Articles: postoperative-pain.
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Physicians have in their armamentaria of drugs and techniques sufficient methods of relieving postoperative pain to maintain an analgesic state in postsurgical patients. The extent of the problem, and the options available, are discussed and described.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Jan 1989
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialSubcutaneous ketamine analgesia: postoperative analgesia using subcutaneous infusions of ketamine and morphine.
A series consisting of 32 women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy received a standard narcotic-free anaesthetic. For the first 24 h postoperatively, eight were given the standard regimen of intramuscular morphine sulphate whilst the other three groups received continuous subcutaneous infusions of either morphine sulphate, ketamine hydrochloride or the two drugs combined. The amount of time they were pain free, the incidence of sleep and nausea, together with cardiovascular and respiratory changes were recorded. ⋯ No patient reported psychomimetic side effects, but ketamine on its own produced feelings of malaise in three patients on the second postoperative day. Subcutaneous infusions provide better postoperative analgesia than intermittent intramuscular morphine. Ketamine on its own cannot be advocated, but combined with morphine it allows a single infusion rate to be used for all patients, decreasing the need for nursing and medical involvement.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Comparison of ketamine and pethidine in experimental and postoperative pain.
The analgesic efficiency of ketamine and pethidine was compared in experimental ischemic pain and postoperative pain after oral surgery. Naloxone 1.6 mg or placebo was given 5 min before the analgesic drug. ⋯ Naloxone prevented the analgesic effect of pethidine, but had no effect on ketamine analgesia. The results are in accordance with the hypothesis that the analgesic effect of ketamine is mediated by a non-opioid mechanism, possibly involving PCP-receptor-mediated blockade of the NMDA-receptor-operated ion channel.
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Review Clinical Trial
Assessment and management of postoperative pain in children.
This paper focuses on the knowledge base about the assessment and management of postoperative pain in children. The first section deals with the nature and characteristics of postoperative pain. A description of current pain management practices with children, focusing on analgesic administration, is derived from available research literature. ⋯ Recent advances in pain assessment and measurement in all age groups, particularly with verbal children and the new self-report measures, are discussed. The latest developments in pharmacological and nonpharmacological techniques for the relief of children's postoperative pain are also described. Finally, the paper concludes with a few suggestions for pediatricians relative to their role in assisting in the search for better assessment and management techniques in the care of postoperative children.
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Gastrointestinal motility is normally inhibited for 2-3 days after abdominal surgery. The methods used for postoperative pain relief may themselves also influence gastrointestinal function. ⋯ Clinical studies show that epidural anesthesia does not delay gastric emptying or prolong intestinal transit time as much as parenteral and epidural opioids. Therefore, for postoperative pain relief after abdominal surgery, epidural anesthesia with local anesthetics seems the best alternative to avoid or minimize adverse effects on gastric emptying and intestinal motility.