role in the management of postoperative pain, but their use is associated with a number of side effects, including nausea and vomiting, sedation, and respiratory depression. Co-administration of a nonopioid has been proposed as a method of reducing opioid intake and minimizing side effects. Sixty-one ASA physical status I and II patients were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel study to investigate the effect of a combination of acetaminophen and morphine after open reduction and internal fixation of acute limb fractures. Patients were randomized to receive either oral acetaminophen (1 g every 4 h) or placebo as an adjuvant to morphine by patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) postoperatively. They were assessed daily for 72 h or until the PCA was discontinued according to standardized guidelines. The outcome variables collected were pain scores (11-point scale), amount of morphine self-administered, duration of PCA use, compliance with study design, incidence of nausea and sedation, and overall patient satisfaction. The acetaminophen group had lower pain scores on Day 1 (2.1 vs 3.3; P = 0.03) and a shorter average duration of PCA use (35.8 vs 45.5 h; P = 0.03). Overall patient satisfaction was also significantly greater in the acetaminophen group (8.7 vs 7.9; P = 0.04). These data suggest that acetaminophen is a useful adjunct to morphine PCA. IMPLICATIONS This study assesses the benefit of combining two analgesics for the treatment of postoperative pain. Such a combination improves the quality of pain relief and patient satisfaction.

Acetaminophen as an Adjunct to Morphine by Patient-Controlled Analgesia in the Management of Acute Postoperative Pain

Opioids play a fundamental role in the management of postoperative pain, but their use is associated with a number of side effects, including nausea and vomiting, sedation, and respiratory depression.Co-administration of a nonopioid has been proposed as a method of reducing opioid intake and minimizing side effects. Sixty-one ASA physical status I and II patients were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel study to investigate the effect of a combination of acetaminophen and morphine after open reduction and internal fixation of acute limb fractures. Patients were randomized to receive either oral acetaminophen (1 g every 4 h) or placebo as an adjuvant to morphine by patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) postoperatively. They were assessed daily for 72 h or until the PCA was discontinued according to standardized guidelines. The outcome variables collected were pain scores (11-point scale), amount of morphine self-administered, duration of PCA use, compliance with study design, incidence of nausea and sedation, and overall patient satisfaction. The acetaminophen group had lower pain scores on Day 1 (2.1 vs 3.3; P = 0.03) and a shorter average duration of PCA use (35.8 vs 45.5 h; P = 0.03). Overall patient satisfaction was also significantly greater in the acetaminophen group (8.7 vs 7.9; P = 0.04). These data suggest that acetaminophen is a useful adjunct to morphine PCA. Implications: This study assesses the benefit of combining two analgesics for the treatment of postoperative pain. Such a combination improves the quality of pain relief and patient satisfaction. (Anesth Analg 1998;87:368-72)

Early experience with laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection.

Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (LAPR) has not been fully evaluated as a technique in the treatment of rectal and anal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the early experience with laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection at Washington University Medical Center. A prospective analysis was performed on the first 21 patients undergoing the procedure at Washington University Medical Center. Indications for surgery included rectal cancer (14 patients), anal squamous cell cancer (four patients), inflammatory bowel disease (two patients), and anal melanoma (one patient). The procedure was converted to open procedure in four patients (19%). The mean (+/-SEM) operative time and blood loss for completed and converted LAPR were 239 +/- 11 min and 424 +/- 43 ml, respectively. Postoperative hematocrit dropped a mean of 8.3% +/- 1.2% SEM; five patients required blood transfusion (24%). Wound complication occurred in four patients (19%; three perineal, one trocar site). Bowel function returned after a mean of 3 days, and mean postoperative hospital stay for the completed LAPR group was 5 days. Mild pain was experienced by 81% of patients (17/21) while 19% (4/21) noted moderate pain, usually of the perineal wound. The mean duration of patient-controlled analgesia use was 2 days. During the 1-44-month follow-up, six patients (29%) died from cancer (stage III or IV at operation) and only one patient developed local recurrence in the pelvis (5%). There were no trocar-site implants of cancer. Furthermore, there was no relationship between prior abdominal operations, the amount of blood loss, postoperative drop of hematocrit, or blood transfusion requirement and the length of hospitalization or complication rates. Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection is a feasible alternative to the conventional open technique in both cancer and colitis patients.

Use of patient-controlled analgesia for pain control for children receiving bone marrow transplant

We report 2 years' experience managing 39 preteen (ages 4–12 years) children with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for pain associated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We prescribed morphine or hydromorphine PCA (starting bolus 20 μg/kg morphine or 2 μg/kg hydromorphone) with or without continuous infusion (CI), for a period of 6–74 days. The duration of PCA use (median 19 days) depended upon severity of mucositis or other painful conditions. The peak morphine use was on the 11th day after BMT. We prescribed CI opioids in addition to PCA, either at night or around the clock, in 52% of patients. Ninety-five percent of children successfully mastered PCA to control pain associated with BMT. We observed no instances of drug misuse, parental tampering, accidental overdose, or difficulty weaning from opioids. We conclude that opioid PCA, with or without CI, over several days or weeks is safe and effective for preteen children suffering BMT-related pain.