cardiovascular effects and recovery time of remifentanil in abdominal operations

Fifty patients ASA I and II with an age ranging from 23 to 50 years undergoing abdominal operations were included in this study. The patients received remifentanil bolus dose 1 ug/kg before induction and maintenance dose 0.5 ug/kg/min. There was a significant decrease in the heart rate after induction and during the operation. The decrease in arterial blood pressure after induction, intubation and during the time of the operation was statistically significant compared with baseline. The mean time for spontaneous breathing was 11 minutes, that for adequate breathing was 15 minutes, that for the response to verbal command was 18 minutes and that for recovery room discharge was 31 minutes

Superior hypogastric plexus block versus continuous epidural morphine for intractable cancer pelvic pain

This study was performed on 60 patients suffered from pain due to cancer bladder and prostate. All patients reported a visual analogue scale [VAS] pain score of 6-10/10 before treatment. The patients were divided into three groups according to the site, severity and type of pain. Adjuvant drugs in the form of antidepressants, steroids, anti convulsants may be needed to all groups. In groups A [medical group], pain was completely relieved in 70% of the patients and was reduced in 30% of them. In group B [epidural morphine], pain was completely relieved in 70% of the patients and was reduced in 30%. In group C [superior hypogastric block], pain was completely relieved in 80% of the patients and was reduced in 20%