Acta neurochirurgica
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jan 2011
Clinical TrialEvaluation of efficacy and safety of fentanyl transdermal patch (Durogesic D-TRANS) in chronic pain.
Opioids are used in controlling several types of pain. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the fentanyl transdermal patch-type system (Durogesic® D-TRANS). ⋯ This prospective study shows that the fentanyl patch is effective in alleviating moderate to severe chronic noncancer pain including neuropathic pain down to mild pain. Therefore, the fentanyl patch should be considered before other invasive intervention procedures in chronic moderate to severe noncancer pain.
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Acta neurochirurgica · Jan 2011
Pain and brachial plexus lesions: evaluation of initial outcomes after reconstructive microsurgery and validation of a new pain severity scale.
Peripheral nerve lesions usually are associated with neuropathic pain. In the present paper, we describe a simple scale to quantify pain after brachial plexus injuries and apply this scale to a series of patients to determine initial outcomes after reconstructive surgery. ⋯ We have designed and tested a simple and reliable method by which to quantify neuropathic pain after traumatic brachial plexus injuries. Initial surgical treatment of the paralysis--including nerve, trunk and root reconstruction, and neurolysis--comprises an effective means by which to initially treat neuropathic pain. Ablative or neuromodulative procedures, like dorsal root entry zone, should be reserved for refractory cases.