A comparison between ketorolac and nefopam as adjuvant analgesics for postoperative patient-controlled analgesia: a randomized, double-blind, prospective study

Pain management after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review and procedure-specific postoperative pain management (PROSPECT) recommendations

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be associated with significant postoperative pain that is difficult to treat. We aimed to evaluate the available literature and develop updated recommendations for optimal pain management after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A systematic review was performed using the procedure-specific postoperative pain management (PROSPECT) methodology. Randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews published in the English language from August 2017 to December 2022 assessing postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy using analgesic, anaesthetic or surgical interventions were identified from MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Databases. From 589 full text articles, 157 randomised controlled trials and 31 systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. Paracetamol combined with NSAIDs or cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors should be given either pre-operatively or intra-operatively, unless contraindicated. In addition, intra-operative intravenous (i.v.) dexamethasone, port-site wound infiltration or intraperitoneal local anaesthetic instillation are recommended, with opioids used for rescue analgesia. As a second-line regional technique, the erector spinae plane block or transversus abdominis plane block may be reserved for patients with a heightened risk of postoperative pain. Three-port laparoscopy, a low-pressure pneumoperitoneum, umbilical port extraction, active aspiration of the pneumoperitoneum and saline irrigation are recommended technical aspects of the operative procedure. The following interventions are not recommended due to limited or no evidence on improved pain scores: single port or mini-port techniques, routine drainage, low flow insufflation, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), infra-umbilical incision, i.v. clonidine, nefopam and regional techniques such as quadratus lumborum block or rectus sheath block. Several interventions provided better pain scores but are not recommended due to risk of side effects: spinal or epidural anaesthesia, gabapentinoids, i.v. lidocaine, i.v. ketamine and i.v. dexmedetomidine.

Comparison of Nefopam-Based Patient-Controlled Analgesia with Opioid-Based Patient-Controlled Analgesia for Postoperative Pain Management in Immediate Breast Reconstruction Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background/Objectives: Immediate breast reconstruction surgery (BRS) often leads to significant postoperative pain, necessitating effective analgesia. This study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) containing nefopam with that of PCA containing opioids alone in patients undergoing BRS. Methods: A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted on 120 patients undergoing immediate BRS after mastectomy. Patients were randomly allocated to receive PCA with fentanyl alone (Group F: fentanyl 10 mcg/kg), fentanyl and nefopam (Group FN: fentanyl 5 mcg/kg + nefopam 1 mg/kg), or nefopam alone (Group N: nefopam 2 mg/kg). Pain intensity (expressed in VASr and VASm), opioid consumption, and opioid-related complications were assessed. Results: PCA with nefopam, either alone or in combination with opioids, demonstrated non-inferior analgesic efficacy compared to PCA with fentanyl alone. At 24 h postoperatively, the VASr scores were 2.9 ± 1.0 in Group F, 3.1 ± 1.2 in Group FN, and 2.8 ± 0.9 in Group N (p = 0.501). At the same timepoint, the VASm scores were 4.1 ± 1.2 in Group F, 4.5 ± 1.5 in Group FN, and 3.8 ± 1.4 in Group N (p = 0.129). Significant differences among the three groups were observed at all timepoints except for PACU in terms of the total opioid consumption (p < 0.0001). However, there were no significant differences in opioid-related complications among the three groups. Conclusions: PCA with nefopam, whether alone or in combination with opioids, offers non-inferior analgesic efficacy compared to PCA with fentanyl alone in patients undergoing immediate BRS.

Effect of Nefopam-Based Patient-Controlled Analgesia with and without Fentanyl on Postoperative Pain Intensity in Patients Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Non-Inferiority Trial

Background and Objectives: We investigated the non-inferiority of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), using either nefopam alone or combined nefopam-fentanyl for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, randomized, controlled study, 78 patients were allocated to receive nefopam 240 mg (Group N240) or nefopam 120 mg with fentanyl 600 μg (Group NF), equivalent to fentanyl 1200 μg, with a total PCA volume of 120 mL. Patients were given a loading dose (0.1 mL/kg) from the PCA device along with ramosetron (0.3 mg) and connected to a PCA device with a background infusion rate of 2 mL/h, bolus dose amount set at 2 mL, and lockout interval set at 15 min. Pain scores were obtained using the numeric rating scale (NRS) at 30 min after recovery room (RR) admission, as well as 8 and 24 h postoperatively. The primary outcome was analgesic efficacy evaluated using NRS-rated 8 h postoperatively. Other evaluated outcomes included the incidence rate of bolus demand, rescue analgesic and antiemetic requirements, and postoperative adverse effects. Results: NRS scores were not significantly different between the groups throughout the postoperative period (p = 0.539). NRS scores of group N240 were not inferior to those of group NF at 30 min after RR admission, or at 8 and 24 h postoperatively (mean difference [95% CI], -0.05 [-0.73 to 0.63], 0.10 [-0.29 to 0.50], and 0.28 [-0.06 to 0.62], respectively). Postoperative adverse effects were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 1.000) and other outcomes were also not significantly different between the two groups (p ≥ 0.225). Conclusions: PCA using nefopam alone has a non-inferior and effective analgesic efficacy and produces a lower incidence of postoperative adverse effects compared to a combination of fentanyl and nefopam after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Perioperative Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesic Efficacy of Morphine with Combined Nefopam and Parecoxib versus Parecoxib in Gynecologic Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study

Background

Nefopam is a non-NSAIDs and opioid sparing centrally acting drug which is effective for a multimodal postoperative analgesia. The present study aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of nefopam combined with parecoxib for gynecologic surgery.

Methods

This randomized double-blinded control trial recruited participants (n = 72) who underwent gynecologic surgeries and divided them into either a nefopam or control group. The study group received parecoxib 40 mg plus nefopam 20 mg, while the control group received parecoxib 40 mg plus normal saline solution intravenously during open abdominal gynecological surgery. Both groups then received either nefopam or normal saline every 6 hours postoperatively for 24 hours. Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with morphine was given for breakthrough pain within 24 h. The participants were evaluated for morphine consumption within 24 hours and postoperative pain using a verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) at a postanesthetic care unit, at 6-, 12-, and 24-hour postoperative periods. Adverse effects were recorded.

Results

Morphine consumption within 24 hours and adverse effects were not significantly different between both groups. Mean difference and 95% confident interval of morphine consumption between both groups was 1.00 (−4.56, 4.76), P=0.97. The VNRS on movement at 6 hours after surgery of the nefopam group was significantly different from that of the control group [mean (SD), 4.14 (2.11) vs. 5.14 (1.80), P=0.04]. The VNRS of the nefopam group at 12 hours after operation during resting and on movement was significantly different from that of the control group ([mean (SD), 1.47 (1.80) vs. 2.54 (2.15), P=0.03], [mean (SD), 3.22 (1.84) vs 4.17 (1.74), P=0.03]), respectively.

Conclusions

The combined administration of nefopam and parecoxib during gynecologic surgery slightly reduced the VNRS at 6 and 12 hours postoperatively more than treatment with parecoxib.

Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia: in vitro stability profiles of mixtures containing fentanyl, hydromorphone, oxycodone, nefopam, ondansetron, and ramosetron

Background and objectives

Patient-controlled analgesia often involves combinations of multiple drugs. This study aimed to determine the stability of drug mixtures commonly used for intravenous patient-controlled analgesia.

Materials and methods

We examined four of the most commonly used drug combinations in intravenous patient-controlled analgesia at our institution. Mixtures contained fentanyl (400 μg), either oxycodone (10 mg) or hydromorphone (4 mg), nefopam (20 mg), and either ondansetron (10 mg) or ramosetron (0.3 mg). Each drug mixture was diluted in 0.9% saline and stored in a portable patient-controlled analgesia system at room temperature (24 °C) for 96 h. Physical attributes including color, turbidity, and precipitation were assessed using digital imaging and optical microscopy. Sterility testing was conducted to assess for microbiological contamination. The pH of each mixture was monitored for up to 96 h after mixing. The concentration of each drug in the mixture was also evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results

All mixtures remained colorless and transparent with no visible sediment for 96 h. After 14 days of culture, none of the samples showed bacterial or fungal growth. The pH for all mixtures was maintained between 4.17 and 5.19, and the mean pH change in any mixture was less than 0.4 over the study period. The concentration of each drug remained between 90 and 110% of the initial value for 96 h after mixing.

Conclusion

Four drug mixtures commonly used for intravenous patient-controlled analgesia are physiochemically stable and remain sterile for 96 h after mixing.

Analgesic efficacy of nefopam for cancer pain: a randomized controlled study

Background: Nefopam is a non-opioid, non-steroidal, central acting drug used effectively for postoperative pain. The efficacy of nefopam for cancer pain remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of nefopam for cancer pain in a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Patients with moderate to severe cancer pain (n=40) were randomly divided into two groups. The nefopam group (n=20) received three 20 mg doses of nefopam every 8 hours. The placebo group (n=20) received normal saline. Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with morphine was given for breakthrough pain for 48 hours. The primary outcome was significant pain reduction. Secondary outcomes were morphine consumption over 48 hours and incidence of side effects. Results: The nefopam group showed pain reduction at 12 hours (65% of patients), 24 hours (80%), 36 hours (85%), and 48 hours (65%). The placebo group showed pain reduction at 12 hours (70%), 24 hours (75%), 36 hours (80%), and 48 hours (60%). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups (p>0.05). The median dosage of morphine consumption in 48 hours was lower in the nefopam group (25.5 mg) compared with the placebo group (37 mg), but this was not statistically significant (p=0.499). There were no statistically significant differences in blood pressure and heart rate between the groups. Side effects in both groups were comparable. Conclusions: At dosage of 60 mg in 24 hours, nefopam did not provide significant pain reduction in moderate to severe cancer pain patients. However, there was a trend of reduced opioid consumption. Further studies with larger sample sizes, longer duration, or higher doses of nefopam are warranted. Registration: Thai Clinical Trail Registry (TCTR) ID TCTR20181016001; registered on 12 October 2018.

Association of nefopam use with postoperative nausea and vomiting in gynecological patients receiving prophylactic ramosetron: A retrospective study

Background

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common adverse effect of opioid-based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA). Nefopam has been considered as a good candidate for inclusion in multimodal analgesia because of its opioid sparing effect, but it can be emetic. This study aims to examine whether the use of nefopam combined with fentanyl in IV PCA was associated with the higher incidence of PONV in patients receiving prophylactic ramosetron after gynecological surgery.

Methods

Data from 296 patients who underwent gynecological surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The patients received IV PCA containing either fentanyl 1500 μg and ketorolac 90 mg (Group K) or fentanyl 1500 μg and nefopam 80 mg (Group N). All patients in both groups received 0.3 mg of ramosetron at the end of surgery. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of PONV during the 3-day postoperative period.

Results

No difference was observed in the incidence of PONV during the 3-day postoperative period between the two groups. However, the incidence of nausea on postoperative day 2 was significantly higher in Group N (10.3%) than in Group K (2.8%) (P = 0.016). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the use of nefopam was not associated with a higher incidence of PONV (adjusted odds ratio, 1.616; 95% confidence interval, 0.952–2.743, P = 0.076). There were no differences in postoperative pain scores between the two groups.

Conclusion

The combined use of nefopam with fentanyl in IV PCA was not associated with the higher incidence of PONV compared with the use of ketorolac and fentanyl combination in patients who received ramosetron as PONV prophylactic agent. However, prospective trials are required for a confirmative conclusion.