Comparison between effect of lidocaine, morphine and ketamine spray on post-tonsillectomy pain in children

Lidocaine Spray for Acute Postsurgical Pain Control After Posterior Pharyngeal Flap Surgery

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the use of lidocaine spray for acute postsurgical pain control after posterior pharyngeal flap surgery.

METHODS

Fifty patients aged 4 to 14 years who were scheduled to undergo elective posterior pharyngeal flap surgery were randomized to receive 2.4% lidocaine spray (Group L) or an identical volume of placebo spray (Group C) on the surgical field at the end of the surgery. The primary outcome was the maximum postoperative pain score in the postanesthesia care unit.

RESULTS

The maximum pain score in Group L was significantly lower than that in Group C (p = 0.001). The incidence of moderate-to-severe pain in the postanesthesia care unit was significantly lower in Group L than that in Group C (p < 0.001). In the postanesthesia care unit, more patients in Group C were prescribed rescue analgesics (p < 0.001). The time to the first rescue analgesic was also significantly shorter in Group L (p < 0.001). The incidence and maximum score of emergence agitation were lower in Group L than in Group C. Compared with Group C, Group L showed earlier postoperative fluid intake (p = 0.001). Moreover, the score for parental satisfaction with pain control was higher in Group L than in Group C (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated that the use of 2.4% lidocaine aerosol spray on the surgical site at the end of the surgery could produce good analgesia for acute postoperative pain, reduce the incidence and severity of EA, and shorten the time to restore fluid intake.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2 Laryngoscope, 134:2438-2443, 2024.

Efficacy of ketamine mouthwash in the management of oral and pharyngeal toxicity associated with head and neck chemoradiotherapy: protocol for a phase II, Simon's two-stage trial

INTRODUCTION

Curative intent treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) is frequently radiation therapy over 7 weeks with concurrent chemotherapy. This regimen is effective but carries a burden of toxicity leading to severe pain and treatment breaks portending inferior outcomes. Conventional palliation methods include opioids, anticonvulsants and local anaesthetics. Breakthrough toxicities are nevertheless ubiquitous and present an urgent unmet need. Ketamine is an inexpensive drug with mechanisms of analgesia outside the opioid pathway including N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonism and a pharmacologically unique property of opioid desensitisation. Systemic ketamine is validated in randomised controlled trials for efficacy in reducing pain and/or opioid burden in the oncologic setting. Literature supports peripherally administered ketamine for pain control without systemic toxicity. These data support our rationale of using ketamine mouthwash to decrease acute toxicity of curative treatment of HNC, the efficacy of which is our aim to elucidate.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a phase II, Simon's two-stage trial. Patients have pathologically confirmed HNC and an intended regimen of 70 Gy of radiation with concurrent cisplatin. The protocol is initiated on diagnosis of grade 3 mucositis and consists of 2 weeks of 4 times daily (QID) ketamine mouthwash use. The primary endpoint is pain response defined as a combination of pain score and opioid use. 23 subjects will be enrolled in stage 1. If statistical criteria are met, 33 subjects will be enrolled in stage 2. Secondary endpoints include daily pain, daily opioid use, dysphagia at baseline and completion, nightly sleep quality, feeding tube placement and any unscheduled treatment breaks.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

All trial data will be stored in an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved database. The protocol is registered under Northwell IRB registration number #22-0292 and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational New Drug (IND) approval has been granted under IND number 161609. Results are intended to be published in an open-source journal and further data, statistics and source documents are available on request.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05331131.

Comparing Effects of Rhythmic Breathing and Lidocaine Spray on Pain Intensity During Needle Insertion Into Arteriovenous Fistula in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Hemodialysis patients suffer from pain caused by needle insertion into the fistula site. Non-pharmacological methods may be associated with acceptable effects.

Objectives

The present study aimed to compare the effects of two interventions on pain intensity during needle insertion into the arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients.

Methods

This self-controlled, single-blind clinical trial was conducted on 54 hemodialysis subjects with arteriovenous fistula in Mashhad in 2021. In this regard, the patients were selected according to the inclusion criteria and randomly assigned to two groups (lidocaine spray and rhythmic breathing). In each group, pain intensity was assessed based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) before the intervention, followed by measuring the post-intervention pain intensity during three consecutive hemodialysis sessions every other day. Regarding the lidocaine spray group, two puffs of 10% lidocaine spray (20 mg) were sprayed on the needle insertion site five minutes before cannulation. However, the patients in another group took a long deep breath through the nose with three numbers, held their breath in the lungs for three numbers, and slowly exhaled through the mouth with three numbers two minutes before cannulation. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20, and Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon, chi-squared, and paired t-tests were run. In this study, P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The results represented a significant decrease in the pain severity scores of both rhythmic breathing (P = 0.023) and lidocaine spray (P < 0.001) groups after the intervention. Moreover, a more significant difference was observed between pre-and post-intervention pain intensity scores in the group treated with lidocaine spray (1.16 ± 1.56) compared to the other group (0.508 ± 1.25).

Conclusions

The lidocaine spray group had a larger difference in the pre-and post-intervention pain intensity scores than the rhythmic group; however, the difference was not significant. The rhythmic breathing can be used by nurses as a non-pharmacological method with low complications in hemodialysis departments because of declining pain.

The application of xylocaine 10% pump-spray to improve immediate post-adenotonsillectomy pain in children: A randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Post-adenotonsillectomy pain is often severe, requiring substantial analgesia in the first 48-72 h. This pain is not only distressing to the patient and his or her parents, but often reflects poorly on an otherwise well performed procedure. Safe, simple and effective post-adenotonsillectomy pain control is still clinically elusive, even though a multitude of surgical and analgesic interventions have been proposed.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the analgesic properties of immediate post-operative application of xylocaine 10% pump spray to the tonsillar fossae in children having undergone adenotonsillectomy and how this impacts on anesthetic emergence and pain control in the first 24-h.

METHODS

In this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 80 children were stratified into two groups: Group I (3-8 years-old) and Group II (9-14 years-old). Within these groups, participants were randomized to receive either xylocaine 10% pump spray or normal saline 0.9% post-operatively. A standardized anesthetic/analgesic regime was used intra-operatively. The same surgeon performed all surgeries using bi-polar diathermy. Outcome variables included state of anesthetic emergence; pain scores at specific intervals; need for rescue analgesia; post-operative nausea and vomiting; time to first oral intake and comfort associated with initial oral intake.

RESULTS

Xylocaine 10% pump spray consistently provided superior pain control at all time intervals compared to normal saline 0.9% (p = 0.011). This was most pronounced in children 3-8 years old (Group I). Xylocaine 10% pump spray and normal saline 0.9% provided similar pain relief in children 9-14 years old (Group (II) (p = 0.640). Children receiving xylocaine had a decreased incidence of emergence delirium and consistently required less rescue analgesia (p = 0.005). Children who received xylocaine did not eat sooner post-operatively, but they experienced less pain when ingesting liquids (p = 0.003) and solids (p = 0.000). Children who received xylocaine did not experience increased post-operative complications (p = 1.000) or nausea and vomiting (p = 0.153).

CONCLUSION

Xylocaine 10% spray may serve as a valuable adjunct to effective pain control post-adenotonsillectomy, especially if long acting opioids are contraindicated, as with patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The benefit of xylocaine appears to be negligible when a long acting opioid is administered. The benefits of xylocaine were most noteworthy in children aged 3-8 years old. This is the largest trial (n = 80) to date to assess the efficacy of xylocaine spray in isolation post-adenotonsillectomy. Xylocaine also offers improved comfort with oral intake and decreases emergence delirium and need for rescue analgesia without any increase in post-operative complications. Local anesthesia may decrease costs and help to solve the conundrum of a painless adenotonsillectomy especially in resource-limited settings.

Clinical Uses of Ketamine in Children: A Narrative Review

Ketamine is a phencyclidine derivative that acts as a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate as well as a glutamate receptor antagonist. It also has other minor mechanisms that contribute to its extensive drug profile. Ketamine is a bronchodilator and maintains normal airway reflexes and, thus, permits spontaneous respiration. This, coupled with the fact that it produces potent analgesia, makes it highly suitable for children.

Despite its many merits, the drug’s side effects, along with its cultural image of being a drug of abuse, a drug used in veterinary medicine, or a “date-rape drug” have sullied its reputation within the armamentarium of medicine. Even though it is widely used in developing countries, its use in Western nations has diminished. We have strived to explore the various clinical uses of ketamine in children through this article. In addition, the article also highlights how some of the fears associated with using the drug are unfounded and provides ways by which the drug’s side effects can be prevented and managed.

A scoping review of randomized clinical trials for pain management in pediatric tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy

Objectives

To examine the volume, topics, and reporting trends in the published literature of randomized clinical trials for pharmacologic pain management of pediatric tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy and to identify areas requiring further research.

Data Sources

PubMed (National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health), Scopus (Elsevier), CINAHL (EBSCO), and Cochrane Library (Wiley).

Methods

A systematic search of four databases was conducted. Only randomized controlled or comparison trials examining pain improvement with a pharmacologic intervention in pediatric tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy were included. Data collected included demographics, pain-related outcomes, sedation scores, nausea/vomiting, postoperative bleeding, types of drug comparisons, modes of administration, timing of administration, and identities of the investigated drugs.

Results

One hundred and eighty-nine studies were included for analysis. Most studies included validated pain scales, with the majority using visual-assisted scales (49.21%). Fewer studies examined pain beyond 24 h postoperation (24.87%), and few studies included a validated sedation scale (12.17%). Studies have compared several different dimensions of pharmacologic treatment, including different drugs, timing of administration, modes of administration, and dosages. Only 23 (12.17%) studies examined medications administered postoperatively, and only 29 (15.34%) studies examined oral medications. Acetaminophen only had four self-comparisons.

Conclusion

Our work provides the first scoping review of pain and pediatric tonsillectomy. With drug safety profiles considered, the literature does not have enough data to determine which treatment regimen provides superior pain control in pediatric tonsillectomy. Even common drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen require further research for optimizing the treatment of posttonsillectomy pain. The heterogeneity in study design and comparisons weakens the conclusions of potential systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Future directions include more noninferiority studies of unique comparisons and more studies examining oral medications given postoperatively.

Comeback of ketamine: resurfacing facts and dispelling myths

Initially known as CI-581, ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 as a replacement from phencyclidine. It has since been used as an anesthetic and analgesic. In addition, it has bronchodilating, sedative, and amnestic properties, preserving airway reflexes and sympathetic nervous system tone. Since the discovery of ketamine, it has been a major topic of discussion due to controversies regarding its usage in particular sets of patients. In the past 50 years, despite its potential benefits, it is not commonly used because of concerns of "emergence phenomenon," its use as a substance of abuse, and its systemic side effects. Since 2012, three World Health Organization reviews on ketamine have addressed its international control. Researchers have been studying this wonder drug for a decade worldwide. Many myths of ketamine regarding emergence phenomenon and its use in traumatic brain injury and open eye injury have been disproved in recent times. It is becoming popular in pre-hospital settings, critical care, emergency medicine, low-dose acute pain services, and adjuvant in regional anesthesia techniques. This review highlights the current consensus on the various applications of ketamine in the literature.

Outcomes of the Pediatric Development Plan of Tapentadol

The opioid analgesic tapentadol was the first pain medication to be developed for the treatment of pain in children under a formal process established by the regulatory authorities. This article summarizes the outcomes of the pediatric development program for tapentadol across the entire age range from birth (including neonates) to adolescents <18 years of age. In addition, the challenges experienced when designing and conducting the pediatric tapentadol clinical trials as well as the interactions with the regulatory authorities are discussed. As a first outcome, the oral solution of tapentadol was authorized in the EU in 2018 as a new treatment option in the hospital setting for moderate to severe acute pain in children from 2 to <18 years of age.

PROSPECT guideline for tonsillectomy: systematic review and procedure-specific postoperative pain management recommendations

Tonsillectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures; however, pain management remains challenging. Procedure‐specific efficacy as well as specific risks of treatment options should guide selection of pain management protocols based on evidence and should optimise analgesia without harm. The aims of this systematic review were to evaluate the available literature and develop recommendations for optimal pain management after tonsillectomy. A systematic review utilising preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analysis guidelines with procedure‐specific postoperative pain management (PROSPECT) methodology was undertaken. Randomised controlled trials published in the English language up to November 2019 assessing postoperative pain using analgesic, anaesthetic or surgical interventions were identified. Out of the 719 potentially eligible studies identified, 226 randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria, excluding the studies examining surgical techniques. Pre‐operative and intra‐operative interventions that improved postoperative pain were paracetamol; non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs; intravenous dexamethasone; ketamine (only assessed in children); gabapentinoids; dexmedetomidine; honey; and acupuncture. Inconsistent evidence was found for local anaesthetic infiltration; antibiotics; and magnesium sulphate. Limited evidence was found for clonidine. The analgesic regimen for tonsillectomy should include paracetamol; non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs; and intravenous dexamethasone, with opioids as rescue analgesics. Analgesic adjuncts such as intra‐operative and postoperative acupuncture as well as postoperative honey are also recommended. Ketamine (only for children); dexmedetomidine; or gabapentinoids may be considered when some of the first‐line analgesics are contra‐indicated. Further randomised controlled trials are required to define risk and combination of drugs most effective for postoperative pain relief after tonsillectomy.

A review on the recent application of ketamine in management of anesthesia, pain, and health care

Ketamine is considered as a promising drug for many clinical applications even after five decades since its discovery. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic agent with a variety of pharmacological effects from anesthetic induction and maintenance to analgesic and sedative depending on the consuming dose. It can be used solely or in combination with other co-adjuvant drugs, increasing their efficacy. Many therapeutic properties of ketamine have been attributed to its antagonism mechanism to N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Identifying new properties of ketamine such as neuroprotective, antiinflammatory, and antitumor effects, on one hand, and taking advantage of subanesthetic regimens of ketamine, on the other hand, have resulted in a widespread use of ketamine in various clinical applications. Ketamine is solvable in aqueous and lipid solutions, providing convenient administration via multiple routes, including oral, nasal, rectal, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, transdermal, sublingual, and intraosseous administration. Application of ketamine has some advantages over other sedative and anesthetic agents. It produces bronchodilation status, allowing for most secure induction of anesthesia in patients with life-threatening asthma and intense acute bronchial constriction. Ketamine has an excellent hemodynamic profile, makes it the agent of choice for patients with unstable hemodynamics, such as shocked or hypotensive patients. Ketamine usage has been associated with a lower risk of respiratory depression and relatively more conserved airway reflexes. Although being an anesthetic agent, ketamine has been increasingly used in subanesthetic doses for acute and chronic pain as well as depression. Using ketamine in pre and postoperative pain management is well established. However, the studies on ketamine performance in pain management demonstrated contradicting results. On the other hand, various side effects along with no confirmatory data on long-term treatment demand great caution when using ketamine for treating complex chronic pains. The present study aimed to provide a general review on the recent applications of ketamine in anesthesia, pain management, and critical care.

Pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of tapentadol oral solution for treating moderate to severe pain in pediatric patients

Background: This trial is part of the global pediatric clinical development program investigating the administration of the strong analgesic tapentadol in children and adolescents. Patients and methods: The single site, open-label phase 2 trial evaluated the pharmacokinetic profile of tapentadol and its major metabolite, tapentadol-O-glucuronide, as well as safety and tolerability and efficacy of a single dose of tapentadol oral solution (1 mg/kg) in patients (2 to <18 years) undergoing dental, ear, nose, or throat surgery. Blood sampling and pain intensity measurements were conducted using age-appropriate schedules and rating scales, respectively. Adverse events were monitored throughout the trial. Results: Sixty-six patients were treated. They were stratified by age: Group 1 (12 to <18 years), n=21; Group 2 (6 to <12 years), n=28; and Groups 3 (3 to <6 years) and 4 (2 to <3 years), n=17. Serum tapentadol concentrations observed in these pediatric patients were within the range observed in adults after administration of a single tapentadol immediate-release dose (50-100 mg), whereas those of the metabolite tapentadol-O-glucuronide were within the same range or lower than in adults who received comparable single doses of tapentadol. Pain intensity improved over time across all age groups. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were nausea (24.2%), vomiting (16.7%), dizziness (9.1%), and headache (6.1%). Conclusion: A single dose of tapentadol oral solution (1 mg/kg) administered to pediatric patients (2 to <18 years) resulted in serum tapentadol concentrations within the targeted range shown to be safe and efficacious in adults. Tapentadol demonstrated good tolerability and safety; within the limitations of the trial design, improvements in postsurgical pain intensity were observed across the age groups. Tapentadol may provide a new treatment option in the management of moderate to severe pediatric pain.

[The Effect of Pain Relieving Intervention During Infiltration among Gamma Knife Surgery Patients for Stereotactic Frame Fixation]

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare the effects of three interventions on pain, blood pressure, and pulse rate during infiltration anesthesia in patients about to undergo gamma knife surgeries.

METHODS

The three interventions employed in a university-affiliated Hospital in J City, South Korea were as follows: EMLA cream plus Vapocoolant spray (Vapocoolant, n=30), EMLA cream plus 10.0% Lidocaine spray (Lidocaine, n=30), and EMLA cream only (EMLA, n=30). The equivalent control-group pre test - post test study design was used. Pain was assessed subjectively using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and objectively using a Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) tester. NRS scores were assessed after infiltration anesthesia and the GSR was assessed during infiltration anesthesia. Blood pressure and pulse rate were assessed twice: before and after infiltration anesthesia. Data were collected between August 3, 2016 and March 24, 2017.

RESULTS

NRS scores after infiltration anesthesia and the GSR during infiltration anesthesia were significantly lower in the Vapocoolant group than in the Lidocaine and EMLA groups (F=13.56, p<.001 and F=14.43, p<.001, respectively). The increase in systolic blood pressure (F=4.77, p=.011) and in pulse rates (F=4.78, p=.011) before and after infiltration anesthesia were significantly smaller in the Vapocoolant group than in the Lidocaine and EMLA groups; however, no significant differences were observed in diastolic blood pressures (F=1.51, p=.227).

CONCLUSION

EMLA cream plus Vapocoolant spray was the most effective intervention to relieve pain and to lower increase in systolic blood pressure and pulse rate caused by infiltration anesthesia for stereotactic frame fixation. Thus, application of Vapocoolant spray in addition to EMLA cream is highly recommended as a nursing intervention for patients undergoing gamma knife surgeries.

The Efficacy of Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate versus Intravenous Paracetamol on Children Posttonsillectomy Pain and Analgesic Requirement: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background:

One of the most common complications of tonsillectomy is pain, which leading to delayed recovery and later hospital discharge.

Aims:

We intended to compare the efficacy of magnesium sulfate versus paracetamol on the posttonsillectomy pain and analgesic requirement.

Settings and Design:

This study design was a prospective randomized controlled double-blinded clinical study.

Patients and Methods:

A total of 60 children with the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classes I and II, aged 3–12 years, scheduled for tonsillectomy were randomly divided into two groups each group contains 30 patients: (Group M): received an initial loading dose of magnesium sulfate 30 mg/kg over 15 min started with induction followed by continuous infusion of 10 mg/kg/h for 1 h regardless of the operation time and (Group P): received paracetamol infusion 10 mg/kg started with induction and continued for 1 h. Postoperatively, a blinded postanesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse observed the quality of analgesia using the face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability pain scores, bleeding, and sedation.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Student's t-test and Chi-square test were used for analysis.

Results:

Regarding postoperative pain, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups at the time of admission in PACU (P = 0.025) as children who experienced pain already had taken rescue analgesic to alleviate pain. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the need for analgesics (P = 0.038). There was no statistically significant difference regarding bleeding and sedation scores between the two study groups.

Conclusions:

Magnesium sulfate provided better postoperative analgesia and reduced need for analgesics after tonsillectomy compared to paracetamol, and regarding the incidence of bleeding and the degree of sedation the outcome in both groups was readily comparable.

Acute Pain Management in Emergency Department, Low Dose Ketamine Versus Morphine, A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

Ketamine, as an opium alternative, has been proposed for pain relief in the emergency department (ED).

Objectives

This study was carried out to compare low dose ketamine (LDK) with morphine for pain relief in trauma patients.

Methods

In this randomized double-blinded clinical trial, 300 trauma patients from the ED of 2 teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran were enrolled and randomly divided into 2 equal groups. The 1st group received 0.2 mg/kg of ketamine while the 2nd group received 0.1 mg/kg of intravenous morphine. The pain intensity and complications were measured and compared every 15 minutes to 1 hour.

Results

Fifteen minutes after drug injection in both groups, a significant reduction was found in average pain intensity compared to the initial pain (P = 0.01). At 15 minutes, no significant difference was found in both groups in regards to average pain intensity (P = 0.23). The average pain intensity at 30, 45, and 60 minutes in the group receiving morphine was lower than the ketamine group (P = 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001 respectively). Two complications (drop in O₂ saturation below 90% and flushing) were significantly greater in the morphine group.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that LDK, at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg, in the earlier minutes leads to significant reduction of pain when compared to that of intravenous morphine. It also created fewer complications than morphine.

The use of the FLACC pain scale in pediatric patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy

OBJECTIVES

1) Determine the usage rate of opioid pain medication after adenotonsillectomy (T&A). 2) Review the use of the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) pain scale for T&A patients 3) Determine the rate of postoperative physician contacts for pain related complaints.

METHODS

A retrospective case series review was performed on 125 pediatric patients undergoing T&A and subsequent 23-hour postoperative observation at an academic tertiary care center from June-August of 2015. Postoperative pain scores using the FLACC pain scale, the utilization of opioid pain medications, and the number of postoperative contacts for pain were recorded.

RESULTS

Average age of patients was 5.7 years and 50% were female. 90% of T&A's were performed for adenotonsillar hypertrophy. The post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage rate was 4%. 70 (56%) patients required postoperative opioid pain medication, with (30) 43% of these patients requiring more than one dose. The mean number of opioid doses was 1.64 ± 0.9 and was not related to age, weight or gender. FLACC scores were highly associated (spearman correlation 0.77) with the amount of opioid medication given. Mean FLACC scores decreased over time after T&A. 20% of patients contacted a physician for unsatisfactory pain control postoperatively with 6% requiring emergency department visits and 14% contacting the office via phone call.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant portion of pediatric patients undergoing T&A require postoperative opioids for pain control. The FLACC scale is a valuable way of quantifying post-operative T&A pain in pediatric patients. Despite routine pain management postoperatively, a significant proportion of patients require contact with a physician postoperatively for pain management.

Combined Ketamine-Tramadol Subcutaneous Wound Infiltration for Multimodal Postoperative Analgesia: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial after Renal Surgery

Background

Pain is an important consideration after renal surgery. A multimodal approach to postoperative pain management could enhance analgesia by risking fewer side effects after surgery.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the subcutaneous infiltration of ketamine and tramadol at the incision site to reduce postoperative pain.

Methods

Sixty-four patients between 18 and 80 years old who were scheduled for elective renal surgery were enrolled in a double-blind randomized controlled study. At the end of the surgery, patients were divided into four groups with 16 patients in each group: the saline group, who were treated with 10 mL of saline solution; the K group, who were treated with 1 mg/kg etamine in 10 mL of saline solution; the T group, who were treated with 1 mg/kg tramadol in 10 mL of saline solution; and the K/T group, who were treated with 0.5 mg/kg ketamine with 0.5 mg/kg tramadol in 10 mL of saline solution. In each group, the solution was infiltrated subcutaneously at the incision site. The postoperative pain scores and rescue analgesic consumption of the patients in each group were recorded for 24 hours and compared. The primary goal of the study was to compare the results of patients treated with a combined ketamine and tramadol subcutaneous wound infiltration, patients treated with a tramadol subcutaneous wound infiltration, and patients treated with a ketamine subcutaneous wound infiltration.

Results

Sixty-four patients were enrolled in the study. Pain intensity and cumulative meperidine consumption were significantly lower in the K/T group (27 mg; 95% confidence interval, 25.2 - 53.2) in comparison with the group that received a saline infusion during the first 24 hours after surgery (P < 0.001). The sedation score of the K, T, and K/T groups were significantly higher than the saline group (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The combined subcutaneous infiltration of ketamine and tramadol at the incision site produces better analgesia and an opioid-sparing effect during the first 24 hours when compared with the control group and the groups that received a subcutaneous infiltration of only ketamine or tramadol.

Multimodal Analgesia With Ketamine or Tramadol in Combination With Intravenous Paracetamol After Renal Surgery

Background

Opioids are generally the preferred analgesic agents during the early postoperative period.

Objectives

The present study was designed to assess and compare the multimodal analgesic effects of ketamine and tramadol in combination with intravenous acetaminophen after renal surgery.

Patients and Methods

This randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial was conducted on 80 consecutive patients undergoing various types of kidney surgeries in Sina hospital in Tehran in 2014 - 2016. After extubation, the patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenous paracetamol (1 gr) plus tramadol (0.7 mg/kg) (PT group) or paracetamol (1 gr) plus ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) (PK group) within ten minutes. Pain severity was assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS), and the level of agitation was assessed by the Ramsey sedation scale (RSS). Morphine consumption was assessed within the first six hours after drug injection, and hemodynamic parameters were assessed at 5, 10, and 20 minutes after infusion, at the time of transfer from recovery to the ward, and also at one and six hours after transfer to the ward.

Results

Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the PK group than in the PT group during all study time points. The mean dose of morphine needed at recovery in the PK group was lower compared with the PT group (0.47 ± 0.94 mg versus 1.50 ± 1.35 mg/P = 0.001). The level of agitation based on the RSS score was significantly lower in the PK group than in the PT group at 10 and 20 minutes after drug administration. The total postoperative complication rate in the PK group was lower than in the PT group (20% versus 53.3%, P = 0.007). In this regard, catheter bladder discomfort was more frequent in the PT group than in the PK group (43.3% versus 3.3%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The combination of intravenous paracetamol 1 gr and ketamine 0.5 mg/kg resulted in an overall reduction in pain scores, decreased postoperative analgesic requirements, and lower agitation score compared with intravenous paracetamol 1 gr and tramadol 0.7 mg/kg for patients undergoing renal surgery.

The Effect of Administration of Ketamine and Paracetamol Versus Paracetamol Singly on Postoperative Pain, Nausea and Vomiting After Pediatric Adenotonsillectomy

BACKGROUND

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgeries in children and posttonsillectomy pain and agitation management is a great challenge for anesthesiologists.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a single dose of ketamine combined with paracetamol with paracetamol alone in the management of postoperative pain in tonsillectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the subjects were randomly allocated into the two groups: the ketamine and control. Intravenous paracetamol infusion (15 mg/kg) was started 15 minutes before the end of surgery in both groups, continued with the IV injection of ketamine (0.25 mg/kg) in the ketamine group and an equal volume of saline in the control group. Using the children's hospital of eastern Ontario (CHEOPS) pain scale, pain and agitation score and also the incidence of nausea and vomiting after the surgery were recorded in 0.5, 6 and 12 hours after the operation. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 and P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant in all cases.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the two groups considering demographic data (age, sex distribution, weight and height). The CHEOPS pain scales were significantly lower in the ketamine group compared to the control group at 0.5 and 6 hours after the surgery (P = 0.003 and P = 0.023, respectively). There was no significant difference in the CHEOPS scale at 12 hours after the surgery, dose of adjuvant analgesic and the incidence of nausea and vomiting after the surgery between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the results of the current study, postoperative analgesia in children was improved in the ketamine group. Therefore, for better management of posttonsillectomy pain, low-dose ketamine administration with paracetamol is recommended.

Analgesic Efficacy of Nephrostomy Tract inFiltration of Bupivacaine and Ketamine after Tubeless Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Prospective Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Recently, the use of ketamine as a systemic and local analgesic drug in reducing post-operative pain is studied more frequently.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to assess the analgesic efficacy of IV ketamine injection inaddition to nephrostomy tract infiltration of ketamine-bupivacaine on postoperative pain relief after tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients (n = 100), with renal stone who were candidates for PCNL were randomized to five groups with 20 cases in each: Group C, 10 mL of saline solution was infiltrated into the nephrostomy tract; Group B, 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine was infiltrated into the nephrostomy tract; Group BK1, 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine plus 0.5 mg/kg ketamine was infiltrated into the nephrostomy tract; Group BK2, 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine plus 1.5 mg/kg ketamine was infiltrated into the nephrostomy tract; Group K, 10 mL of saline solution containing 0.5 mg/kg ketamine was intravenously administered. Post-operative pain scores were compared between groups as the primary objective. Comparison of Sedation Scores, rescue analgesic consumption, time to the first rescue analgesics administration, hemodynamic and SpO2 values were regarded as the secondary objective.

RESULTS

Mean VAS scores in the first 30 min and total analgesic consumption in the first 24 h of post-operative period were significantly lower in groups BK1 and BK2 in comparison with the other groups (P < 0.05). Also, time to first rescue analgesics administration was longer in the same groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Infiltration of ketamine plus bupivacaine provides superior analgesic effects in PCNL surgery compared with other methods.

Ketamine: Current applications in anesthesia, pain, and critical care

Ketamine was introduced commercially in 1970 with the manufacturer's description as a "rapidly acting, nonbarbiturate general anesthetic" and a suggestion that it would be useful for short procedures. With the help of its old unique pharmacological properties and newly found beneficial clinical properties, ketamine has survived the strong winds of time, and it currently has a wide variety of clinical applications. It's newly found neuroprotective, antiinflammatory and antitumor effects, and the finding of the usefulness of low dose ketamine regimens have helped to widen the clinical application profile of ketamine. The present article attempts to review the current useful applications of ketamine in anesthesia, pain and critical care. It is based on scientific evidence gathered from textbooks, journals, and electronic databases.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2013

This paper is the thirty-sixth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2013 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia; stress and social status; tolerance and dependence; learning and memory; eating and drinking; alcohol and drugs of abuse; sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology; mental illness and mood; seizures and neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity and neurophysiology; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunological responses.

The analgesic efficacy of preoperative oral Ibuprofen and acetaminophen in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy: a randomized clinical trial

Background:

Adenotonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in children. Several complications and morbidities are common after nasal surgeries and the most common is pain. Several techniques have been employed to reduce the severity of postoperative pain. One of the preoperative techniques is pre-emptive analgesia through preventive central hypersensitization. This technique is performed by applying analgesic methods before the onset of nociceptive stimuli, consequently decreasing postoperative analgesics requirements.

Objectives:

Preoperative oral drug administration for pain analgesia is performed in several methods. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of preoperatively administration of oral acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Patients and Methods:

In a double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled study, sixty 4-12 years old ASA I or II children scheduled for elective adenotonsillectomy, were assigned to receive either acetaminophen 15 mg/kg, ibuprofen 10 mg/kg or placebo 30 minutes before the operation. Postoperative pain was assessed using the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS), upon arrival to the post anesthetic care unit (PACU) and ward. Findings were analyzed by SPSS version 17 using variance analysis and Tukey’s test.

Results:

The average pain intensities were significantly lower in acetaminophen group based on the CHEOPS in both PACU and ward compared to ibuprofen or placebo groups; but there was no difference in pain intensity between the ibuprofen and placebo groups. Pain intensity in PACU in Acetaminophen group was 7.05 ± 0.64 vs. 8.38 ± 1.20 in placebo group and 8.14 ± 0.85 in ibuprofen group, pain intensity in ward in the acetaminophen group was 6.0.87 ± 0.85in the acetaminophen group, vs. 8.04 ± 1.02 in placebo group, and 7.78 ± 0.78 in ibuprofen group.

Conclusions:

This study showed that administration of oral acetaminophen 30 minutes preoperatively, resulted in significantly lower pain intensity in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy in PACU and ward, compared to ibuprofen and placebo.

Is fasting duration important in post adenotonsillectomy feeding time?

Background:

Adenotonsillectomy is a common otolaryngology surgery. Nausea and vomiting are the most common complications of this procedure with a prevalence ranging from 49% to 73 %.

Objectives:

Our aim was to evaluate the effects of short time fasting protocol on decreasing postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting, and initiation of oral feeding after adenotonsillectomy.

Patients and Methods:

120 children aged 4 to 14 years candidates for adenotonsillectomy were randomly divided into intervention and control groups (n = 120, 60 in each group). Each patient of the intervention group was given oral dextrose 10% as much volume as he could consume at 3 and 6 hours prior to the operation. All the data including pain severity, nausea and vomiting of the patients, the time of oral feeding initiation etc. were gathered in checklists after the operation. Statistical analyses were then performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16. Descriptive statistical methods and mean difference test for independent groups and chi square test or Fisher exact test, and if regression needed model test were applied. A P value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant.

Results:

The amount of Acetaminophen administered for the intervention group was significantly lower than the control group, and also the time of oral feeding initiation was significantly shorter in the intervention group than the control group (P < 0.005). Pain severity at all occasions following surgery was significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group (P < 0.001). Although frequency of nausea at recovery time was significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group (P < 0.002), there were no significant differences in frequency of nausea between the two groups at other postoperative occasions. Postoperative vomiting frequency was not significant between the two groups at any occasions.

Conclusions:

The findings of this survey showed that shortening the duration of pre-adenotonsillectomy fasting period and hydration of patients several hours prior to the operation might be effective in decreasing postoperative pain and facilitating postoperative oral feeding initiation. Nevertheless this method does not seem to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Effect of intravenous patient controlled ketamine analgesiaon postoperative pain in opium abusers

Background:

Acutepostoperative pain is among the worst experience that patient scan undergo, and many analgesics have been used to suppress it; especially in chronic opium abusers. Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist analgesic, having both anesthetic and analgesic properties, which are not affected to the same extent in chronic opium abusers.

Objectives:

In this study, we assessed the analgesic effects of ketamine added to morphine as a patient-controlled analgesia method for acute pain management, compared with a placebo, inchronic maleopium abusers.

Patients and Methods:

After institutional review board approval for ethical considerations, a randomized double-blinded placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 140 male patients aged 18-65 years, undergoing orthopedic surgery, were entered into the study after matching inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients received the same anesthesia method; while the first group received ketamine (1mg/mL) and morphine (0.5 mg/mL) as a patient-controlled analgesia (70 patients), the second group received morphine (0.5 mg/mL) plus normal saline (70 patients). P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

The ketamine and morphine group of patients experienced less postoperative pain and required less postoperative rescue analgesia. However, the unwanted postoperative side effects were nearly the same; although increased levels of postoperative nausea and vomiting were observed in the ketamine and morphine group

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated improved analgesic effects after using intravenous patient controlled analgesia with ketamine on postoperative pain in opium abusers.

Comparing the duration of the analgesic effects of intravenous and rectal acetaminophen following tonsillectomy in children

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pain control (especially, after adenotonsillectomy) has a very important effect on recovery time, hospitalization duration, hemodynamic disorders, bleeding, nausea, vomiting and medical costs.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of intravenous and rectal acetaminophen on controlling post-adenotonsillectomy pain in children, and duration of their analgesic effects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this randomized double-blinded clinical trial, 96 children aged 4 - 10 years old with ASA physical status I or II who were candidates for adenotonsillectomy surgery in Amir-al-Momenin Hospital, Rasht, Iran were entered into the study and randomly divided into two equal groups. Anesthesia in both groups was induced injecting fentanyl-thiopental and at racurium; afterwards is of lurane was used to maintain anesthesia. After anesthesia induction, one group received intravenous and the other one, rectal acetaminophen, and were later compared based on CHIPPS criteria.

RESULTS

Data analysis indicated a significant relationship between reduction of postoperative pain and the use of intravenous or rectal acetaminophen (P = 0.0001); in group receiving IV acetaminophen, only 10.4% of patients had no pain whereas in group receiving rectal acetaminophen, this number reached 43.8%. Also, on 4 and 6 hour time intervals, pain in rectal acetaminophen receiving group was less than that in IV acetaminophen receiving group (P < 0.05). Demand for additional analgesic medication in rectal acetaminophen receiving group was less than that in IV group (P = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Post-operative pain in rectal acetaminophen group was less than that in intravenous acetaminophen group, and rectal acetaminophen group demanded their first additional analgesic medication later.

Effects of preoperative use of oral dextromethorphan on postoperative need for analgesics in patients with knee arthroscopy

Background

Studies have shown that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMIDA) plays an essential role in postoperative pain. It seems that use of NMDA receptor antagonists such as Dextromethorphan intensifies the analgesic effects of opioids.

Objectives

In this study, we evaluated the effect of preoperative administration of Dextromethorphan on postoperative pain reduction.

Patients and Methods

This double blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on arthroscopic surgery candidates. Participants were randomly allocated to interventions and assigned to two groups of Dextromethorphan and placebo. In Dextromethorphan group, the patients received 1 mg/kg Dextromethorphan orally the night before the operation. Pain severity based on the visual analog scale (VAS) up to 16 hours postoperation, use of opioids, and the first request for analgesics were recorded postoperatively.

Results

A total of 112 patients in the Dextromethorphan (n = 54) and placebo groups (n = 58) were evaluated. No significant difference was detected between the two groups for age, sex or ASA. The mean amount of opioid consumption was significantly lower in patients who received Dextromethorphan (10.7 ± 5.6 mg) compared to the placebo group (13.1 ± 5.6 mg), (P = 0.03). The mean time until the first opioid request in patients who received Dextromethorphan was longer than that in the placebo group (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

The study results demonstrated that preemptive use of Dextromethorphan reduced postoperative pain and opioid consumption.

Effects of adding ketamine to fentanyl plus acetaminophen on postoperative pain by patient controlled analgesia in abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pain is one of the most important complications encountered after surgery. A number of options are available for treating pain following surgery. One of those options is the use of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Ketamine is an anesthetic drug relieving pain with its NMDA receptor antagonistic effect.

OBJECTIVES

This study is aiming at better pain management after abdominal surgery; the effects of adding ketamine to intravenous fentanyl plus acetaminophen PCA were evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a double-blind randomized clinical trial 100 patients, ASA I or II, 20 - 60 years old were divided into two groups. These patients were abdominal surgery candidates. In order to control postoperative pain in the control group an IV patient-control analgesia (PCA) containing fentanyl 10 μg/mL plus acetaminophen 10 mg/mL was instructed to be used for the patients, but the patients in ketamine group received ketamine 0.5 mg/mL plus control group PCA content. During the first 48 hours after surgery, ketamine patients were evaluated every 8 hours (at rest, while moving and coughing) to determine their pain scores using VAS scale, sedation score, additional analgesics, nausea and vomiting.

RESULTS

There were no significant demographic differences between two groups. Pain scores (at rest, while moving and coughing) during the first 48 hours were not significantly different between two groups (P values = 0.361, 0.367 and 0.204, respectively). Nausea scores were significantly lower in the ketamine group (P = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of ketamine to intravenous fentanyl plus acetaminophen PCA had not extra effects in relieving post abdominal surgery pain.

Conscious Sedation and Analgesia in Colonoscopy: Ketamine/Propofol Combination has Superior Patient Satisfaction Versus Fentanyl/Propofol

Background

Colonoscopy is performed without preparing sedation in many countries. However, according to the current literature patients are more satisfied when appropriate sedation is prepared for them.

Objectives

We hypothesize that propofol-ketamine may prepare more patient satisfaction compared to propofol-fentanyl combination.

Patients and Methods

Sixty adult patients older than 18 with ASA physical status of I, II or III were enrolled in the present study after providing the informed consent. They were prospectively randomized into two equal groups: 1- Group PF: was scheduled to receive IV bolus dose of fentanyl 1µg/kg and propofol 0.5mg/kg. 2- Group PK: was scheduled to receive IV bolus dose of ketamine 0.5mg/kg and propofol 0.5mg/kg. As a primary goal, patient’s satisfaction was assessed by the use a Likert five-item scoring system in the recovery. Comparisons of hemodynamic parameters (mean heart rate, mean systolic blood pressure, mean diastolic blood pressure), mean Spo2 values during the procedure and side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and psychological reactions during the recovery period were our secondary goals. Level of sedation during the colonoscopy was assessed with the Observer’s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation score (OAA/S).

Results

Mean satisfaction scores in the group PK were significantly higher than the group PF (P = 0.005) while the level of sedation during the procedure was similar (P = 0.17). Hemodynamic parameters and SpO2 values were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Incidence of nausea and vomiting was the same in both groups.

Conclusions

IV bolus injection of propofol-ketamine can lead to more patients’ satisfaction than the other protocols during colonoscopy.

Intravenous paracetamol for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Although opioids are the main choice for acute postoperative pain control, many side effects have been reported for them. NSAIDs and paracetamol have been used extensively as alternatives, and it seems that they are more effective for minor to moderate pain control postoperatively when have been used alone or in combination with opioids. As laparoscopic cholecystectomy poses moderate pain postoperatively, this study was planned to assess whether paracetamol is able to provide effective analgesia as a sole analgesic at least in the first few hours post operatively.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the effect of intravenous Paracetamol on postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a randomized double- blind clinical trial study. 30 patients ASA class I, aged 18 to 50 years, candidate for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were recruited, and randomly divided into two equal groups. Group A (paracetamol group) received 1 gr paracetamol and group B received placebo ten minutes after the induction of anesthesia. 0.1 mg/Kg Morphine was administered intravenously based on patients compliant and pain score >3. Pain score and the opioids consumption were recorded in the first six hours postoperative. Patient's pain was measured by the VAS (Visual Analog Scale).

RESULTS

The pain score was lower in group A (P= 0.01), but the morphine consumption showed no significant difference between the groups (P= 0.24) during the first 6 hours postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although paracetamol (1gr) has caused a better pain relief quality but it is not a suitable analgesic for moderate pain control in acute phase after surgery alone.

Post tonsillectomy pain: can honey reduce the analgesic requirements?

Background

Tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide, especially for children. Oral honey administration following tonsillectomy in pediatric cases may reduce the need for analgesics via relieving postoperative pain.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of honey on the incidence and severity of postoperative pain in patients undergoing tonsillectomy.

Patients and Methods

A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study was performed. One hundred and four patients, who were older than eight, and were scheduled for tonsillectomy, were divided into two equal groups, honey and placebo. Standardized general anesthesia, and postoperative usual analgesic, and antibiotic regimen were administrated for all patients. Acetaminophen plus honey for the honey group, and acetaminophen plus placebo for the placebo group were given daily. They began to receive honey or placebo when the patients established oral intake.

Results

The difference between acetaminophen and acetaminophen plus honey groups was statistically significant both for visual analogue scale (VAS), and number of painkillers taken within the first three postoperative days. The consumption of painkillers differed significantly in every five postoperative days. No significant difference was found between groups regarding the number of awaking at night.

Conclusions

Postoperative honey administration reduces postoperative pain and analgesic requirements in patients after tonsillectomy. As the side effects of honey appear to be negligible, consideration of its routine usage seems to be beneficial along with routine analgesics.