Analgesic effect and safety of using an epidural analgesia pump versus an intravenous analgesia pump for uterine artery embolization in the treatment of uterine fibroids / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the analgesic effect and safety of using an epidural analgesia pump versus an intravenous analgesia pump for uterine artery embolization in the treatment of uterine fibroids. Methods:Fifty patients with uterine fibroids undergoing uterine artery embolization admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2019 to December 2021 were included in this study. They were divided into an observation group and a control group ( n = 25/group). Patients in the observation group used an epidural analgesia pump for pain relief, while patients in the control group used an intravenous analgesia pump for pain relief. At 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery, pain severity was compared between the two groups using the Visual Analogue Scale. Comfort level was compared between the two groups using the Bruggemann Comfort scale. Before and after surgery, respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results:At 1 hour after surgery, the Visual Analogue Scale score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group [3.00 (2.00, 5.50) vs. 7.00 (6.00, 8.00), Z = -3.84, P < 0.05]. At 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery, there was a significant difference in the Visual Analogue Scale score between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Within 24 hours after surgery, the use of opioid analgesics in the observation group was less than that in the control group [16.00% (4/25) vs. 88.00% (22/25), χ2 = 25.96, P < 0.001]. At 1 hour after surgery, the Bruggemann Comfort Scale score in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [0.00 (0.00, 0.50) vs. 0.00 (0.00, 0.00), Z = 2.08, P < 0.05]. At 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery, there was no significant difference in the Bruggemann Comfort Scale score between the two groups (all P > 0.05). After surgery, heart rate was significantly decreased in each group compared with before surgery (both P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in respiratory rate and mean arterial pressure between the two groups before and after surgery (both P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidences of postoperative nausea, vomiting, and fever between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusion:The epidural analgesia pump used for uterine artery embolization in the treatment of uterine fibroids has a better analgesic effect and provides more comfort and is safer than the intravenous analgesia pump. The former is worthy of clinical promotion.

Risk of opioid abuse in non-oncologic chronic pain outpatient clinic / Risco de abuso de opioides em ambulatório de dor crônica não oncológica

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic pain has become an extremely prevalent disease and an ever more recurrent reason for seeking medical attention. It has been treated with opioids, opening the possibility for abuse. This study's objective was to analyze the risk profile for opioid abuse in chronic pain outpatients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 72 patients seen in an outpatient clinic of a public hospital in the period of July and August 2019. The variables analyzed were age, gender, comorbidities, drugs in use, and aspects related to pain such as intensity, anatomical location, etiology, and need to be absent from work. In addition, a questionnaire was applied to assess the risk of opioid abuse. RESULTS: The study analyzed 72 patients with chronic pain, most of whom were women (84.7%). The mean age was 52.8 years. Patients were classified into three groups according to the risk of opioid abuse: high (21%), moderate (29%) and low (50%). There was an association of increased risk with opioid use (p=0.004) and presence of depression (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Half of the patients presented low risk for opioid abuse. Increased risk for opioid abuse is related to the presence of depression or depressive symptoms. No relationship was observed between benzodiazepines use and increased risk for opioid abuse. Patients considered at high risk for opioid abuse are more likely to develop aberrant behaviors. Knowing the patient's risk profile is necessary to increase the safety and effectiveness of chronic pain treatment.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor crônica tem se tornado uma doença extremamente prevalente e um motivo cada vez mais recorrente para procura de atendimento médico. Tem sido tratada com opioides possibilitando o abuso de seu uso. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o perfil de risco para abuso de opioides em pacientes ambulatoriais com dor crônica. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 72 pacientes atendidos em ambulatório de um hospital público no período de julho e agosto de 2019. As variáveis analisadas foram idade, sexo, comorbidades, fármacos em uso e aspectos relacionados à dor como intensidade, localização anatômica, etiologia e necessidade de se afastar do trabalho. Além disso, foi aplicado um questionário para avaliar o risco de abuso de opioides. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 72 pacientes com dor crônica, sendo a maioria mulheres (84,7%). A média de idade foi de 52,8 anos. Os pacientes foram classificados em três grupos conforme o risco de abuso de opioides: alto (21%), moderado (29%) e baixo (50%). Houve associação do aumento do risco com o uso de opioides (p=0,004) e com a presença de depressão (p=0,003). CONCLUSÃO: Metade dos pacientes apresentou baixo risco para abuso de opioides. O aumento do risco de abuso de opioides está relacionado à presença de depressão ou sintomas depressivos. Não foi observada relação entre o uso de benzodiazepínico e o aumento no risco de abuso para opioides. Pacientes considerados de alto risco para abuso de opioides têm mais chances de desenvolverem comportamentos aberrantes. É preciso conhecer o perfil de risco do paciente para aumentar a segurança e eficácia do tratamento da dor crônica.

Opioid Treatment and Excessive Alcohol Consumption Are Associated With Esophagogastric Junction Disorders

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The influence of external factors such as opioids and alcohol has been extensively investigated for various segments of the gastrointestinal tract. However, the association between their use and the development of esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction disorders (EGJOODs) is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze prevalence and clinical relevance of opioids and alcohol intake in patients with EGJOODs. METHODS: In this single-center, retrospective study, we reviewed clinical and pharmacological data of 375 consecutive patients who had undergone high resolution impedance manometry for EGJOODs. EGJOODs were classified according to the Chicago classification version 3.0 and to recently published normal values for test meals. Demographics, manometric data, and symptoms were compared between different groups using Pearson's chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and multivariate analysis. A P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: EGJOOD was found in 30.7% (115/375) of all analyzed patients. The prevalence of opioids (14.8% vs 4.2%, P = 0.026) was significantly higher in patients with EGJOODs compared to patients without EGJOODs. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption (12.2% vs 3.5%, P = 0.011) was associated with EGJOODs. Excessive alcohol consumption was especially frequent in the non-achalasia esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction subgroup (16.2%) and opioid use in the achalasia type III subgroup (20.0%). CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant association between EGJOODs and opioid as well as excessive alcohol consumption. This underlines the importance of detailed history taking regarding medication and ethanol consumption in patients with dysphagia. Further prospective studies on mechanisms undelaying esophagogastric junction dysfunction due to opioids or alcohol are warranted.

Fluoroscopic Characterization of Colonic Dysmotility Associated to Opioid and Cannabinoid Agonists in Conscious Rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastrointestinal adverse effects have a major impact on health and quality of life in analgesics users. Non-invasive methods to study gastrointestinal motility are of high interest. Fluoroscopy has been previously used to study gastrointestinal motility in small experimental animals, but they were generally anesthetized and anesthesia itself may alter motility. In this study, our aim is to determine, in conscious rats, the effect of increasing doses of 2 opioid (morphine and loperamide) and 1 cannabinoid (WIN 55,212-2) agonists on colonic motility using fluoroscopic recordings and spatio-temporal maps. METHODS: Male Wistar rats received barium sulfate intragastrically, 20–22 hours before fluoroscopy, so that stained fecal pellets could be seen at the time of recording. Animals received an intraperitoneal administration of morphine, loperamide, or WIN 55,212-2 (at 0.1, 1, 5, or 10 mg/kg) or their corresponding vehicles (saline, Cremophor, and Tocrisolve, respectively), 30 minutes before fluoroscopy. Rats were conscious and placed within movement-restrainers for the length of fluoroscopic recordings (120 seconds). Spatio-temporal maps were built, and different parameters were analyzed from the fluoroscopic recordings in a blinded fashion to evaluate colonic propulsion of endogenous fecal pellets. RESULTS: The analgesic drugs inhibited propulsion of endogenous fecal pellets in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Fluoroscopy allows studying colonic propulsion of endogenous fecal pellets in conscious rats. Our method may be applied to the noninvasive study of the effect of different drug treatments and pathologies.

Recurrent Desaturation Events due to Opioid-Induced Chest Wall Rigidity after Low Dose Fentanyl Administration / 대한구급학회지

Opioid-induced chest wall rigidity is an uncommon complication of opioids. Because of this, it is often difficult to make a differential diagnosis in a mechanically ventilated patient who experiences increased airway pressure and difficulty with ventilation. A 76-year-old female patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery for periprosthetic fracture of the femur neck. On completion of the surgery, airway pressure was increased, and oxygen saturation fell below 95% after a bolus dose of fentanyl. After ICU admission, the same event recurred. Manual ventilation was immediately started, and a muscle relaxant relieved the symptoms. There was no sign or symptom suggesting airway obstruction or asthma on physical examination. Early recognition and treatment should be made in a mechanically ventilated patient experiencing increased airway pressure in order to prevent further deterioration.

Recurrent Desaturation Events due to Opioid-Induced Chest Wall Rigidity after Low Dose Fentanyl Administration / 대한중환자의학회지

Opioid-induced chest wall rigidity is an uncommon complication of opioids. Because of this, it is often difficult to make a differential diagnosis in a mechanically ventilated patient who experiences increased airway pressure and difficulty with ventilation. A 76-year-old female patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery for periprosthetic fracture of the femur neck. On completion of the surgery, airway pressure was increased, and oxygen saturation fell below 95% after a bolus dose of fentanyl. After ICU admission, the same event recurred. Manual ventilation was immediately started, and a muscle relaxant relieved the symptoms. There was no sign or symptom suggesting airway obstruction or asthma on physical examination. Early recognition and treatment should be made in a mechanically ventilated patient experiencing increased airway pressure in order to prevent further deterioration.

A survey of cancer pain management among hospitalized elderly patients / 中华全科医师杂志

To explore the status of cancer pain management among hospitalized elderly patients.Pain intensity,use of analgesic drugs and incidence of adverse reactions were surveyed for 620 cancer pain patients.And 218 of them were aged over 65 years.The proportions of mild,moderate and severe pain were 29.8％,36.2％ and 34.0％ respectively.And the corresponding rates in young and middle-aged patients were 28.4％,34.8％ and 36.8％ respectively (P ＞ 0.05).In elders with cancer pain,28％ used no analgesic.For severe pain patients,only 71.6％ received potent opioids and 5.4％ nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.And the corresponding rates in young and middle-aged patients were 26.1％,73.0％ and 4.7％ respectively (P ＞ 0.05).The rates of constipation,dysuria and delirium in elderly patient group were higher than young and middle-aged patient group (P ＜ 0.05).Pain management is unsatisfactory and rational uses of analgesic drugs should be strengthened for preventing the relevant adverse reactions.

Opioides e o sistema imunológico: relevância clínica / Opioids and the immune system: clinical relevance / Los opioides y el sistema inmunológico: relevancia clínica

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVO: O crescente uso de opioides para o tratamento da dor é uma realidade em vários países. Com o aumento do uso aparecem questionamentos menos usuais, como a influência dos opioides nas respostas imunológicas. O presente estudo tem como objetivo detalhar a resposta imunológica explorando as influências dos efeitos dos opioides sobre a resposta inflamatória em situações experimentais e clínicas, bem como sua importância para a prática diária. CONTEÚDO: Após revisão de artigos publicados em revistas indexadas no Medline, foi descrita a resposta imunológica de forma geral, especialmente em seu aspecto celular. Após essa abordagem, foram identificados os mecanismos de liberação dos opioides endógenos e a modulação da resposta imune aos opioides exógenos na dor aguda e crônica, sempre finalizando com as implicações clínicas e sua aplicabilidade na rotina de atendimento. CONCLUSÕES: Embora vários estudos apontem para um efeito imunodepressor dos opioides, a relevância clínica dessas observações continua incerta e serve apenas como um prerrequisito para que novas investigações nessa área sejam conduzidas. Recomendações definitivas para a aplicação de opioides, nas mais variadas situações da prática clínica em relação às consequências imunológicas desses fármacos, ainda não podem ser dadas até o momento presente.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The increasing use of opioids for pain treatment is a reality in several countries and, therefore, unusual questions arise, such as the influence of opioids on immune responses. The present study aims to detail the immune response by exploring the influences of opiate effects on inflammatory response in experimental and clinical situations, as well as its importance in daily practice. CONTENT: After reviewing the articles published in journals indexed in Medline, we found that immune response has been generally described, especially regarding its cellular aspect. Following this approach, we identified the mechanisms of endogenous opioid release, modulation of immune response to exogenous opioids in acute and chronic pain, always ending with the clinical implications and applicability in routine care. CONCLUSIONS: Although several studies point to an immunosuppressive effect of opioids, the clinical relevance of these observations remains uncertain and only serves as a prerequisite for further investigations in this area. Definitive recommendations for the use of opioids in various situations of clinical practice regarding the immunological consequences of these drugs still cannot be provided until the present moment.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: El creciente uso de opioides para el tratamiento del dolor es una realidad en varios países. Con el incremento de su uso van surgiendo cuestionamientos menos comunes, como la influencia de los opioides en las respuestas inmunológicas. El presente estudio tiene el objetivo de detallar la respuesta inmunológica explorando las influencias de los efectos de los opioides sobre la respuesta inflamatoria en situaciones experimentales y clínicas, como también su importancia para la práctica diaria. CONTENIDO: Después de la revisión de los artículos publicados en revistas indexadas en el Medline, se describió la respuesta inmunológica de forma general, especialmente en su aspecto celular. Después de ese abordaje, se identificaron los mecanismos de liberación de los opioides endógenos y la modulación de la respuesta inmune a los opioides exógenos en el dolor agudo y crónico, siempre finalizando con las implicaciones clínicas y con su aplicabilidad en la rutina de atención. CONCLUSIONES: Aunque varios estudios nos indiquen un efecto inmunodepresor de los opioides, la relevancia clínica de esas observaciones continúa sin conocerse por completo y solo sirve como un prerrequisito para que nuevas investigaciones en esa área puedan llegar a buen puerto. Las recomendaciones definitivas para la aplicación de los opioides en las más variadas situaciones de la práctica clínica con relación a las consecuencias inmunológicas de esos fármacos, todavía no han salido a la luz.

Effect of propofol combined with different opioids on sedation during colonoscopy in the elderly / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of fentanyl, sufentanil or remifentanil combined with target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol for sedation in the elderly undergoing colonoscopy. Methods In this prospective randomized study, 60 patients undergoing colonoscopy and propofol TCI were randomly assigned to group F (fentanyl), group S (sufentanil) and group R (remifentanil)(each n=20). Patients in group F received a single bolus of fentanyl, while those in group S and group R received TCI sufentanil and remifentanil separately. The blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen content and Bispectral index (BIS) were monitored, and all the complications were recorded. Results All patients were adequately sedated. There were no significant differences in general conditions, hemodynamics changes, sedation depth and adverse event among the three groups (all P＞0.05). Time for recovery was longer in group F [(21.3±4.6) min] than in group S [(19.9±3.3) min] and group R [(15.9±1.8) min, P＜0.05]. Conclusions For the elderly undergoing colonoscopy, sedation with fentanyl, sufentanil or remifentanil combined with propofol TCI is feasible and safe. It is more excellent for the remifentanil group at shorter discharge time.

Eficácia analgésica do uso de dose alta de morfina intra-articular em pacientes submetidos à artroplastia total de joelho / Analgesic efficacy of the intra-articular administration of high Doses of morphine in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty / Eficacia analgésica del uso de dosis alta de morfina intra-articular en pacientes sometidos a la artroplastia total de rodilla

Justificativa e objetivos: Apesar da eficácia da morfina intraarticular (IA) permanecer controversa, tem-se mostrado que doses maiores promovem melhores resultados e, consequentemente, menor consumo pós-operatório de analgésico, caracterizando, assim, efeito dose-dependente na ação periférica. Foi conduzido estudo controlado, aleatório e duplamente encoberto para avaliar a eficácia de 10 mg de morfina por via intra-articular em pacientes submetidos à artroplastia total de joelho. Método: Foram avaliados 50 pacientes submetidos à artroplastia total de joelho, distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: o grupotratamento recebeu 10 mg (1 mL) de morfina por via intra-articular diluído em 19 mL de solução fisiológica a 0,9 por cento (SF), enquanto o grupo-controle recebeu injeção intra-articular contendo 20 mL de SF, ambos após o fechamento da cápsula articular, ao final da operação. Morfina subcutânea sob demanda esteve disponível para dor residual. As seguintes variáveis foram avaliadas: intensidade da dor graduada na Escala Numérica (EN) às 2 h (M1), 6 h (M2), 12 h (M3) e 24 h (M4) após injeção IA; tempo para primeira solicitação de analgésico; consumo de analgésicos e efeitos adversos. Conclusões: O grupo-tratamento apresentou menores valores na EN que o grupo-controle em M1 e M2, enquanto que nos outros momentos não houve diferença significativa. O intervalo para primeira solicitação de analgésicos foi significativamente maior no grupo tratamento e o consumo de analgésicos nas primeiras 24 horas foi menor neste grupo. Não houve diferença entre incidência de efeitos adversos entre os grupos. Concluiu-se que 10 mg de morfina reduziram dor pós-operatória 2 e 6 horas após injeção IA, promoveram maior período sem analgésico de resgate e reduziram seu consumo nas primeiras 24 horas.

Background and objectives: Although the efficacy of intraarticular (IA) morphine is still controversial, it has been shown that higher doses promote better results and consequently decrease postoperative analgesic consumption, characterizing a dose-dependent peripheral action. A controlled, randomized, double-blind study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of the intra-articular administration of 10 mg of morphine in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Methods: Fifty patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group received 10 mg (1 mL) of intra-articular morphine diluted in 19 mL of NS, while the control group received the intra-articular administration of 20 mL of NS, both after closure of the capsule at the end of the surgery. On demand subcutaneous morphine was available for residual pain. The following parameters were evaluated: pain severity according to the numeric scale (NS), 2 h (M1), 6 h (M2), 12 h (M3), and 24 h (M4) after the IA injection; time until the first request of analgesic; analgesic consumption, and side effects. Conclusions: The treatment group had lower NS than the control group in M1 and M2, while significant differences were not observed in the other moments. The time until the first request of analgesics was significantly higher in the treatment group, and analgesic consumption in the first 24 hours was also lower in this group. The incidence of side effects did not differ between both groups. We concluded that the postoperative IA administration of 10 mg of morphine promoted a longer period without rescue analgesics and reduced their consumption in the first 24 hours.

Justificativa y objetivos: A pesar de que la eficacia de la morfina intra-articular (IA), permanece como algo controvertido, ha quedado demostrado que las dosis mayores generan mejores resultados y consecuentemente, un menor consumo postoperatorio de analgésico, caracterizando así, el efecto dosis-dependiente en la acción periférica. Fue realizado un estudio controlado, aleatorio y doble ciego para evaluar la eficacia de 10 mg de morfina por vía intraarticular en pacientes sometidos a la artroplastia total de rodilla. Método: Se evaluaron 50 pacientes sometidos a la artroplastia total de rodilla, distribuidos aleatoriamente en dos grupos: el grupo tratamiento recibió 10 mg (1 mL) de morfina por vía intra-articular diluido en 19 mL de solución fisiológica al 0,9 por ciento (SF), mientras que el grupo control recibió una inyección intra-articular con 20 mL de SF, ambos después del cierre de la cápsula articular, al final de la operación. La morfina subcutánea bajo demanda, estuvo disponible para el dolor residual. Se evaluaron las siguientes variables: intensidad del dolor graduada en la Escala Numérica (EN) a las 2h (M1), 6h (M2), 12h (M3) y 24h (M4), después de la inyección IA; tiempo para la primera solicitación de analgésico; y consumo de analgésicos y efectos adversos. Conclusiones: El grupo tratamiento presentó menores valores en la EN que el grupo control en M1 y M2, mientras que en los otros momentos, no se registró ninguna diferencia significativa. El intervalo para la primera solicitación de analgésicos fue significantemente mayor en el grupo tratamiento y el consumo de analgésicos en las primeras 24 horas fue menor en ese grupo. No hubo diferencia entre la incidencia de efectos adversos entre los grupos. Llegamos a la conclusión, de que 10 mg de morfina redujeron el dolor del postoperatorio entre 2 y 6 horas después de aplicada la inyección IA, y se generó un periodo mayor sin analgésico de rescate reduciendo su consumo en las...

O papel dos antagonistas periféricos dos opióides no tratamento da dor e nos cuidados perioperatórios / El papel de los antagonistas periféricos de los opioides en el tratamiento del dolor y en los cuidados perioperatorios / The role of peripheral opiate antagonists in pain medicine and perioperative care

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Estudos clínicos e pré-clínicos sobre os antagonistas periféricos dos opióides aumentaram nosso conhecimento sobre os efeitos dos opióides exógenos e endógenos. CONTEÚDO: Este artigo faz uma revisão dos estudos clínicos e pré-clínicos sobre a disfunção intestinal secundária ao uso de opióides. CONCLUSÕES: Se forem aprovados, esses fármacos podem representar soluções importantes para os problemas encontrados na prática médica com relação ao tratamento da dor.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pre-clinical and clinical trials of peripheral opiate antagonists have shed new light on the effects of exogenous and endogenous opioids. CONTENTS: This article review preclinical studies and clinical opioid bowel disfunction trials. CONCLUSIONS: If approved these drugs may offer potential solutions to important clinical problems in pain management.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Estudios clínicos y preclínicos sobre los antagonistas periféricos de los opioides aumentaron nuestro conocimiento sobre los efectos de los opioides exógenos y endógenos. CONTENIDO: Este artículo nos trae una reflexión de los estudios clínicos y preclínicos sobre la disfunción intestinal secundaria al uso de opioides. CONCLUSIONES: Si se aprueban, los referidos fármacos pueden representar soluciones importantes para los problemas encontrados en la práctica médica en relación con el tratamiento del dolor.

Anestesia para cesariana em gestante com hipoplasia de aorta distal: relato de caso / Anesthesia for cesarean section on a pregnant woman with hypoplasia of the distal aorta: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Anomalias vasculares maternas, potencialmente graves para o feto, podem colocar em risco a perfusão uterina, suscitando cuidados ainda maiores por parte da equipe anestésica. O objetivo deste relato foi mostrar a conduta anestésica para operação cesariana em uma gestante com hipoplasia de aorta distal, logo abaixo da emergência das artérias renais, com estenose da artéria renal e ausência de artérias ilíacas. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente de 30 anos, 54 kg, na segunda gestação com uma cesariana anterior sem intercorrências. Durante a realização de ecografia gestacional na 12ª semana observou-se interrupção da aorta logo abaixo da saída das artérias renais. A paciente foi encaminhada para a realização de cineangiocoronariografia que mostrou hipoplasia da aorta distal abaixo das artérias renais, com ausência das artérias ilíacas. Durante a investigação clínica a paciente mostrou-se assintomática, com exceção de hipertensão arterial e claudicação aos grandes esforços. A paciente foi submetida à anestesia peridural contínua, com titulação da dose anestésica necessária à realização da cesariana. Inicialmente foram injetados 50 mg de bupivacaína a 0,5 por cento sem vasoconstritor e 10 µg de sufentanil. Quinze minutos após, a anestesia foi complementada com mais 25 mg de bupivacaína a 0,5 por cento, o que foi suficiente para atingir adequado nível de bloqueio. A cesariana transcorreu sem intercorrências e a criança nasceu em boas condições clínicas. CONCLUSÕES: O uso de anestesia peridural contínua com doses fracionadas demonstrou ser uma técnica anestésica segura para a realização desse procedimento por reduzir os riscos de hipotensão arterial materna inerente ao bloqueio espinal e também por minimizar a transferência placentária de fármacos, que ocorrem quando do emprego da anestesia geral. A titulação de fármacos através do cateter peridural possibilitou atingir nível anestésico adequado à realização do ato cirúrgico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Maternal vascular anomalies, potentially severe for the fetus, can jeopardize uterine perfusion, which demands more caution by the anesthesiology team. The objective of this report was to demonstrate the anesthetic conduct for a cesarean section on a pregnant woman with hipoplasia of the distal aorta, just below the renal arteries, with stenosis of the renal artery and absence of the iliac arteries. CASE REPORT: This is a 30-year old patient, weighing 54 kg, on her second pregnancy, with a history of an uncomplicated cesarean section. During the gestational echocardiography on the 12th week, it was observed an interruption of the distal aorta, just below the renal arteries. The patient was referred for coronary angiography, which demonstrated hypoplasia of the distal aorta, just below the renal arteries, and absence of the iliac arteries. During the clinical investigation, the patient remained asymptomatic, except for hypertension and claudication during great efforts. She underwent continuous epidural anesthesia and the dose of the anesthetic was titrated as needed for the cesarean section. Initially, 50 mg of 0.5 percent bupivacaine without vasoconstrictor and 10 µg of sufentanil were administered. After 15 minutes, anesthesia was complemented with 25 mg of 0.5 percent bupivacaine, which was enough to achieve an adequate level of blockade. The cesarean section was performed without intercurrences, and the fetus was born in good clinical conditions. CONCLUSION: The use of continuous epidural block in fractionated doses demonstrated to be a safe anesthetic technique for this procedure because it reduces the risks of maternal hypotension, inherent to the spinal block, and also minimized the placentary transference of drugs, which is the case with general anesthesia. Titration of drugs through the epidural catheter allowed reaching an adequate anesthetic level for this type of surgery.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Anomalías vasculares maternas, potencialmente graves para el feto, pueden colocar en riesgo la perfusión uterina, suscitando cuidados mucho más puntuales por parte del equipo anestésico. El objetivo de este relato fue mostrar la conducta anestésica para operación en cesárea en una embarazada con hipoplasia de aorta distal, bien debajo de la emergencia de las arterias renales, con estenosis de la arteria renal y falta de arterias ilíacas. RELATO DEL CASO: Paciente de 30 años, 54 kg, en el 2° embarazo con una cesárea anterior sin intercurrencias. Durante la realización de ecografía de gestación en la 12ª semana se observó una interrupción de la aorta bien debajo de la salida de las arterias renales. A la paciente se le realizó cineangiocoronariografía que mostró hipoplasia de la aorta distal por debajo de las arterias renales, con ausencia de las arterias ilíacas. Durante la investigación clínica la paciente se mostró asintomática, con excepción de hipertensión arterial y claudicación a los grandes esfuerzos. La paciente fue sometida a la anestesia peridural continua, con titulación de la dosis anestésica necesaria para la realización de la cesárea. Inicialmente se inyectaron 50 mg de bupivacaína a 0,5 por ciento sin vasoconstrictor y 10 µg de sufentanil. Quince minutos después, la anestesia fue complementada con 25 mg más de bupivacaína a 0,5 por ciento, lo que fue suficiente para alcanzar un adecuado nivel de bloqueo. La cesárea transcurrió sin intercurrencias y el niño nació en buenas condiciones clínicas. CONCLUSIONES: El uso de anestesia peridural continua con dosis fraccionadas demostró ser una técnica anestésica segura para la realización de este procedimiento por reducir los riesgos de hipotensión arterial materna inherente al bloqueo espinal y también por minimizar la transferencia placentaria de fármacos que ocurren cuando se usa la anestesia general. La titulación de fármacos a través del catéter...

Effects of Opioids on the Contractility of Isolated Human Pregnant Uterine Muscle / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Effects of fentanyl, sufentanil, meperidine, and morphine on the spontaneous contractility of isolated human pregnant uterine muscle strips were determined. METHODS: Uterine specimens were obtained from normal full-term parturients undergoing elective lower-segment cesarean section. Longitudinal muscle strips were made and mounted individually and vertically in tissue chambers to record their isometric tension. After establishment of rhythmic contractions in the buffer solution, opioid concentration-response curves were constructed. The responses to opioids were repeated in the presence of opioid receptor blocker, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, beta-adrenoceptor blocker, or cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor. RESULTS: Fentanyl and meperidine caused concentration-dependent decreases of the uterine contractility, their IC50 (concentration which causes 50% inhibition of the amplitude of spontaneous contractions) being 6.8 x 10(-6) M and 2.2 x 10(-3) M, respectively. On the contrary, sufentanil and morphine were without significant effects on the contractility. Pretreatment with either naloxone, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, atenolol, or indomethacin did not affect the uterine responses to opioids. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that fentanyl and meperidine may have direct inhibitory effects on the contractility of the human uterus. However, the opioid concentrations needed to significantly reduce the uterine contractility were at a supraclinical range.

Perceptions of Postoperative Pain Relief and Use of Opioids in Medical and Nursing Staff / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: In addition to the analgesic selection and method of administration, how medical and nursing staff perceives postoperative pain and opioid analgesia is important for the effective pain control. Therefore, we have studied about these perceptions of our medical and nursing staff. METHODS: Eighty five surgeons and seventy eight registered nurses working in the surgical wards within this hospital were surveyed by means of questionnaires to identify the attitudes to postoperative pain and knowledge about opioid analgesia. RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent of doctors and 61% of nurses attempted to relieve pain as much as possible. However, 47% of the nurses felt that analgesia was under-prescribed. The reasons given to administer analgesics inadequately by the doctors and nurses were side effects such as emesis, respiratory depression, and the fear of drug addiction. Regarding respiratory depression, 47% of doctors and 60% of nurses felt it occurred after i.m. injection of opioids postoperatively. Concerning the possibility of addiction after the patients were given 50~100 mg demerol i.m. every four hours for one week after major surgery; 37% of doctors and 83% of nurses thought that drug addiction may develop. CONCLUSIONS: Our medical and nursing staff personnel were afraid of respiratory depression as well as a fear of addiction when they administered opioids. This situation is likely to be a significant factor in under-prescribing. It may be necessary for them to have a special education program about pain relief and opioid analgesia after surgery.