A Meta-Analysis of the Utility of Preoperative Intravenous Paracetamol for Post-Caesarean Analgesia.

Background and objectives: Worldwide, the number of caesarean sections performed has increased exponentially. Some studies have reported better pain control and lower postoperative requirements for opioids when intravenous (IV) paracetamol was administered preoperatively. This meta-analysis thus aimed to investigate the utility of preoperative IV paracetamol for post-caesarean analgesia. Materials and Methods: By using the keywords (paracetamol OR acetaminophen) AND [cesarea* OR caesarea* OR cesaria* OR caesaria*], a systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, Embase, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for papers published in English between January 1, 1960 and March 1, 2019. Grey literature was searched as well. Results: Seven clinical trials were reviewed, while five randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies were included in the final meta-analysis. Applying per-protocol analysis and a random-effects model, there was a significant reduction in postoperative opioid consumption and pain score in the group that received preoperative IV paracetamol, compared to placebo, as the standardized mean difference (SMD) were -0.460 (95% CI -0.828 to -0.092, p = 0.014) and -0.719 (95% CI: -1.31 to -0.13, p = 0.018), respectively. However, there was significant heterogeneity amongst the different studies included in the meta-analysis (I2 = 70.66%), perhaps owing to their diverse protocols. Some studies administered IV paracetamol 15 min before induction while others gave it before surgical incision. Conclusion: This is the first review on the topic. Overall, preoperative IV paracetamol has convincingly demonstrated useful opioid-sparing effects and it also appears safe for use at the time of delivery. It should be considered as a component of an effective multimodal analgesic regimen. Future studies could be conducted on other patient groups, e.g., those with multiple comorbidities or chronic pain disorders, and further delineate the optimal timing to administer the drug preoperatively.

Low-dose S+ ketamine in target-controlled intravenous anaesthesia with remifentanil and propofol for open gynaecological surgery: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Using remifentanil-propofol target-controlled infusion (TCI) in open gynaecological surgeries could be associated with opioid-induced hyperalgesia postoperatively. This study's aim was to investigate the effect of low-dose S-ketamine compared with control on cumulative morphine consumption 24 h postoperatively in women undergoing open abdominal hysterectomy with remifentanil-propofol TCI technique. METHODS: Ninety female patients above 21 years old who underwent elective open abdominal hysterectomy under general anaesthesia with remifentanil-propofol TCI were recruited. They were randomised to receive either normal saline as control (n = 44) or 0.25 mg/kg intravenous boluses of S-ketamine before skin incision and after complete removal of uterus (n = 45). The primary outcome measure was cumulative morphine consumption measured over 24 h postoperatively. The secondary outcome measures were incidences of opioid-related and psychotomimetic side effects, pain and level of sedation scores. RESULTS: The cumulative 24-h morphine consumption postoperatively (P = 0.0547) did not differ between both the groups. S-ketamine group had slower emergence from general anaesthesia (P = 0.0308) and lower pain scores (P = 0.0359) 15 min postoperatively. Sedation level, common opioid-related side effects (nausea, vomiting, pruritus), respiratory depression and psychotomimetic side effects were similar between both the study groups. CONCLUSION: Low-dose S-ketamine did not reduce the total cumulative morphine consumption in patients undergoing major open gynaecological surgeries with remifentanil-propofol TCI.

Management of a giant uterine leiomyoma.

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common tumours arising from the female reproductive tract. However, giant myomas, which are greater than 11.4 kg in weight, are exceedingly rare. They may cause a pressure effect on surrounding organs, heart and lungs, which can be potentially life threatening. We present a case of a 53-year-old woman with a massive uterine mass complicated by restrictive lung disease. She underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with frozen section and reconstruction of the abdominal wall by the gynaecologists and plastic surgeons. The excised specimen weighed 27.8 kg, which included a benign subserosal leiomyoma measuring 64 by 50.5 by 15 cm. Intraoperative blood loss was 7 L and her postoperative recovery was complicated by coagulopathy and haemorrhagic shock. This case illustrates the pivotal role of multidisciplinary care in the management of complicated surgical patients and the need for careful perioperative care.