[Effect of pre-emptive pregabalin on pain intensity and morphine requirement after hysterectomy]. / Wplyw premedykacji pregabalina na intensywnosc bólu oraz zapotrzebowanie na morfine po histerektomiach--doniesienie wstepne.

BACKGROUND: Pregabalin, an antiepileptic and chronic pain medication, has been used by various authors for preoperative analgesia. We have assessed the effect of pre-emptive administration of the drug to patients scheduled for elective abdominal hysterectomy. METHODS: Seventy-four ASA I and II patients were included in this prospective, double blind study. They were randomised to receive 75, 150, or 300 mg of pregabalin, or 7.5 mg of midazolam as a placebo, one hour before anaesthesia and surgery. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane or desflurane. Fentanyl was used for analgesia and rocuronium for muscle relaxation. Immediately after surgery, patients received morphine intravenously in 2 mg increments until the NRS score was below 3. This was then followed by PCA. RESULTS: Morphine consumption and pain scores were only significantly lower in the 300 mg pregabalin group, when compared to the placebo and other treatment groups; there were no differences between placebos and lower doses of pregabalin. CONCLUSION: We conclude that pre-emptive administration of 300 mg pregabalin reduces postoperative pain and morphine consumption. Further studies on higher doses would appear to be justified.

[Submucosal symptomatic leiomyoma treated with transcatheter uterine artery embolisation--case report]. / Opis przypadku chorej z objawowym miesniakiem macicy leczonej metoda embolizacji tetnic macicznych.

The paper describes case of a patient (43 year old) suffering from submucosal symptomatic leiomyoma. She was treated with transcatheter uterine artery embolization. After a 3 month follow-up the patient was asymptomatic and a great reduction of leiomyoma was seen in MR.

[Uterine arteries embolization as a treatment of uterine leiomyoma]. / Zabieg embolizacji tetnic macicznych jako alternatywna metoda leczenia miesniaków macicy.

Uterine artery embolization is a new method of treating uterine leiomyomata, first carried out in France in the early 90s. The procedures involve placing a small catheter into an artery in the groin and directing it to the blood supply of the fibroid. Little plugs of polyvinyl alcohol are injected through the catheter to block these arteries. This cause the fibroid to shrink. Indications for uterine fibroid embolization include menorrhagia, pelvic pain or pressure, other "bulk" syndrome (low-back pain, urinary frequency and constipation. The fluoroscopic-guided procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Most patients are discharged within 72 hours. Post-embolization syndrome including severe pain is managed with morphine via patient-controlled pump. Paper reviews long term outcomes. Uterine artery embolization has several advantages: high efficacy, less invasiveness, ability to treat multifocal changes, uterine preservation, shorter hospitalisation and recovery (low cost) and disadvantages: postembolic syndrome (pain and fever), unknown relations to pregnancy and lack of long term results.