Need For Postoperative Rescue Analgesia Research Articles

Post-surgical photobiomodulation therapy improves outcomes following elective gastropexy in dogs.

To evaluate the effect of post-surgical photobiomodulation therapy in dogs. Twenty dogs were selected for elective gastropexy and randomly divided into a control (CG, n = 10) and a PBMT group (PBMTG, n = 10). Pre‑medication consisted of medetomidine and butorphanol. Meloxicam was administered before the procedure. Induction was performed with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane. Local blocks with lidocaine were used. Incisional gastropexy was performed in all animals. PBMTG received PBMT immediately after surgery. The need for postoperative rescue analgesia, if the animal had eaten by the evaluation momen, and pain scores were collected using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale - Short Form (CMPS‑SF) at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24h post‑endotracheal extubation. CMPS‑SF scores were compared with the Mann-Whitney Test and proportions of animals that required rescue analgesia and had eaten with a χ2 test. P was set at < 0.05. No rescue analgesia was needed for any animal. Still, significant differences were observed in CMPS-SF scores between CG and PBMTG between 1 and 4h post-extubation. PBMTG had a significantly higher proportion of animals eating up to the 8h post-extubation evaluation moment. Adding post-surgical photobiomodulation to a standard anesthesia and analgesia protocol reduced CMPS-SF scores and increased the proportion of animals that resumed eating compared to the standard protocol alone.

Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Study objectiveKidney neoplasms have a high incidence, and radical nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy are the main treatment options. Our study aims to investigate the use of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy surgery. DesignProspective, randomized, double-blind. SettingUniversity hospital. PatientsOur study included 50 patients (ASA I-III) who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy at the hospital of Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University. InterventionsThe patients were divided into two groups: the ESPB group and the control group. In the ESPB group, a mixture of 10 mL of 1% lidocaine, 10 mL of 0.7% ropivacaine, 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine, and 5 mg of dexamethasone was administered. In the control group, 20 mL of 0.9% saline was administered. MeasurementsThe primary outcome measure was the total consumption of sufentanil during the intraoperative period. Secondary outcome measures included visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at rest and during coughing at 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h postoperatively, intraoperative consumption of remifentanil, frequency of rescue analgesic administration, consumption of rescue analgesia and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 48 h. ResultsThe ESPB group exhibited lower intraoperative consumption of sufentanil, lower consumption of rescue analgesia, as well as VAS scores at rest and during coughing within the first 24 h postoperatively, compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in VAS scores at 48 h postoperatively, postoperative nausea and vomiting, or the need for postoperative rescue analgesia. ConclusionsUltrasound-guided ESPB performed in patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy demonstrated a substantial decrease in intraoperative opioid consumption, as well as lower VAS scores at rest and during coughing in the postoperative period.

In cats undergoing midline ovariohysterectomy, is the use of local anaesthesia with bupivacaine associated with a reduction in postoperative pain score?

PICO question In cats undergoing midline ovariohysterectomy, is the use of local anaesthesia with bupivacaine via intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injections, in comparison with the use of a control substance or other analgesic measure, associated with a reduction in postoperative pain score? Clinical bottom line The category of research question: Treatment. The number and type of study designs that were critically appraised: Three studies were critically appraised in this Knowledge Summary. They included two prospective, blinded, randomised, controlled clinical trials and one prospective randomised, blinded clinical trial. Strength of evidence: Weak. The outcomes reported: Bupivacaine does not eliminate postoperative pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomies; minimal evidence was found to suggest that it was better at reducing postoperative pain scores in comparison to other analgesics. However, bupivacaine may provide analgesic benefits to cats when administered via intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injections as local anaesthesia and in combination with other analgesic agents. The need for postoperative rescue analgesia was minimised when bupivacaine was administered prior to or during the ovariohysterectomy. Conclusion: When compared to a control, pain scores for the participating cats were lower after administration of bupivacaine, however, statistical significance was only reached in one of the studies. Additionally, other medications were found to lower the post operative pain score to a greater effect. However, bupivacaine administration is cheap and simple to perform, so it’s use as part of a multimodal analgesic protocol is supported. Confounding factors within the studies may have altered the perceived effectiveness of the analgesic properties of bupivacaine though, so further investigation involving larger cohorts with standardised controls would be prudent. How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.

Spinal Anesthesia Versus Popliteal and Adductor Canal Blocks for Ambulation After Pott's Fracture Surgery

Abstract Background Poorly controlled acute pain after surgery is associated with a variety of unwanted postoperative consequences, including patient suffering, distress, myocardial ischemia, prolonged hospital stay and increase of chronic pain. Neuroaxial block is used for postoperative pain management and decrease analgesic use. Objective To compare the effect of spinal anesthesia versus popliteal and adductor canal blocks for ambulation after pott's fracture surgery. Patients and Methods Type of Study: Randomized Clinical Trial. Study Setting: Ain Shams university hospitals. Study Period: 3 months from March to May 2019. Results On the other hand, the side effects of peripheral nerve block surgery limit the usefulness of the procedure. The common side effects are: incomplete block, direct nerve damage, localized hematoma and consequent ischemic damage, infection, and the risk of intravenous administration of local anesthetic. In our study we compared spinal anaesthia with nerve blocks for pott’s fracture and found that the time to perform spinal block was shorter than that needed to perform nerve blocks. Conclusion The adductor-popliteal canal provides longer duration of analgesic, better intraoperative hemodynamics, and decreased need for postoperative rescue analgesia in comparison with spinal anaesethia in patients with pot’s fracture ankle surgery.

Analgesic efficacy and safety of erector spinae plane block in breast cancer surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundSurgical resection is considered to be the primary and most effective therapy for breast cancer, postoperative pain is an issue gaining significant attention. In recent years, erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has attracted much attention in postoperative analgesia, but its effectiveness is still controversial. This meta-analysis was implemented to verify the clinical analgesic efficacy and safety of erector spinae plane block in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery.MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ESPB with general anesthesia (GA) in breast cancer surgery that were published before December 25, 2020. The primary outcome was opioid consumption at the first 24 h after surgery, while secondary outcomes included pain scores at 1, 6,12 and 24 h after surgery, opioid consumption at 1, 6 and 12 h after surgery, intraoperative opioid consumption, number of patients who need for rescue analgesia, and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).ResultsEleven randomized controlled trials involving 679 patients met the study inclusion criteria and were included in this study. In comparison to GA group, the ESPB group showed a significant reduction in morphine consumption at the first 24 h after surgery by a mean difference (MD) of − 7.67 mg [95% confidence interval (CI) − 10.35 to − 5.00] (P < 0.01). In addition, the ESPB group showed lower pain scores than the GA group in the four time periods (1, 6, 12 and 24 h after surgery). ESPB group significantly reduce the intraoperative consumption of fentanyl, the need for postoperative rescue analgesia, and the incidence of PONV.ConclusionsUltrasound-guided ESPB is an effective approach for reducing morphine consumption and pain intensity within the first 24 h after breast cancer surgery, compared with GA alone.

Peri-Operative Pain Management for Cleft Lip Repair in Children, Bilateral Infraorbital Nerve Block Versus Combined Intravenous Fentanyl with Peri-Incisional Infiltration. A Randomized Comparative Study

Background: The good control of postoperative pain has an important impact on the patient as regards his general condition, wound healing and hospital stay. Regional nerve blocks and systemic analgesics especially opioids offered this control but with superiority of the regional block due to avoidance of the side effects of opioids. The assessment of pain in pediatrics is difficult, as they usually do not have the ability to describe their pain. Pediatric patients undergoing cleft lip repair can benefit from nerve blocks related to the lip. Different types of analgesia were described, such as bilateral infraorbital nerve block (IONB), pharmacological analgesics and surgical site infiltration. Objective: To compare the effect of bilateral infraorbital nerve block with conventional methods (IV fentanyl and peri-incisional infiltration) as a proper perioperative pain management in children undergoing cleft lip (CL) repair operation. Patients and Method: Seventy-six children, scheduled for cleft lip repair, were enrolled in this study in Cairo University Pediatric Hospital (Abu El Reesh). The patients were randomly assigned into two groups: Group infraorbital nerve block IONB (n=38): received bilateral infraorbital nerve block. Group conventional (n= 38): received IV fentanyl with surgical site infiltration. Patients in both groups received general anesthesia and our interventions were performed after induction of anesthesia and before skin incision. Results: This study demonstrated that the use of bilateral IONB in children undergoing cleft lip repair was accompanied by superior levels of intraoperative and postoperative analgesia as compared to the use of IV fentanyl with surgical site infiltration in the same population. This difference was evidenced by significantly less need for postoperative rescue analgesia as well as lower pain scores up to 24 hours postoperative in the IONB group. Conclusion: This study results indicate that bilateral ION block is simple, safe and technically easy to perform with good postoperative analgesia.

Atrial septal defect closure via mini-thoracotomy in pediatric patients: Postoperative analgesic effect of intercostal nerve block.

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of intercostal nerve block for postoperative pain management in pediatric patients undergoing atrial septal defect closure through a right lateral mini-thoracotomy. Between January 2016 and January 2019, a total of 63 pediatric patients (37 males, 26 females; mean age 34.8±26.8 months; range, 2 to 96 months) who underwent corrective congenital heart surgery for atrial septal defect closure through a right lateral mini-thoracotomy were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups as those (Group 1, n=33) receiving intercostal nerve block and general anesthesia and those (Group 2, n=30) receiving general anesthesia alone. Intravenous morphine at a dose of 0.03 mg/kg was applied as rescue analgesia to the patients with a Ramsay Sedation Scale score of >4 and Children"s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale score of >7. The total analgesic requirement, adverse effects, duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay in the intensive care unit were recorded. The mean duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay was shorter in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (3.6±1.3 vs. 9.4±2.1 h; 23±2.6 vs. 30±7.2 h, respectively) (p<0.0001). The need for postoperative rescue analgesia was statistically significantly lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (0.3±0.5 mg vs. 1.1±0.9 mg, respectively) (p=0.003). The mean total morphine consumption was also lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (4.0±2.2 mg vs. 9.0±3.4 mg, respectively) (p<0.0001). Intercostal nerve block before thoracotomy closure in pediatric patients undergoing atrial septal defect repair under mini-thoracotomy provides early extubation, shorter mechanical ventilation duration and intensive care unit stay, and reduced analgesic requirements.

Pectoral nerve block in anesthesia for modified radical mastectomy: A meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials.

Many types of regional nerve blocks have been used during anesthesia for modified radical mastectomy. In recent years, the use of pectoral nerve (PECS) block has gained importance in postoperative analgesia, but there are still controversies regarding its efficacy. There is especially no consensus on the optimal type of PECS block to be used. Herein, we attempt to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of the PECS block after radical mastectomy. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for studies regarding PECS versus general anesthesia (GA) that were published prior to May 31, 2018. Outcome measures such as intra- and postoperative consumption of opioids, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), need for postoperative rescue analgesia, and pain scores were analyzed. After quality evaluation and data extraction, a meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used for rating the quality of evidence. A total of 8 RCTs and 2 cohort studies involving 993 patients were eligible. Compared with the GA group, the PECS block group effectively reduced the intraoperative and postoperative use of opioid drugs, incidence of PONV, need for postoperative rescue analgesia, and pain scores within 0 to 6 hours after surgery. However, subgroup analysis showed that PECS I block did not have a significant advantage in reducing the intra- and postoperative consumption of opioids. Results for each outcome indicator were confirmed as having a high or moderate level of evidence. Even considering the limitations (evaluations of efficacy in different age groups and for chronic pain were not carried out) of this meta-analysis, it can be concluded that the PECS II block is an effective anesthetic regimen in modified radical mastectomy that can effectively reduce the intra- and postoperative consumption of opioids, postoperative PONV, and the need for postoperative rescue analgesia and can alleviate early pain (0-6 hours) after surgery.

Comparative study between combined spinal-epidural anesthesia versus femoral/sciatic nerve block under ultrasound and nerve stimulator guidance for both-bone leg fractures

Background General anesthesia has a lot of complications, so alternative procedures like combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) are better but with their adverse effects on cardiovascular and pulmonary functions. New era tend toward ultrasound (US) guidance and nerve stimulator for nerve block to ensure better effects without any complications. Aim The aim of this study was to compare CSEA versus femoral/sciatic nerve block (FSNB) by US guidance and nerve stimulator as anesthetic technique for patients with both-bone leg (BBL) fractures. Patients and methods Ninety adult patients, ASA I–II, scheduled for fracture BBL were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two equal groups. Group I CSEA received intrathecal 5 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5+15% μg fentanyl, and then 7 ml of epidural (0.375% of plain bupivacaine+fentanyl 2 μg/ml) was injected as a loading dose. Finally, an additional epidural of 4 ml of 2% lidocaine was given if the desired sensory level was not reached till after 20 min or the operation lasted more than 80 min. Group II underwent FSNB by using US guidance and nerve stimulator. We first blocked the sciatic nerve by injection of 15 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine and 10 ml of 1% lidocaine. Then femoral nerve block was done by injection of 20 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% and 10 ml of 1% lidocaine. Results There was no significant difference between both groups in demographic data and failure rate. The onset of sensory and motor block was shorter in CSEA group, but the duration of sensory and motor block was prolonged in FSNB group. First dose of analgesia required was earlier in CSEA group. Heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure showed significant decrease in CSEA group at 5, 15, and 30 min intraoperatively. Visual analogue pain scale was higher and need for rescue analgesia was earlier in CSEA group. Conclusion FSNB by US guidance nerve stimulation technique provides better block characteristics, longer duration of analgesic, better intraoperative hemodynamics, and decreased the need for postoperative rescue analgesia in comparison with CSEA in patients with BBL fractures.

Abstract PR265

Background & Objectives: Congenital cleft palate repair (palatoplasty) is not an uncommon procedure in children. Such procedure holds the risk of postoperative airway obstruction 1, which may be increased together with respiratory depression, with the use of opioids for pain control. Both greater palatine and suprazygomatic maxillary nerve blocks are considered effective regional anesthesia techniques for perioperative analgesia in such cases. They spare those children these complications and help early resumption of feeding 2 after the repair. The aim of this work was to compare the analgesic effect and complications of both bilateral greater palatine and suprazygomatic maxillary nerve blocks as modes of perioperative regional analgesia in children undergoing palatoplasty. Materials & Methods: Forty children, ASA I to III, aged 6 months to 5 years were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, comparative study. Subjects were divided into 2 equal groups, 20 patients received bilateral greater palatine nerve block (GPN group) and 20 patients received bilateral suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block (SMN group). All regional blocks were received after induction of general anesthesia and 20 minutes before surgical incision. Intraoperative hemodynamics, number of analgesia doses and complications were recorded. Postoperative analgesia (objective pain score), complications and parents’ satisfaction were also documented. Results: Number of patients who needed intraoperative analgesia were significantly higher in SMN group than GPN group (p value 0.048) (Table). Also, the need for postoperative rescue analgesia was significantly lower in GPN than that in SMN group (p value 0.024). Objective pain score was higher in SMN than GPN group in almost all recorded times. No significant difference between both groups were found concerning complications or parents’ satisfaction.Table:: Frequency and percentage of patients who needed extra intraoperative analgesia in the two groups. (P value = 0.048)Conclusion: Study demonstrated that the use of GPN block in children undergoing palatoplasty was accompanied by superior levels of intra and postoperative analgesia as compared to the use of SMN block in the same population.

A randomized double-blind study to evaluate efficacy and safety of epidural magnesium sulfate and clonidine as adjuvants to bupivacaine for postthoracotomy pain relief.

Background:The aim of the study was to compare postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing an elective thoracotomy with thoracic epidural analgesia using single shot magnesium and clonidine as adjuvants to bupivacaine.Methods:In a randomized prospective study, 60 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I–III of either sex, between 20 and 60 years undergoing elective unilateral thoracotomy, were allocated to three equal groups of 20 patients. Each patient received thoracic epidural analgesia using bupivacaine alone (Group A) or with magnesium (Group B) or clonidine (Group C) at the end of surgery during skin closure. Postoperatively, pain was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). Rescue analgesia (50 mg tramadol intravenous) was given at a VAS score of ≥4. Duration of analgesia and total dose of rescue analgesic during 24 h was calculated. Postoperative sedation and other side effects if any were recorded.Results:All the groups were homogeneous with respect to their demographics. The 24 h cumulative mean VAS score in Groups A, B, and C was 3.12 ± 0.97, 2.86 ± 0.43, and 1.83 ± 0.59, respectively. The duration of analgesia was prolonged in Group C (165 ± 49.15 min), followed by Group B (138 ± 24.6 min), and Group A (118.5 ± 52.8 min). The duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged in the clonidine group as compared to the control group (P = 0.001). The number of rescue analgesia doses were more in Group A (3.3 ± 1.65) followed by Group B (2.35 ± 0.98) and Group C (1.75 ± 0.71). The sedation scores were significantly higher in Group C. However, shivering was seen in Group A (40%) and Group C (20%) and absent in Group B (P = 0.003).Conclusion:Thoracic epidural analgesia using bupivacaine with clonidine is an efficient therapeutic modality for postthoracotomy pain. Magnesium as an adjuvant provided quality postoperative analgesia decreasing the need for postoperative rescue analgesia and incidence of postoperative shivering without causing sedation.

Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Surgery (LESS) for Treatment of Benign Adnexal Disease: Single-Center Experience Over 3-Years

Study ObjectiveTo describe the effects of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery performed over 3 consecutive years to treat adnexal disease and to report patient perioperative outcomes. DesignRetrospective clinical study (Canadian Task Force classification III). SettingTertiary care academic medical center. PatientsWomen undergoing LESS because of a benign gynecologic indication, from January 2009 through December 2011. InterventionsWomen with benign adnexal disease ≤10 cm underwent LESS surgery through a single 1.5- to 2.0-cm umbilical incision. Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were carefully recorded, including the need for postoperative rescue analgesia. Measurements and Main ResultsOne hundred twenty-five patients were enrolled. Median patient age was 49 years, and median body mass index was 23. Surgical procedures included unilateral or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and unilateral or bilateral cyst enucleation. Median operative time was 48 minutes. Pain control was optimal, with an average visual analog score of 4/10. Both patients and surgeons were highly satisfied with the cosmetic result, and the cosmetic visual analog score was 9/10 at discharge and at 30 days after surgery. The number of women who underwent unilateral or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy increased progressively and significantly yearly over the study period (16 vs 23 vs 40; p = .001). Median operative time for unilateral or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy increased significantly from 2009 to 2010 and 2011 (34 vs 45 and 44 minutes; p = .001), together with median BMI (23 vs 23 vs 25; p = .04). ConclusionLESS is a desirable surgical approach in patients with simple adnexal disease.

Cochrane Review: Diclofenac for acute pain in children

AbstractBackgroundDiclofenac is commonly used for acute pain in children, but is not licensed for this indication in all age groups.Objectives1) Assess the efficacy of diclofenac for acute pain in children. 2) Assess the safety of diclofenac for short‐term use in children.3) Identify gaps in the evidence to direct future research.Search strategySeventeen databases indexing clinical trial reports were searched in February 2005 (with an update search as part of this first review in May 2008). A hand search of Paediatric Anaesthesia was undertaken and summaries obtained of adverse reaction reports from the UK Yellow Card Scheme and World Health Organization (WHO) Monitoring Centre. The reference lists of included studies were also searched.Selection criteriaAny published report, in any language, involving the administration of diclofenac to a patient aged 18 years or younger for acute pain and detailing either monitoring of efficacy or safety.Data collection and analysisTwo review authors independently assessed study quality and extracted the data. Authors were contacted where necessary. Review Manager version 5 was used for analysis.Main results1) Efficacy: randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing diclofenac with placebo/any other treatment by using pain scores (assessed or reported), or need for rescue analgesia.2) Safety: any type of study seeking adverse events (regardless of cause). An adverse event was defined as any reported adverse or untoward happening to a patient being treated with diclofenac for acute pain.Seven publications on diclofenac efficacy and 79 on safety (74 studies plus five case reports) were included in the final analysis. Compared with placebo/no treatment, diclofenac significantly reduced need for post‐operative rescue analgesia (relative risk [RR] 0.6; number needed to treat to benefit [NNT] 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5 to 6.3).Compared with any other non‐NSAID, patients receiving diclofenac suffered less nausea or vomiting, or both (RR 0.6; NNT 7.7 [5.3 to 14.3]). There appeared to be no increase in bleeding requiring surgical intervention in patients receiving diclofenac in the peri‐operative period. Serious diclofenac adverse reactions occurred in fewer than 0.24% of children treated for acute pain. The types of serious adverse reactions were similar to those reported in adults.Authors' conclusionsDiclofenac is an effective analgesic for perioperative acute pain in children. It causes similar types of serious adverse reactions in children as in adults, but these are rare. More research on optimum dosing and safety in asthmatic children is required.PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARYDiclofenac for pain relief in childrenDiclofenac is commonly used for short‐term pain relief in children, particularly around the time of surgery. There is good evidence that diclofenac is effective for pain relief in adults, and side effects such as stomach upset are well known. However, developmental differences mean that children may sometimes react differently to medicines than adults do. It is important to assess whether diclofenac is also effective in children, and to understand the type and frequency of adverse reactions that diclofenac causes in children. This review has found that, as with adults, diclofenac is effective for the relief of pain after an operation. If it is given at the time of an operation, it will halve the number of children needing extra pain relief. Diclofenac seems to be twice as effective as paracetamol (acetaminophen) for surgical pain, and this is also true for adults. Diclofenac appears to cause similar types of serious adverse reactions (such as bleeding of the stomach and allergic‐type reactions), but these are rare and occur in fewer than 3 in 1000 children who take the drug. We had hoped to investigate whether diclofenac made children with asthma more wheezy, but there was not enough information for us to do this. The main conclusions of this review are that diclofenac is effective for relief of acute pain arising from operations in children, with a low risk of serious adverse reactions. Intramuscular injections of diclofenac should be avoided, due to risk of injection site problems. The main questions still to be answered are: What is the best dose to give and should diclofenac be avoided in children with asthma?

Ketoprofen Pharmacokinetics, Efficacy, and Tolerability in Pediatric Patients

The NSAID ketoprofen is used widely in the management of inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions, pain, and fever in children and adults. Pharmacokinetic studies show that drug exposure after a single intravenous dose is similar in children and adults (after dose normalization), and thus similar mg/kg bodyweight dosing may be used in children and adults. Ketoprofen crosses the blood-brain barrier and therefore has the potential to cause central analgesic effects. Ketoprofen has been investigated in children for the treatment of pain and fever, peri- and postoperative pain, and inflammatory pain conditions. The results of four clinical trials in febrile conditions with the oral syrup formulation indicate that ketoprofen is as effective as acetaminophen (paracetamol) and ibuprofen, allowing children to rapidly return to daily activities with improvements in sleep quality and appetite. Studies of ketoprofen in the management of postoperative pain indicate that ketoprofen is a highly effective analgesic when administered perioperatively for a variety of surgical types, by a variety of routes, and whether given preoperatively or postoperatively. For adenoidectomy, intravenous ketoprofen provided superior postoperative analgesic efficacy compared with placebo. Analgesic efficacy was similar with intravenous, intramuscular, or rectal routes of administration, but oral administration just before surgery was inferior to intravenous administration in this setting. In patients undergoing a tonsillectomy, intravenous ketoprofen was superior to intravenous tramadol in terms of the need for postoperative rescue analgesia, but did not remove the need for rescue opioid therapy in these patients. Intravenous ketoprofen had superior postoperative analgesic efficacy to placebo when given as an adjuvant to epidural sufentanil analgesia after major surgery. Oral ketoprofen has shown efficacy in the treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Ketoprofen is generally well tolerated in pediatric patients. Most of the adverse events reported are mild and transient, and are similar to those observed with other NSAIDs. Long-term tolerability has not yet been fully established in children, but data from three studies in >900 children indicate that oral ketoprofen is well tolerated when administered for up to 3 weeks after surgery. In conclusion, ketoprofen is effective and well tolerated in children for the control of post-surgical pain and for the control of pain and fever in inflammatory conditions.

Levobupivacaine 0.5% Provides Longer Analgesia After Sciatic Nerve Block Using the Labat Approach Than the Same Dose of Ropivacaine in Foot and Ankle Surgery

Levobupivacaine and ropivacaine are 2 left enantiomeric molecules frequently used for peripheral nerve blocks because of their safe clinical profile. Levobupivacaine is more lipophilic and theoretically more potent than ropivacaine, but clinical studies show conflicting results in terms of anesthetic and analgesic characteristics. We hypothesized that the pure S-enantiomer of bupivacaine provides longer-lasting analgesia than ropivacaine. We compared the analgesic characteristics of 20 mL levobupivacaine versus 20 mL ropivacaine 0.5% in a posterior sciatic nerve block (Labat approach) for foot and ankle surgery. In a double-blind, randomized, prospective design, 80 patients received either substance. We assessed the onset, duration, and success of the block, and the need for rescue analgesia and technical or neurologic complications over 24 hours. The onset of sensory block (minutes) and the success rate were similar in levobupivacaine and ropivacaine groups (onset, 15 minutes [5-40 minutes] vs 15 minutes [5-60 minutes], respectively; success rate, 90% vs 92.5%). The average time for the first request of pain medication provided by 20 mL levobupivacaine 0.5% was significantly longer than with ropivacaine (1605 minutes [575-2400 minutes] vs 1035 minutes [590-1500 minutes], P < 0.001). The need for postoperative rescue analgesia was higher in the ropivacaine group (37 of 40 [92.5%] vs 30 of 40 [75%], P < 0.034). No complications were noted in either group at 24 hours. Twenty milliliters levobupivacaine 0.5% in posterior gluteal (Labat) sciatic nerve block provided longer-lasting analgesia after foot and ankle surgery compared with the same dose of ropivacaine.

An Evaluation of Perioperative Pregabalin for Prevention and Attenuation of Postoperative Shoulder Pain After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Postlaparoscopic shoulder pain (PLSP) frequently follows laparoscopic surgery. In this placebo-controlled study, we evaluated the efficacy of two perioperative doses of pregabalin 300 mg 12 h apart for preventing and attenuating PLSP after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The frequency and severity of PLSP, need for postoperative rescue analgesia, and side effect profiles were assessed for 48 h postoperatively. In both groups, the overall incidence of PLSP did not differ significantly, and the pain score for PLSP, time to first rescue analgesia, and cumulative ketorolac consumption were similar at each timepoint. However, the 2-h postoperative incidence of oversedation was higher with pregabalin.

Naproxen reduces the need for postoperative rescue analgesia in children, whereas paracetamol does not,

Naproxen reduces the need for postoperative rescue analgesia in children, whereas paracetamol does not,