Postoperative Subcutaneous Instillation of Low-Dose Ketorolac But Not Hydromorphone Reduces Wound Exudate Concentrations of Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-10 and Improves Analgesia Following Cesarean Delivery

Does Scheduled Low-Dose Short-Term NSAID (Ketorolac) Modulate Cytokine Levels After Orthopaedic Polytrauma? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether scheduled low-dose, short-term ketorolac modulates cytokine concentrations in orthopaedic polytrauma patients.

METHODS

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Single Level I trauma center from August 2018 to October 2022.

PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA

Orthopaedic polytrauma patients between 18 and 75 years with a New Injury Severity Score greater than 9 were enrolled. Participants were randomized to receive 15 mg of intravenous ketorolac every 6 hours for up to 5 inpatient days or 2 mL of intravenous saline similarly.

OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS

Daily concentrations of prostaglandin E2 and interleukin (IL)-1a, IL-1b, IL-6, and IL-10. Clinical outcomes included hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, pulmonary complications, and acute kidney injury.

RESULTS

Seventy orthopaedic polytrauma patients were enrolled, with 35 participants randomized to the ketorolac group and 35 to the placebo group. The overall IL-10 trend over time was significantly different in the ketorolac group ( P = 0.043). IL-6 was 65.8% higher at enrollment compared to day 3 ( P < 0.001) when aggregated over both groups. There was no significant treatment effect for prostaglandin E2, IL-1a, or IL-1b ( P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between groups ( P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Scheduled low-dose, short-term, intravenous ketorolac was associated with significantly different mean trends in IL-10 concentration in orthopaedic polytrauma patients with no significant differences in prostaglandin E2, IL-1a, IL-1b, or IL-6 levels between groups. The treatment did not have an impact on clinical outcomes of hospital or intensive care unit length of stay, pulmonary complications, or acute kidney injury.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Cesarean Delivery Analgesia: A Narrative Review

Effective postoperative analgesia using multimodal approach improves maternal and neonatal outcomes after cesarean delivery. The use of neuraxial approach (local anesthetic and opioids) and intravenous adjunctive drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen, currently represents the standard regimen for post-cesarean delivery analgesia. Peripheral nerve blocks may be considered in patients who are unable to receive neuraxial techniques; these blocks may also be used as a rescue technique in selected patients. This review discusses the relevant anatomy, current evidence, and advantages and disadvantages of the various peripheral nerve block techniques. Further research is warranted to compare the analgesic efficacy of these techniques, especially newer blocks (e.g., quadratus lumborum blocks and erector spinae plane blocks). Moreover, future studies should determine the safety profile of these blocks (e.g., fascial plane blocks) in the obstetric population because of its increased susceptibility to local anesthetic toxicity.

Efficacy of electroacupuncture combined with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after cesarean delivery: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Electroacupuncture is a nonpharmacologic intervention for analgesia that is widely recognized as therapy for pain. However, the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture combined with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for postoperative analgesia after cesarean delivery remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture + patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for postoperative analgesia after cesarean delivery, determine the optimal frequency for the best analgesic effect, and explore the underlying mechanism of action.

STUDY DESIGN

This single-center, randomized, single-blinded, sham acupuncture controlled clinical trial was conducted at a tertiary university hospital in China. Female patients who underwent cesarean delivery and received fentanyl as patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for postoperative analgesia were enrolled. Patients were after surgery randomized to receive 2 Hz electroacupuncture treatment (n=53), 20/100 Hz electroacupuncture treatment (n=53), or sham electroacupuncture treatment (n=52) (controls). The 2 electroacupuncture groups received electroacupuncture treatment at 2 or 20/100 Hz at the ST36 and SP6 points, whereas, in the sham electroacupuncture group, sham electroacupuncture was performed at nonmeridian points with nonenergized electroacupuncture instruments. Of note, 4 electroacupuncture treatments were performed in all groups at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery. The primary outcome was the number of analgesic pump compressions at 48 hours after surgery. The secondary outcomes included number of analgesic pump compressions at 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery; pain scores at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery; fentanyl consumption at 48 hours after surgery; interleukin 6 and procalcitonin levels at 12 and 48 hours after surgery; and time to first exhaust.

RESULTS

Overall, 174 primigravida women were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The number of analgesic pump compressions and pain scores at all 4 time points and fentanyl consumption at 48 hours after surgery were significantly lower in the electroacupuncture treatment groups than in the sham electroacupuncture group (P<.001).

CONCLUSION

Electroacupuncture + patient-controlled intravenous analgesia had a significantly better analgesic effect than sham electroacupuncture + patient-controlled intravenous analgesia within 48 hours after surgery. Thus, electroacupuncture can be considered safe and effective and may improve the efficacy of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for pain management after cesarean delivery. Electroacupuncture can be recommended as a routine complementary therapy for pain control after cesarean delivery.

Wound fluid sampling methods for proteomic studies: A scoping review

Understanding why some wounds are hard to heal is important for improving care and developing more effective treatments. The method of sample collection used is an integral step in the research process and thus may affect the results obtained. The primary objective of this study was to summarise and map the methods currently used to sample wound fluid for protein profiling and analysis. Eligible studies were those that used a sampling method to collect wound fluid from any human wound for analysis of proteins. A search for eligible studies was performed using MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL Plus in May 2020. All references were screened for eligibility by one reviewer, followed by discussion and consensus with a second reviewer. Quantitative data were mapped and visualised using appropriate software and summarised via a narrative summary. After screening, 280 studies were included in this review. The most commonly used group of wound fluid collection methods were vacuum, drainage or use of other external devices, with surgical wounds being the most common sample source. Other frequently used collection methods were extraction from absorbent materials, collection beneath an occlusive dressing and direct collection of wound fluid. This scoping review highlights the variety of methods used for wound fluid collection. Many studies had small sample sizes and short sample collection periods; these weaknesses have hampered the discovery and validation of novel biomarkers. Future research should aim to assess the reproducibility and feasibility of sampling and analytical methods for use in larger longitudinal studies.

The Analgesic Benefits of Ketorolac to Local Anesthetic Wound Infiltration Is Statistically Significant But Clinically Unimportant: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: Even though ketorolac-infiltration is said to provide superior postoperative analgesic benefits in different surgical procedures, its safety and efficacy remain to be validated because of the lack of high-quality evidence. We aimed to summarize the efficacy and safety of ketorolac-infiltration based on published randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). Approach: This work followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews and the Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. We searched for RCTs evaluating the efficacy of ketorolac-infiltration in adults in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese databases, and Google Scholar. The two co-primary outcomes of this meta-analysis were rescue analgesic consumption in the 24-h postoperative period and rest pain scores. Results: Twelve trials (761 patients) were analyzed. Ketorolac-infiltration provided a clinically unimportant benefit in morphine consumption (mean difference, -2.81 mg; 95% confidence interval [CI], -5.11 to -0.50; p = 0.02; moderate-quality evidence). Low-to-moderate quality evidence supported a brief (2-6 h), clinically subtle, but statistically consistent effect of surgical site ketorolac-infiltration in reducing wound pain at rest. High-quality evidence supported shorter hospital stays for surgical patients receiving local ketorolac-infiltration when compared to controls (mean difference, -0.12 days; 95% CI, -0.17 to -0.08; p < 0.00001). Further, ketorolac-infiltration does not improve any opioid-related side effects. Innovation: Ketorolac-infiltration provides statistically significant but clinically unimportant benefits for improving postoperative wound pain. Conclusion: Overall, despite the fact that current moderate-to-high quality of evidence does not support routine using of ketorolac as an adjuvant to local anesthetic for wound infiltration, these findings underscore the importance of optimizing agents and sustained delivery parameters in postoperative local anesthetic practice. Clinical Trials.gov ID: CRD42021229095.

Wound Pain and Wound Healing Biomarkers From Wound Exudate: A Scoping Review

PURPOSE

Effective management of wound pain is essential for optimal wound healing. Nevertheless, the outcomes of wound pain interventions are based on subjective measures, which can prove problematic in patients with cognitive impairment. Identification of biomarkers associated with wound pain and wound healing can be used to more objectively estimate wound pain and contribute to the development of precise management options to reduce wound pain and promote wound healing. This scoping review aimed to identify wound pain and wound healing biomarkers from wound exudates and to describe different wound collection methods to identify these biomarkers.

METHODS

We searched the literature (PROSPERO database registration number: CRD42018103843) via a scoping review.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The PubMed database was searched for articles that explored relationships between cutaneous wound pain, wound healing, and biomolecules. Inclusion criteria were articles that reported original data, used adult human samples, and were published in English.

FINDINGS

Twenty-one articles were retrieved: 17 investigated molecules from wound exudate associated with wound healing status, and 4 reported molecules associated with wound pain. The most frequently observed wound pain biomarkers were proinflammatory cytokines; the most frequently observed wound healing biomarkers were proteases including those in the matrix metalloproteinase family. Six wound exudate collection methods were identified to extract potential wound pain and wound healing biomarkers from wound exudate.

IMPLICATIONS

The results can guide future wound exudate research to validate these wound pain and wound healing biomarkers and to develop therapies targeting these biomarkers to reduce wound pain and promote wound healing.

Ropivacaine and Ketorolac Wound Infusion for Post-Cesarean Delivery Analgesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of wound infusion with ropivacaine plus ketorolac compared with placebo for post-cesarean delivery analgesia in women who received a multimodal analgesic regimen including intrathecal morphine.

METHODS

In a randomized double-blind study, women undergoing scheduled cesarean delivery under spinal or combined spinal epidural anesthesia were randomized to wound infusion with ropivacaine 0.2% plus ketorolac, or saline placebo using an elastometric pump for 48 hours. The primary outcome was pain score with movement at 24 hours after surgery (0-10 scale, 0=no pain and 10=worst possible pain). Secondary outcomes included pain scores at rest at 24 hours, pain scores at rest and with movement at 2 and 48 hours, opioid consumption, and time to first rescue analgesic. A sample size of 35 per group (n=70) was planned.

RESULTS

From November 8, 2016, to May 17, 2019, 247 women were screened, and 71 completed the study per protocol: 38 in the placebo group and 33 in the ropivacaine plus ketorolac group. Patient demographics and intraoperative characteristics were comparable between the groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in the primary outcome of pain score with movement at 24 hours (difference in median score 0, 95% CI -1 to 2, P=.94). There were also no significant differences between the placebo and ropivacaine plus ketorolac groups in pain scores at other time points, in total opioid consumption (difference in median consumption -12.5 mg, 95% CI -30 to 5, P=.11), or in time to rescue analgesics (median [interquartile range] 660 [9-1,496] vs 954 [244-1,710] minutes, hazard ratio 0.69, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.17, P=.16).

CONCLUSION

There was no benefit of wound infusion with ropivacaine and ketorolac in women who received intrathecal morphine and a multimodal analgesic regimen.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02829944.

FUNDING SOURCE

The study was supported in part by Avanos Medical Inc.

Adjuncts to local anesthetic wound infiltration for postoperative analgesia: a systematic review

Local anesthetics (LAs) are commonly infiltrated into surgical wounds for postsurgical analgesia. While many adjuncts to LA agents have been studied, it is unclear which adjuncts are most effective for co-infiltration to improve and prolong analgesia. We performed a systematic review on adjuncts (excluding epinephrine) to local infiltrative anesthesia to determine their analgesic efficacy and opioid-sparing properties. Multiple databases were searched up to December 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two reviewers independently performed title/abstract screening and full-text review. Inclusion criteria were (1) adult surgical patients and (2) adjunct and LA agents infiltration into the surgical wound or subcutaneous tissue for postoperative analgesia. To focus on wound infiltration, studies on intra-articular, peri-tonsillar, or fascial plane infiltration were excluded. The primary outcome was reduction in postoperative opioid requirement. Secondary outcomes were time-to-first analgesic use, postoperative pain score, and any reported adverse effects. We screened 6670 citations, reviewed 126 full-text articles, and included 89 RCTs. Adjuncts included opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, alpha-2 agonists, ketamine, magnesium, neosaxitoxin, and methylene blue. Alpha-2 agonists have the most evidence to support their use as adjuncts to LA infiltration. Fentanyl, ketorolac, dexamethasone, magnesium and several other agents show potential as adjuncts but require more evidence. Most studies support the safety of these agents. Our findings suggest benefits of several adjuncts to local infiltrative anesthesia for postoperative analgesia. Further well-powered RCTs are needed to compare various infiltration regimens and agents.

Protocol registration

PROSPERO (CRD42018103851) (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=103851)

Effects of patient-controlled analgesia with hydromorphone or sufentanil on postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing thoracic surgery: a quasi-experimental study

Objective

To compare the analgesic effects of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCA) with hydromorphone and sufentanil after thoracic surgery on postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs).

Methods

A total of 142 patients who were scheduled for thoracic surgery were randomly allocated to receive PCA with hydromorphone (group A: experimental group): hydromorphone 0.2 mg/kg + dezocine 0.5 mg/kg + ramosetron 0.6 mg diluted with normal saline to 200 mL; or with sufentanil (group B: control group): sufentanil 3.0μg/kg + dezocine 0.5 mg/kg + ramosetron 0.6 mg diluted with normal saline to 200 mL. The parameters of intravenous analgesia pump were set as background dose 4 ml/h, PCA dose 1 mL, locking time 15 min. Pain NRS (numerical rating scale), Ramsay sedation score, nausea or vomiting score were evaluated at 0 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h after operation. The cases of PPCs (atelectasis, pulmonary infection, respiratory failure), CRP (C-reaction protein) and inflammatory cells (white cell count and percentage of neutrophils) and blood gas analysis at 12 h after operation, length of ICU and postoperative stay were recorded for each patient.

Results

Data of 136 patients were analyzed. Compared with group B (4[IQR:2,2]), the pain NRS in group A (2[IQR:4,4]) was significantly lower at 6 h after operation (P = 0.000). The CRP in group A (69.79 ± 32.13 mg/L) were lower than group B (76.76 ± 43.42 mg/L) after operation, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.427). No difference of nausea or vomiting was found between group A (7.3%) and group B (5.8%) postoperatively (P = 0.999). The PPCs were happened in 11 patients in group A (16.2%) and 22 patients in group B (32.4%) and the difference between two groups was significant (P = 0.027). Seven patients in group A (10.3%) and eighteen patients in group B (26.5%) had clinical evidence of pneumonia and the difference between two groups was significant (P = 0.014). The length of ICU and postoperative stay in group A were 2.73 h and 1.82 days less than group B respectively but the differences were not significant (P = 0.234, P = 0.186 respectively).

Conclusion

Compared with sufentanil, hydromorphone may provide better postoperative analgesic effect with less pulmonary complications for patients undergoing thoracic surgery, and it may accelerate patients’ rehabilitation.

Trial registration

Randomized Controlled Trials ChiCTR1800014282c. Registered 3 January 2018.

Efficacy of continuous in-wound infusion of levobupivacaine and ketorolac for post-caesarean section analgesia: a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

In-wound catheters for infusion of local anaesthetic for post-caesarean section analgesia are well tolerated in parturients. Few studies have examined continuous in-wound infusion of a combination of local anaesthetic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for post-caesarean section analgesia. This single centre study evaluated post-operative analgesic efficacy and piritramide-sparing effects of continuous in-wound infusion of either local anaesthetic or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, or the combination of both, versus saline placebo, when added to systemic analgesia with paracetamol.

METHODS

After National Ethical Board approval, 59 pregnant women scheduled for non-emergency caesarean section were included in this prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The parturients received spinal anaesthesia with levobupivacaine and fentanyl. Post-operative analgesia to 48 h included paracetamol 1000 mg intravenously every 6 h, with the studied agents as in-wound infusions. Rescue analgesia with piritramide was available as needed, titrated to 2 mg intravenously. Four groups were compared, using a subcutaneous multi-holed catheter connected to an elastomeric pump running at 5 mL/h over 48 h. The different in-wound infusions were: levobupivacaine 0.25% alone; ketorolac tromethamine 0.08% alone; levobupivacaine 0.25% plus ketorolac tromethamine 0.08%; or saline placebo. The primary outcome was total rescue piritramide used at 24 h and 48 h post-operatively, under maintained optimal post-caesarean section analgesia.

RESULTS

Compared to placebo in-wound infusions, ketorolac alone and levobupivacaine plus ketorolac in-wound infusions both significantly reduced post-operative piritramide consumption at 24 h (p = 0.003; p < 0.001, respectively) and 48 h (p = 0.001; p < 0.001). Compared to levobupivacaine, levobupivacaine plus ketorolac significantly reduced post-operative piritramide consumption at 24 h (p = 0.015) and 48 h (p = 0.021). For levobupivacaine versus ketorolac, no significant differences were seen for post-operative piritramide consumption at 24 h and 48 h (p = 0.141; p = 0.054).

CONCLUSION

Continuous in-wound infusion with levobupivacaine plus ketorolac provides greater opioid-sparing effects than continuous in-wound infusion with levobupivacaine alone.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register: retrospectively registered on 30 July, 2014, DRKS 00006559 .

Local anaesthetic wound infiltration for postcaesarean section analgesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Wound infiltration with local anaesthetics has been investigated as a potentially useful method for providing analgesia after caesarean delivery, but the literature is inconclusive.

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to assess the efficacy of local anaesthetic wound infiltration in reducing pain scores and opioid consumption in women undergoing caesarean delivery.

DESIGN

Systematic review of randomised controlled trials with meta-analyses.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials (CENTRAL) until December 2015.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of local anaesthetic wound infiltration using an infusion or single injection technique for postcaesarean section analgesia.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies were included in the final analysis (11 studies using an infusion technique and 10 studies using single infiltration). Local anaesthetic wound infiltration significantly decreased opioid consumption at 24 h [mean difference -9.69 mg morphine equivalents, 95% confidence interval (CI), -14.85 to -4.52] and pain scores after 24 h at rest (mean difference -0.36, 95% CI, -0.58 to -0.14) and on movement (mean difference -0.61, 95% CI, -1.19 to -0.03). Subgroup analysis did not suggest a difference in primary outcomes between infusions and single infiltration. Opioid consumption was reduced in patients who did not receive intrathecal morphine but not in those who received intrathecal morphine, although there were very little data in patients receiving intrathecal morphine. Pain scores at rest and on movement at 24 h were reduced with catheter placement below the fascia but not above the fascia. There were no statistically significant reductions in nausea, vomiting or pruritus with local anaesthetic infiltration.

CONCLUSION

Local anaesthetic wound infiltration reduces postoperative opioid consumption but had minimal effect on pain scores and did not reduce opioid-related side-effects in women who had undergone delivery by caesarean section. The review is limited by a paucity of studies using intrathecal morphine and by the indirect comparisons performed for subgroup analyses.

Evaluation of a novel biodegradable thermosensitive keto-hydrogel for improving postoperative pain in a rat model

This study evaluates the sustained analgesic effect of ketorolac-eluting thermosensitive biodegradable hydrogel in the plantar incisional pain model of the rat hind-paw. A ketorolac-embedded 2, 2'-Bis (2-oxazolin) (BOX) linking methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (mPEG-PLGA) diblock copolymer (BOX copolymer) was synthesized as keto-hydrogel based on optimal sol-gel phase transition and in vitro drug release profile. The effect of keto-hydrogel on postoperative pain (POP) was assessed using the established plantar incisional pain model in hind-paw of rats and compared to that of ketorolac solution. Pain and sensory threshold, as well as pain scoring, were evaluated with behavioral tests by means of anesthesiometer and incapacitance apparatus, respectively. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, VEGF, and IL-1β) around incisional wounds were measured by ELISA. Tissue histology was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. Ten mg/mL (25 wt%) keto-hydrogel showed a sol-gel transition at 26.4°C with a 10-day sustained drug release profile in vitro. Compared to ketorolac solution group, the concentration of ketorolac in tissue fluid was higher in the keto-hydrogel group during the first 18 h of application. Keto-hydrogel elevated pain and sensory threshold, increased weight-bearing capacity, and significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β while enhanced VEGF in tissue fluid. Histologic analysis reveals greater epithelialization and collagen deposition around wound treated with keto-hydrogel. In conclusion, our study suggests that keto-hydrogel is an ideal compound to treat POP with a secondary gain of improved incisional wound healing.

Analgesic Effects of Locally Administered Ketorolac-based Analgesics After Breast Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE

Reducing postoperative pain following breast surgery is crucial for rapid recovery and shortening hospital stay. Ketorolac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, has been used as a postoperative analgesic in many surgical procedures. We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of locally administered ketorolac-based analgesics in managing pain after breast surgery.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov registry for randomized control trials (RCTs) published up to September 2016. The primary outcome was pain level assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) at 1 and 6 hours following breast surgery.

RESULTS

We reviewed 4 RCTs with 255 patients. For meta-analysis, VAS at 1 and 6 hours of 3 similar RCTs were compared. At 1 hour, VAS scores were significantly lower in patients administered a ketorolac solution [weighted mean difference (WMD)=-2.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.08 to -1.00] or ketorolac-bupivacaine solution (WMD=-2.30; 95% CI, -4.07 to -0.54) than in controls. At 6 hours, the ketorolac-bupivacaine solution reduced VAS scores significantly (WMD=-1.40; 95% CI, -2.48 to -0.32) compared with controls. However, at 1 hour, the ketorolac solution was significantly more effective than the bupivacaine solution was (WMD=-1.70; 95% CI, -2.81 to -0.59).

DISCUSSION

The effects of ketorolac-based analgesics vary as per the surgery and disease type. Locally administered ketorolac-based analgesics decreased postoperative pain in breast surgery patients, and the effect of local ketorolac was better than local bupivacaine. Therefore, ketorolac-based analgesics demonstrate considerable local infiltration during pain management after breast surgery.

Additives to local anesthetics for peripheral nerve blocks or local anesthesia: a review of the literature

SUMMARY 

A multitude of studies have focused on individual additives to local anesthetics and their effect on quality, onset, duration, spread and selectivity, as well as the potential toxic effects of their use. This review aims to give a broad overview of the current evidence in this developing field, based on beneficial and adverse effects of these drugs. We discuss the limitations of the available data and hope to convey implications and future perspectives for clinicians and researchers alike.

The role of subcutaneous ketorolac for pain management

This Hospital Pharmacy feature is extracted from Off-Label Drug Facts, a publication available from Wolters Kluwer Health. Off-Label Drug Facts is a practitioner-oriented resource for information about specific drug uses that are unapproved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This new guide to the literature enables the health care professional or clinician to quickly identify published studies on off-label uses and determine if a specific use is rational in a patient care scenario. References direct the reader to the full literature for more comprehensive information before patient care decisions are made. Direct questions or comments regarding Off-Label Drug Uses to jgeneral@ku.edu.

Reporting of sample size calculations in analgesic clinical trials: ACTTION systematic review

Sample size calculations determine the number of participants required to have sufficiently high power to detect a given treatment effect. In this review, we examined the reporting quality of sample size calculations in 172 publications of double-blind randomized controlled trials of noninvasive pharmacologic or interventional (ie, invasive) pain treatments published in European Journal of Pain, Journal of Pain, and Pain from January 2006 through June 2013. Sixty-five percent of publications reported a sample size calculation but only 38% provided all elements required to replicate the calculated sample size. In publications reporting at least 1 element, 54% provided a justification for the treatment effect used to calculate sample size, and 24% of studies with continuous outcome variables justified the variability estimate. Publications of clinical pain condition trials reported a sample size calculation more frequently than experimental pain model trials (77% vs 33%, P < .001) but did not differ in the frequency of reporting all required elements. No significant differences in reporting of any or all elements were detected between publications of trials with industry and nonindustry sponsorship. Twenty-eight percent included a discrepancy between the reported number of planned and randomized participants. This study suggests that sample size calculation reporting in analgesic trial publications is usually incomplete. Investigators should provide detailed accounts of sample size calculations in publications of clinical trials of pain treatments, which is necessary for reporting transparency and communication of pre-trial design decisions.

PERSPECTIVE

In this systematic review of analgesic clinical trials, sample size calculations and the required elements (eg, treatment effect to be detected; power level) were incompletely reported. A lack of transparency regarding sample size calculations may raise questions about the appropriateness of the calculated sample size.