Intrathecal Analgesia Research Articles

Validation Study of UPLC Method for Determination of Morphine, Ropivacaïne and Ziconotide in Combination for Intrathecal Analgesia

Pain is often considered as the most feared symptom amongst individuals living with cancer. It can arrive at any stage during the course of the illness. In 15% to 20% of patients, conventional analgesic therapy either fails to relieve pain or induces adverse effects. Use of analgesic admixture has been recommended by the most recent consensus conferences. Several studies found evidence of synergistic effects of intrathecal analgesic admixtures, most notably these containing ziconotide, morphine and ropivacaine, administering by a fully implantable pumps. The refills were prepared under a laminar airflow hood under strictly aseptic conditions, by the hospital pharmacist. This group of drugs that commonly used can be at the origin of errors inducing adverse effects in patients. In order to evaluate the accuracy of compounding of intrathecal admixtures, a new analytical method by simple liquid chromatography ultraviolet spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of three analgesic drugs (morphine, ropivacaine and ziconotide). The method was validated according to the recommendation of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The method was linear, between 0.1 to 4 μg/ml for ziconotide, 0.1 to 10 mg/ ml for ropivacaine and 0.1 to 32 mg/ml for morphine. Forced degradation of ziconotide by acidic conditions allowed formation and detection of degradation products by the analytical method. This method can be considered as a stability indicating method. It is also part of a continuing quality process designed to improve accuracy of preparation.

Simultaneous Determination of Sufentanil and Ziconotide in Combination for Intrathecal Analgesia by UPLC-UV

AbstractIntrathecal analgesia has increased over the past two decades based on high level proof of efficacy in patients with cancer. Morphine and Ziconotide remains the reference. Polyanalgesic Consensus Conference IT treatment algorithm recommends as the second line therapy opioids/ziconotide combination. Sufentanil and ziconotide combination can be used. The implantable pumps development helped to improve the comfort of the patient. The refills were prepared under a laminar airflow hood under strictly aseptic conditions, by the hospital pharmacist. In order to secure the process, a new analytical method by simple liquid chromatography ultraviolet spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of two analgesic drugs (sufentanil, ziconotide). The method was validated according to the recommendation of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The method was linear between 0.1 to 4 μg/mL for ziconotide and 3.125 to 50 µg/mL for sufentanil. This routine quality control analysis secures the production process.

A case of enterocutaneous fistula with effective emergent intrathecal analgesia for drainage irrigation of abscess

A case of enterocutaneous fistula with effective emergent intrathecal analgesia for drainage irrigation of abscess

Continuous Spinal Analgesia for Labor and Delivery: An Observational Study with a 23-Gauge Spinal Catheter.

The aim of the study was to assess postdural puncture headache, pain relief, motor blockade, and success rate of conversion to cesarean delivery anesthesia of a 23-gauge spinal catheter (Wiley Spinal®) for labor analgesia. After insertion of the spinal catheter, intrathecal bupivacaine 2.5 mg was administered, followed by patient-controlled intrathecal analgesia (basal infusion of 0.0625% bupivacaine with fentanyl 2 μg/mL at a rate of 2 mL/h, demand bolus 1 mL, lockout interval 20 minutes). Bupivacaine 0.5%, up to 25 mg, was administered via the catheter along with fentanyl 20 μg for cesarean delivery anesthesia, if necessary. The catheter was removed after delivery or after 12 hours, whichever was longer. One hundred thirteen women were enrolled. In 12 women (11%), the catheter was not successfully inserted or maintained in position. Continuous spinal analgesia was used in 101 women. Three women (2.6%, 95% confidence interval, 0.7%-8.1%) developed postdural puncture headache. There were 83 spontaneous, 12 operative vaginal, and 18 cesarean deliveries. Of the 18 cesarean deliveries, 16 had continuous spinal analgesia when the decision was made to perform a cesarean delivery; conversion from labor analgesia to cesarean anesthesia was successful in 15 women (94%, 95% confidence interval, 67.7%-99.7%). The 23-gauge spinal catheter can be used for analgesia for labor. It can also be converted to surgical anesthesia for cesarean deliveries. Further studies are warranted to determine whether the spinal catheter will be a useful addition to the neuraxial techniques available for obstetric anesthesia care.

Intrathecal Analgesia for Chronic Refractory Pain: Current and Future Prospects.

The intrathecal drug-delivery system (IDDS) is one mode of infusing analgesic medications directly into the cerebrospinal fluid in close proximity to their site of action. This modality has been employed in patients with refractory pain either due to malignant or non-malignant causes for over 30 years. Unfortunately, and despite the number of years it has been in use, there is still a scarcity of rigorous evidence to guide its integration into clinical practice. Current best evidence is inconclusive as to the comparative effectiveness and harms of the IDDS relative to routine medical care of patients. There are far more systematic reviews than high-quality primary comparative studies of the IDDS vs. conventional pain treatment. Existing clinical practice recommendations are best viewed as expert opinion with competing interests. This article will review the existing literature for indications, contraindications, consensus statements, different technologies, and complications of the IDDS. Although approved analgesics for IDDS delivery are limited to morphine and ziconotide, many other analgesics, alone or in combination, are routinely used in this setting. This review will also focus on the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and safety of intrathecal medications extensively used in clinical practice; including agents approved, unapproved, and under development.

Trialing and Maintenance Dosing Using a Low-Dose Intrathecal Opioid Method for Chronic Nonmalignant Pain: A Prospective 36-Month Study.

To evaluate low-dose intrathecal opioid trialing and maintenance with regard to analgesia and psychometric functional capacity. Prospective cohort of subjects offered, trialed and maintained using low-dose opioid therapy via an intrathecal drug delivery system. Analgesia, measured by visual analog scale and the Global Pain Scale, and function, measured by Multidimensional Pain Inventory and Global Pain Scale, are evaluated. Population analysis by age, gender, oral opioid dose, diagnosis, and pain type is reported. Fifty-eight subjects enrolled in the 36-month evaluation period with mean opioid intrathecal opioid dose less than 350 μg per day of morphine equivalent utilized. Primary nociceptive pain type were associated with lower intrathecal opioid doses and improved visual analog scale pain rating and improved pain severity and interference on the Multidimensional Pain Inventory. This study adds to the growing body of literature suggesting that low-dose intrathecal analgesia without oral opioid supplementation can be efficacious. It appears that this approach may achieve analgesia with lower doses in those with primary nociceptive pain type.

Analgesic Efficacy of Local Infiltration Analgesia in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in local infiltration analgesia (LIA) as a technique to control postoperative pain. We conducted a systematic review of randomized clinical trials investigating LIA for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of LIA for early postoperative pain treatment. In addition, the analgesic efficacy of wound catheters and implications for length of hospital stay (LOS) were evaluated. Twenty-seven randomized controlled trials in 756 patients operated on with THA and 888 patients operated on with TKA were selected for inclusion in the review. In THA, no additional analgesic effect of LIA compared with placebo was reported in trials with low risk of bias when a multimodal analgesic regimen was administered perioperatively. Compared with intrathecal morphine and epidural analgesia, LIA was reported to have similar or improved analgesic efficacy. In TKA, most trials reported reduced pain and reduced opioid requirements with LIA compared with a control group treated with placebo/no injection. Compared with femoral nerve block, epidural or intrathecal morphine LIA provided similar or improved analgesia in the early postoperative period but most trials had a high risk of bias due to different systemic analgesia between groups. Overall, the use of wound catheters for postoperative administration of local anaesthetic was not supported in the included trials, and LOS was not related to analgesic efficacy. Despite the many studies of LIA, final interpretation is hindered by methodological insufficiencies in most studies, especially because of differences in use of systemic analgesia between groups. However, LIA provides effective analgesia in the initial postoperative period after TKA in most randomized clinical trials even when combined with multimodal systemic analgesia. In contrast, LIA may have limited additional analgesic efficacy in THA when combined with a multimodal analgesic regimen. Postoperative administration of local anaesthetic in wound catheters did not provide additional analgesia when systemic analgesia was similar and LOS was not related to use of LIA with a fast-track set-up.

Intravenous Patient-Controlled Morphine and Intrathecal Morphine Analgesia After Tibial Fracture Surgery Under Spinal Anesthesia

Background:: Physiological responses to pain and trauma have negative and dangerous effects on all organs. Objectives:: This study aimed to compare intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and intrathecal morphine in patients undergoing tibial fracture surgery under spinal anesthesia. Patients and Methods:: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 80 patients undergoing tibial fracture surgery, aged 20 - 50 years and under class I and II of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). They were randomly divided into two equal groups. Patients in the first group received spinal anesthesia with 3 mL marcaine 0.5% and 2 µg/kg (1 mL) morphine. Patients in the second group received the same, but instead of morphine we used 1 mL of distilled water. In the second group, immediately after the spinal anesthesia, 1 mg/hour morphine PCA pump was connected to the patients. In both groups, the following variables were assessed every hour for 12 hours by a third party (a trained anesthesiologist assistant): pain through visual analog scale, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, respiratory complications, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate. Data were collected using a questionnaire and then analyzed by Student’s t-test, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-squared tests in SPSS software. Results:: The ANOVA test showed that there was no meaningful difference in pain between the two groups within the 12 hours after the surgery, based on visual analogue scale (VAS) (despite a slightly higher VAS in group one) (P = 0.17). There was no meaningful difference between the patients in pruritus, nausea, vomiting and respiratory complications in the two groups. Conclusions:: Given the similar level of pain, complications, and the hemodynamic signs postoperatively in both groups, we concluded that it is better to use a single dose of intrathecal morphine instead of morphine PCA pump.

Infectious Complications of Intrathecal Drug Administration Systems for Spasticity and Chronic Pain: 145 Patients From a Tertiary Care Center.

Studies on the use of intrathecal perfusion devices (IPD) are still limited and therefore the aim of this study is to access the infectious complications associated to these devices. A retrospective analysis of 145 patients who had an IPD implanted at the Chronic Pain Unit of Hospital de São João over the last 20 years. Mean follow-up time was 7.24 years (range: 0.47-17.41 years). Intrathecal antispastic drug perfusion was used in 123 patients (84.8%) and intrathecal analgesia in 22 patients. A total of 19 (8.71%) infections involving the IPD were identified of which, 14 (6.4%) were surgical site infections (SSIs). Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated bacteria in this group. Superficial SSIs were treated with oral antibiotic treatment or local wound care, while in deep SSI the pump was removed. Meningitis was identified in 5 (2.3%) patients and was always preceded by deep surgical site infections, some of which were already being treated with intravenous antibiotics. Median time to meningitis development was 2.2 months (IQR 82.58 months), after the introduction of the pump. Pump removal with anti-biotherapy were the treatment of choice. One patient died of a septic shock with associated meningitis and urinary tract infection. As seen in this study, infectious complications following implantation of IPD are not uncommon and include a variety of microorganisms. Antibiotic therapy without pump removal may be enough for superficial surgical site infections, but our data suggests that pump removal is the treatment of choice for deep infections as the infection may proceed to meningitis.

Low-dose spinal anaesthesia provides effective labour analgesia and does not limit ambulation

Background: While epidural analgesia for labour pain is standard in high-resource countries, minimal to no analgesia is usually provided in low-resource countries. Intrathecal local anaesthetics provide good pain relief, but the potential impact on ambulation is of concern. Our objective was to determine if a low-dose local anaesthetic combined with an opioid would provide reasonable pain relief, while allowing ambulation in a low-resource setting.Method: This prospective, observational study was conducted at the Tamale Teaching Hospital in Tamale, Ghana. Spinal analgesia was administered to healthy women in labour using a pencil-point 25-G spinal needle at the L3–L4 or L4–L5 interspace, with patients in the sitting position. The intrathecal mixture contained 25 μg of fentanyl, 2.5 mg of bupivacaine and 0.2 mg of morphine. The patient’s ability to ambulate following the administration of a low-dose spinal injection was the primary outcome measured. Pain ratings, blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, headaches and foetal bradycardia were also recorded.Results: Three hundred and thirty-two parturients consented to participate. Following spinal injection, 328 women (98.8%) experienced mild to no pain, and 4 (1.2%) moderate pain. The administration of spinal analgesia had no effect on ambulation in 291 (87.7%) patients, and a mild effect in 41 (12.3%) patients. Intrathecal analgesia did not severely limit ambulation in any of the patients.Conclusion: Low-dose intrathecal analgesia can provide effective analgesia for labouring patients in low-resource settings without limiting ambulation.

麻酔科医だからできる緩和医療：脊髄くも膜下鎮痛法

麻酔科医だからできる緩和医療：脊髄くも膜下鎮痛法

Prospective Observational Study of Patient-Controlled Intrathecal Analgesia: Impact on Cancer-Associated Symptoms, Breakthrough Pain Control, and Patient Satisfaction.

Although data exist for the efficacy of intrathecal therapy (ITT), there are no prospective data on patient-controlled intrathecal analgesia (PCIA) in refractory cancer pain. This study examines the effect of PCIA on cancer symptom scores, patient satisfaction, and analgesic efficacy with an emphasis on breakthrough pain (BTP). Ninety-eight patients with refractory cancer pain prospectively completed questionnaires including the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory and a BTP survey before and after the implantation of an intrathecal pump. Fifty-eight patients were included in the study group. Average "worst" pain scores decreased from 8.32 (SD, 1.73) pre-ITT to 4.98 (SD, 2.92) post-ITT, P < 0.001. Severe pain (numerical rating score ≥7) decreased from 84.2% to 35.2% (P < 0.001). Mean daily morphine equivalent dosing decreased from 805.3 mg/d to 128.2 mg/d, with 65.5% of patients discontinuing all nonintrathecal opioids. The mean MD Anderson Symptom Inventory symptom severity score decreased from 4.98 to 3.72 (P < 0.0001), and the symptom interference score from 6.53 to 4.37 (P < 0.001). Pain reduction was 46.8% with pre-ITT breakthrough medications and 65.2% with PCIA (P < 0.001). Median time to onset was 30 minutes with pre-ITT breakthrough medications and 10 minutes with PCIA (P < 0.001). Patient-controlled intrathecal analgesia, compared with conventional BTP medications, was "a lot better" in 60.7% and "a little better" in 28.6%. Overall pain control satisfaction was also improved, with 78.2% "a lot better" and 10.9% "I have no pain." In patients with poorly controlled cancer pain, PCIA is associated with improved pain control, improved cancer-related symptoms, and high satisfaction. Compared with conventional BTP regimens, PCIA provides superior analgesia and a 3-fold faster onset of action.

くも膜下鎮痛（皮下ポート）法に合併した髄膜炎をポート非抜去にて治療した難治性がん性痛の1症例

くも膜下鎮痛（皮下ポート）法に合併した髄膜炎をポート非抜去にて治療した難治性がん性痛の1症例

Current perspectives on intrathecal drug delivery.

Advances in intrathecal analgesia and intrathecal drug delivery systems have allowed for a range of medications to be used in the control of pain and spasticity. This technique allows for reduced medication doses that can decrease the side effects typically associated with oral or parenteral drug delivery. Recent expert panel consensus guidelines have provided care paths in the treatment of nociceptive, neuropathic, and mixed pain syndromes. While the data for pain relief, adverse effect reduction, and cost-effectiveness with cancer pain control are compelling, the evidence is less clear for noncancer pain, other than spasticity. Physicians should be aware of mechanical, pharmacological, surgical, and patient-specific complications, including possible granuloma formation. Newer intrathecal drug delivery systems may allow for better safety and quality of life outcomes.

A prospective cohort study of intrathecal versus epidural analgesia for patients undergoing hepatic resection

BackgroundThe aim of this prospective observational study was to compare peri/post-operative outcomes of thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) versus intrathecal morphine and fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia (ITM+fPCA) for patients undergoing a hepatic resection (HR). MethodPatients undergoing elective, one-stage, open HR for benign and malignant liver lesions, receiving central neuraxial block as part of the anaesthetic, in a high-volume hepato-pancreato-biliary unit, were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was post-operative length of stay (LoS). ResultsA total of 73 patients (36 TEA and 37 ITM+fPCA) were included in the study. The median (IQR) post-operative LoS was 13 (11–15) and 11 (9–13) days in the TEA and ITM+fPCA groups, respectively (P = 0.011). There was significantly lower median intra-operative central venous pressure (P < 0.001) and blood loss (P = 0.017) in the TEA group, and a significant reduction in the time until mobilization (P < 0.001), post-operative intra-venous fluid/vasopressor requirement (P < 0.001/P = 0.004) in the ITM+fPCA group. Pain scores were lower at a clinically significant level 12h post-operatively in the TEA group (P < 0.001); otherwise there were no differences out to day five. There were no differences in quality of recovery or postoperative morbidity/mortality between the two groups. ConclusionITM+fPCA provides acceptable post-operative outcomes for HR, but may also increase the incidence of intra-operative blood loss in comparison to TEA.

Outcomes after implementation of a multimodal standard care pathway for laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

The aim of the study was to assess which aspects of an enhanced recovery programme are associated with better outcomes following laparoscopic colorectal surgery. A database of laparoscopic colorectal procedures performed in 2011 was reviewed. Elements of the enhanced recovery programme and compliance were evaluated for short-term (30-day) outcomes. Individual elements included gabapentin, celecoxib, intrathecal analgesia, diet, postoperative fluids, and paracetamol/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug pain management. Five hundred and forty-one consecutive procedures were included. Compliance with the enhanced recovery programme elements ranged from 82.4 to 99.3 per cent. Median length of hospital stay was 3 (i.q.r. 2-5) days, with 25.9 per cent of patients discharged within 48 h. Patients without complications had a median length of stay of 3 (i.q.r. 2-4) days if compliant and 3 (3-5) days if not (P < 0.001). Low oral opiate intake (oral morphine equivalent of less than 30 mg) (odds ratio (OR) 1.97, 95 per cent confidence interval 1.29 to 3.03; P = 0.002), full compliance (OR 2.36, 1.42 to 3.90; P < 0.001) and high surgeon volume (more than 100 cases per year) (OR 1.50, 1.19 to 1.89; P < 0.001) were associated with discharge within 48 h. Compliance with the elements of oral intake and fluid management in the first 48 h was associated with a reduced rate of complications (8.1 versus 19.6 per cent; P = 0.001). Median oral opiate intake was 37.5 (i.q.r. 0-105) mg in 48 h, with 26.2 per cent of patients receiving no opiates. Compliance with an enhanced recovery pathway was associated with less opiate use, fewer complications and a shorter hospital stay.

Activation of MrgC receptor inhibits N-type calcium channels in small-diameter primary sensory neurons in mice

Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor subtype C (mouse MrgC11 and rat rMrgC), expressed specifically in small-diameter primary sensory neurons, may constitute a novel pain inhibitory mechanism. We have shown previously that intrathecal administration of MrgC-selective agonists can strongly attenuate persistent pain in various animal models. However, the underlying mechanisms for MrgC agonist-induced analgesia remain elusive. Here, we conducted patch-clamp recordings to test the effect of MrgC agonists on high-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium current in small-diameter dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Using pharmacological approaches, we show for the first time that an MrgC agonist (JHU58) selectively and dose-dependently inhibits N-type, but not L- or P/Q-type, HVA calcium channels in mouse DRG neurons. Activation of HVA calcium channels is important to neurotransmitter release and synaptic transmission. Patch-clamp recordings in spinal cord slices showed that JHU58 attenuated the evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons in wild-type mice, but not in Mrg knockout mice, after peripheral nerve injury. These findings indicate that activation of endogenously expressed MrgC receptors at central terminals of primary sensory fibers may decrease peripheral excitatory inputs onto SG neurons. Together, these results suggest potential cellular and molecular mechanisms that may contribute to intrathecal MrgC agonist-induced analgesia. Because MrgC shares substantial genetic homogeneity with human MrgX1, our findings may suggest a rationale for developing intrathecally delivered MrgX1 receptor agonists to treat pathological pain in humans and provide critical insight regarding potential mechanisms that may underlie its analgesic effects.

A palliative care intervention for pain refractory to a percutaneous cordotomy

Intrathecal analgesia and radiofrequency techniques for tumor ablation are employed for palliation of symptoms. These interventions are efficacious in a select number of patients for controlling pain and improving quality of life. Careful selection of an appropriate candidate must be performed to prevent needless, invasive, and costly interventions, as interventional pain management alone will not treat total pain in cancer patients. We describe here a patient who experienced intractable pain and unsuccessfully underwent cordotomy but responded to the interdisciplinary (IDT) palliative care approach in an acute palliative care unit (APCU). A middle-aged female with ovarian cancer metastatic to the left psoas muscle and the supraclavicular and retroperitoneal lymph nodes was admitted with severe left thigh and flank pain. She had been unsuccessfully treated with different opioid regimens, hypogastric nerve block, epidural steroid injection, and cordotomy. The palliative care team was consulted while awaiting placement of an intrathecal pump. The patient was subsequently transferred to the APCU for symptom management and transition to hospice. On admission, her morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) was 660 mg. Our IDT--composed of a physician, fellow, nurse practitioner, counselor, chaplain, social worker, and physical and occupational therapists--was able to identify several sources of distress that likely contributed to her expression of pain. Our IDT focused on frequent counseling, improving her function, provided medication education, discussed goals of care, and educated about hospice. She was discharged to hospice care with good pain control and an 85% reduction in her MEDD. An APCU approach involving an IDT alleviated the need for invasive interventions by diagnosing and treating the psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual distress contributing to the patient's total pain expression. Successful management must be reflective of rigorous assessment of the physical, psychological, spiritual, social, and practical aspects before consideration of more invasive treatments.

The Dying Art of Percutaneous Cordotomy in Canada

Journal of Palliative MedicineVol. 17, No. 5 Case Discussions In Palliative MedicineFeature Editor: Craig D. BlindermanThe Dying Art of Percutaneous Cordotomy in CanadaChristopher R. Honey, Wendy Yeomans, Albert Isaacs, and C. Michael HoneyChristopher R. HoneyDivision of Neurosurgery, Vancouver, Canada.Search for more papers by this author, Wendy YeomansDivision of Palliative Medicine, Vancouver, Canada.Search for more papers by this author, Albert IsaacsFaculty of Medicine, Vancouver, Canada.Search for more papers by this author, and C. Michael HoneyUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:8 May 2014https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2013.0664AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail View articleFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited ByRole of interventional radiology in pain management in oncology patientsClinical Radiology, Vol. 5Percutaneous cervical cordotomy for cancer-related pain: prospective multimodal outcomes evaluation4 December 2020 | BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, Vol. 12, No. e1Temporal Summation Predicts De Novo Contralateral Pain After Cordotomy in Patients With Refractory Cancer PainNeurosurgery, Vol. 90, No. 1Cervical Cordotomy in Terminal Cancer: Pain Relieving in Oncological Treatment26 November 2020 | Arquivos Brasileiros de Neurocirurgia: Brazilian Neurosurgery, Vol. 40, No. 01Percutaneous cervical cordotomy for the treatment of cancer pain: A prospective case series of 52 patients with a long‐term follow‐up22 December 2020 | Pain PracticePercutaneous cervical cordotomy for cancer-related pain: national data27 March 2020 | BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, Vol. 10, No. 4Neurosurgical ablative procedures for intractable cancer painJournal of Neurosurgery, Vol. 133, No. 1O-Arm-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Cordotomy10 January 2018 | Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Vol. 95, No. 6Stereotactic mesencephalotomy for palliative care pain control: A case report, literature review and plea to rediscover this operation13 January 2016 | British Journal of Neurosurgery, Vol. 30, No. 4Fentanyl/hydromorphone20 June 2015 | Reactions Weekly, Vol. 1556, No. 1Bilateral cordotomy post-failure of intrathecal analgesia in a palliative care setting8 May 2015 | Internal Medicine Journal, Vol. 45, No. 5 Volume 17Issue 5May 2014 InformationCopyright 2014, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.To cite this article:Christopher R. Honey, Wendy Yeomans, Albert Isaacs, and C. Michael Honey.The Dying Art of Percutaneous Cordotomy in Canada.Journal of Palliative Medicine.May 2014.624-628.http://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2013.0664Published in Volume: 17 Issue 5: May 8, 2014Online Ahead of Print:April 9, 2014PDF download

Update on best available options in obstetrics anaesthesia: perinatal outcomes, side effects and maternal satisfaction. Fifteen years systematic literature review

In modern obstetrics, different pharmacological and non-pharmacological options allow to obtain pain relief during labour, one of the most important goals in women satisfaction about medical care. The aim of this review is to compare all the analgesia administration schemes in terms of effectiveness in pain relief, length of labour, mode of delivery, side effects and neonatal outcomes. A systematic literature search was conducted in electronic databases in the interval time between January 1999 and March 2013. Key search terms included: “labour analgesia”, “epidural anaesthesia during labour” (excluding anaesthesia for Caesarean section), “epidural analgesia and labour outcome” and “intra-thecal analgesia”. 10,331 patients were analysed: 5,578 patients underwent Epidural-Analgesia, 259 patients spinal analgesia, 2,724 combined spinal epidural analgesia, 322 continuous epidural infusion (CEI), 168 intermittent epidural bolus, 684 patient-controlled infusion epidural analgesia and 152 intra-venous patient-controlled epidural analgesia. We also considered 341 women who underwent patient-controlled infusion epidural analgesia in association with CEI and 103 patients who underwent patient-controlled infusion epidural analgesia in association with automatic mandatory bolus. No significant differences occurred among all the available administration schemes of neuraxial analgesia. In absence of obstetrical contraindication, neuraxial analgesia has to be considered as the gold standard in obtaining maternal pain relief during labour. The options available in the administration of analgesia should be known and evaluated together by both gynaecologists and anaesthesiologists to choose the best personalized scheme and obtain the best women satisfaction. Since it is difficult to identify comparable circumstances during labour, it is complicate to standardize drugs schemes and their combinations.