Articles: postoperative-pain.
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Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. · Jan 1982
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe use of pain scales in assessing the efficacy of analgesics in post-operative dental pain.
Two 10 cm visual analogue scales were compared with a 0-10 point numerical rating scale and a four-point verbal descriptive scale, in assessing pain severity in twelve patients with post-operative pain following removal of an impacted lower third molar. High correlations were shown between the pain scores from the two visual analogue scales and the numerical scale, but a lower correlation was obtained when the four-point scale was compared with the other scales. Analgesic efficacy was found to be dependent on the type of scale used. The 10 cm visual analogue scale was more sensitive than other pain scales and could discriminate between small changes in pain intensity.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Dec 1981
Comparative StudyExtradural diamorphine in the control of pain following lumbar laminectomy.
Catheters were inserted into the extradural space under direct vision at the time of surgery for prolapsed intervertebral disc or lumbar canal stenosis. In the post-operative period, diamorphine (3 mg in 5 ml water) was injected through the catheter when patients requested analgesia. In only four of 49 patients was significant pain relief not achieved after extradural diamorphine injection. ⋯ As judged by the improved mobility and by grading on a linear analogue pain scale, the quality of analgesia achieved was better than after intramuscular papaveretum (10-20 mg) and extradural diamorphine was requested less frequently. There were no serious side-effects in the patients studied, although the technique was not used in patients over 55 years of age. Extradural diamorphine appeared to be less effective in two patients who had undergone re-explorations.
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The effectiveness of methadone given postoperatively by the lumbar epidural route to patients following upper abdominal or thoracic surgery was assessed. Intermittent injections of methadone diluted in large volumes of normal saline were given during the first 48 hours after surgery. Pain relief was assessed by both the patient and an observer using a visual linear analogue scoring system. Methadone 4-5 mg in 18-20 ml normal provided good postoperative pain relief for 6-8 hours.
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Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) · Oct 1981
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialImproved pain relief after thoracotomy: use of cryoprobe and morphine infusion.
In a randomised controlled trial carried out during the first to days after thoracotomy patients who had had intercostal nerves frozen with a cryoprobe or were given morphine by continuous intravenous infusion had significant less pain at rest than patients given intramuscular morphine. Differences between the groups with respect to pain on movement and during physiotherapy were not significant. ⋯ The trial did not distinguish between the cryoprobe and infusion treatment. The simplicity of the cryoprobe had much to commend it, but in units without access to this equipment a small infusion pump offers a satisfactory alternative.