Safety of Patient-Controlled Analgesia After Surgery in Children And Adolescents: Concerns And Potential Solutions

Research hotspots and trends on post-cesarean section analgesia: A scientometric analysis from 2001 to 2021

This study aims to demonstrate current research priorities and predict future trends of post-cesarean section analgesia by scientometric analysis. We collected nearly 20 years (2002-2021) of publications related to post-cesarean section analgesia in the web of science database. Citespace was applied to evaluate the knowledge mapping. There are 2735 manuscripts about the post-cesarean section in total. The country, institution, and author posted the most separately are the USA, Univ Calif Irvine, and BRENDAN CARVALHO. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC ANESTHESIA (21) publishes the most articles of this type, and ANESTHESIOLOGY has the greatest impact (1496 co-citations). In addition, the most key cited reference is McDonnell, J.G (43). Post-cesarean section analgesia research, including spinal anesthesia, postoperative pain, and epidural analgesia, has been a research hotspot in recent years. Through scientometric analysis of the past 20 years, we know the TAP blocks and drug selection in patient-controlled analgesia are the focus of future research. The USA, China, and Turkey have become the main research forces in this field, with high publication rates and centrality. This is important for accurately and quickly locating trends in this field.

Pediatric Perioperative Clinical Pharmacy Practice: Clinical Considerations and Management: An Opinion of the Pediatrics and Perioperative Care Practice and Research Networks of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy

Pediatric perioperative clinical pharmacists are uniquely positioned to provide therapeutic and medication management expertise at a particularly vulnerable transition of care from the preoperative space, through surgery, and postoperative setting. There are many direct-patient care activities that are included in the role of the pediatric perioperative pharmacist, as well as many opportunities to develop effective, optimized, and safe medication use processes. This article outlines many of the areas in which a pediatric perioperative clinical pharmacist may intervene.

Effectiveness of Patient-Controlled Intravenous Analgesia (PCIA) with Sufentanil Background Infusion for Post-Cesarean Analgesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose

To investigate the effectiveness of sufentanil patient-controlled intravenous analgesia pump (PCIA) and background infusion in patients of post-cesarean analgesia.

Patients and Methods

This trial compared two groups of women undergoing cesarean section and receiving PCIA: no background infusion group (n=30), 6-min lockout time, and background infusion group (n=30), 2 mL/h infusion, 10-min lockout time. Both groups with 2 μg/kg sufentanil was diluted to 100 mL with normal saline. VAS scores at rest at 36 h was the primary endpoint. The secondary endpoints were the VAS scores at rest at 6, 12, and 24 h, the total amount of sufentanil consumed, the Ramsay sedation score (RSS) assessed at the same time points, postpartum bleeding within 24 h, the injection/attempt (I/A) ratio, BP and HR, PONV, side effects of sufentanil.

Results

Compared with the no background infusion group, the background infusion group showed lower VAS pain scores at 6, 12, and 24 h (P<0.01), but no differences at 36 h (95% CI = -0.5-0.8. P>0.05). Attempts, injections, and total sufentanil consumption were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.001), but without difference in I/A. Bleeding was less in the background infusion group at 1 h (P=0.03). The minimal respiration rates were not significantly different between groups.

Conclusion

Background infusion increased the total consumption of sufentanil within 36 h after cesarean section. Although it did not reduce uterine contraction pain and wound pain at 36 h, it significantly reduced the pain at 6, 12, and 24 h after cesarean section. It improved patient satisfaction and reduced the amount of bleeding after 1 h. Importantly, it did not increase the incidence of hypertension, PONV and respiratory depression.

Performance evaluation study of a commercially available smart patient-controlled analgesia pump with the microbalance method and an infusion analyzer

Background

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) has been widely used as an effective medical treatment for pain and for postoperative analgesia. However, improper dose errors in intravenous (IV) administration of narcotic analgesics from a PCA infusion pump can cause patient harm. Furthermore, opioid overdose is considered one of the highest risk factors for patients receiving pain medications. Therefore, accurate delivery of opioid analgesics is a critical function of PCA infusion pumps.

Methods

We designed a microbalance method that consisted of a closed acrylic chamber containing a layer and an oil layer with an electronic balance. A commercially available infusion analyzer (IDA-5, Fluke Co., Everett, WA, USA) was used to measure the accuracy of the infusion flow rate from a commercially available smart PCA infusion pump (PS-1000, UNIMEDICS, Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea) and compared with the results of the microbalance method. We evaluated the uncertainty of the flow rate measurement using the ISO guide (GUM:1995 part3). The battery life, delay time of the occlusion alarm, and bolus function of the PCA pump were also tested.

Results

The microbalance method was good in the short-term 2 h measurement, and IDA-5 was good in the long-term 24 h measurement. The two measurement systems can complement each other in the case of the measurement time. Regarding battery performance, PS-1000 lasted approximately 5 days in a 1 ml/hr flow rate condition without recharging the battery. The occlusion pressure alarm delays of PS-1000 satisfied the conventional alarm threshold of occlusion pressure (300-800 mmHg). Average accuracy bolus volume was measured as 63%, 95%, and 98.5% with 0.1 ml, 1 ml, and 2 ml bolus volume presets, respectively. A 1 ml/hr flow rate measurement was evaluated as 2.08% of expanded uncertainty, with a 95% confidence level.

Conclusion

PS-1000 showed a flow accuracy to be within the infusion pump standard, which is ± 5% of flow accuracy. Occlusion alarm of PS-1000 was quickly transmitted, resulting in better safety for patients receiving IV infusion of opioids. PS-1000 is sufficient for a portable smart PCA infusion pump.

Predicting Acute Postoperative Pain Trajectories and Long-Term Outcomes of Adolescents after Spinal Fusion Surgery

Objectives

Acute pain trajectories are associated with long-term outcomes such as persistent pain and functional disability in adults. However, there are limited data on acute postoperative pain trajectories in the pediatric population. The aims of this study were to investigate acute postoperative pain trajectories, their predictors, and their impact on long- term outcomes in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods

We evaluated the preoperative pain intensity, use of analgesics, psychosocial measures and physical functioning of adolescents scheduled to undergo spinal fusion, and their average 6-hour self-reported pain intensity scores for their entire hospital stay. Six months after surgery, baseline variables were reassessed. We used growth mixture modeling to conduct acute postoperative pain trajectory analysis and to identify predictors of pain trajectories. Generalized linear models were conducted to determine whether acute pain trajectories predict long-term outcomes.

Results

One hundred and six patients were included in the best-fitted acute pain trajectory model that included four classes that differed in initial pain intensity and rates of change over time. Preoperative pain catastrophizer status and use of analgesics significantly predicted pain trajectory membership. Furthermore, at the 6-month follow-up, patients experiencing moderate-to-severe pain in the acute postoperative period were more likely to report higher levels of pain severity, use pain medication, and miss a greater number of school/work days due to back pain in the last three months. Discussion. Preoperative assessment and analyzing the progression of pain in the acute postoperative period can help identify those at risk of negative long-term outcomes after surgery.

Quo Vadis PCA? A Review on Current Concepts, Economic Considerations, Patient-Related Aspects, and Future Development with respect to Patient-Controlled Analgesia

This review assesses four interrelating aspects of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), a long-standing and still widely used concept for postoperative pain management. Over the years, anaesthesiologists and patients have appreciated the benefits of PCA alike. The market has seen new technologies leveraging noninvasive routes of administration and, thus, further increasing patient and staff satisfaction as well as promoting safety aspects. Pharmaceutical research focuses on the reduction or avoidance of opioids, side effects, and adverse events although influence of these aspects appears to be minor. The importance of education is still eminent, and new educational formats are tested to train healthcare professionals and patients likewise. New PCA technology can support the implementation of efficient processes to reduce workload and human errors; however, these new products come with a cost, which is not necessarily reflected through beneficial budget impact or significant improvements in patient outcome. Although first steps have been taken to better recognize the importance of postoperative pain management through the introduction of value-based reimbursement, in most western countries, PCA is not specifically compensated. PCA is still an effective and valued technique for postoperative pain management. Although there is identifiable potential for future developments in various aspects, this potential has not materialized in new products.