Articles: pain-management.
-
Adjuvant analgesics are drugs that are not primarily used as analgesics but can produce analgesia in certain types of pain. Adjuvant analgesics can be administered together with non-opioid and opioid analgesics on each step of the WHO analgesic ladder. They should be given when an additional or specific indication exists, but should not be used as a substitute for a thorough treatment with opioids and nonopioids. ⋯ Biphosphonates (etidronate, clodronate, pamidronate derivates) also produce analgesic effects in patients with bone metastases. However, differences among the various compounds have not been clearly evaluated yet. Potent and specific radioisotopes are still under development and the use of calcitonin in bone pain is considered controversial.
-
In this case report, we describe continuous subcutaneous infusion of opiates as PCAO (patient controlled analgesia in outpatients) in one patient with metastatic carcinoma of the rectum (liver and bone metastases, partial bowel obstruction) with severe cancer pain and vomiting in the terminal phase. The parenteral administration of opioids extended over 58 days. The infusion was powered by an external portable clockwork-driven syringe pump (Perfusor M, Braun Medical/Germany). ⋯ When he received outpatient radiation therapy the patient needed extra injection doses of up to 360 mg morphine a day. The PCAO procedure by continuous subcutaneous infusion with opiates is a safe and efficient method of pain management for outpatient patients suffering from severe cancer pain and intractable nausea in the terminal phase. Its validity has also been proven especially for radiation treatment of bone metastases.
-
Pain relief for the cancer patient in the hospice setting is almost always achievable. Cancer pain is caused by tumor growth and by psychosocial and spiritual factors. Opioid drugs are the mainstay of effective treatment. ⋯ Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and adjuvant analgesics are synergistic with opioids in providing analgesia and allow lower opioid doses and fewer side effects. Ten to 15 percent of hospice patients will require regional anesthesia for pain relief. The hospice team of physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, aides, and volunteers is more effective than any single health care provider in achieving optimal pain relief and comfort.
-
patient-controlled analgesia PCA is a rapidly spreading approach to the management of post-operative pain. The suitability of this method for the morbidly obese patient undergoing bariatric surgery has not yet been determined. ⋯ use of PCA in patients undergoing bariatric surgery has obvious advantages and appears to be a safe procedure.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 1995
Meta AnalysisNeurolytic celiac plexus block for treatment of cancer pain: a meta-analysis.
We performed a meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) for cancer pain. A literature search yielded 59 papers, but data on NCPB in two or more patients was available in only 24 papers. Twenty-one studies were retrospective, one was prospective, and two were randomized and controlled. ⋯ Patients with pancreatic cancer responded similarly to those with other intraabdominal malignancies. Common adverse effects were transient, including local pain (96%), diarrhea (44%), and hypotension (38%); complications occurred in 2%. This analysis suggests that: 1) NCPB has long-lasting benefit for 70%-90% of patients with pancreatic and other intraabdominal cancers, regardless of the technique used; 2) adverse effects are common but transient and mild; and 3) severe adverse effects are uncommon.