Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialNitrous oxide/oxygen compared with fentanyl in reducing pain among adults with isolated extremity trauma: a randomized trial.
To compare the effectiveness of nitrous oxide/oxygen (N(2)O/O(2)) and fentanyl in relieving pain among patients with an isolated long bone fracture or main joint dislocation of the limbs. ⋯ Neither nitrous oxide/oxygen or fentanyl appeared to be superior to the other in relieving moderate to severe pain among emergency patients presenting with isolated limb fracture or dislocation. In an ED, increased use of nitrous oxide might reduce the overall need for opiate analgesia, and in our setting, the need for constant monitoring.