Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The efficacy of levobupivacaine, ropivacaine, and bupivacaine for combined psoas compartment-sciatic nerve block in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.
The aim of our study was to compare postoperative analgesic efficacy, and the extent of sensory and motor blockade of levobupivacaine, ropivacaine, and bupivacaine administered in a combined psoas compartment-sciatic nerve block (PCSNB) for total hip arthroplasty. ⋯ Levobupivacaine, bupivacaine and ropivacaine are equally effective for PCSNB in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Residual pain may be due to the lack of sensory block in dermatome L1, suggesting that modification of this technique should be considered for this type of surgery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A randomized double-blind comparison of a morphine-fentanyl combination vs. morphine alone for patient-controlled analgesia following bowel surgery.
An ideal patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) opioid would have both a rapid onset and a long duration of action, attributes, which are not available in currently existing opioids including morphine, the most widely used agent. A mixture of rapid onset and long-acting opioids may potentially achieve both these qualities. In a randomized, double-blind study, we compared a fentanyl-morphine combination with morphine alone for PCA, in 54 patients undergoing bowel surgery. ⋯ Groups were well matched for age, weight, and sex. There were no significant differences between groups in time to effect, PCA usage, pain scores or side effects other than the occurrence of nausea, which was lower for the combination group in 1 visit. Further studies are needed to explore the potential of different potency ratios and opioid combinations to achieve rapid and long-lasting pain control.