Efficacy of fentanyl transdermal patch in pain control after lower third molar surgery: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical removal of impacted lower third molars is a common oral surgical procedure, generally followed by moderate to severe postoperative pain. Transdermal drug delivery as a concept offers interesting possibilities for postoperative pain control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transdermal system with fentanyl in relieving pain following impacted lower third molar surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with bilateral impacted lower third molars were included in this preliminary study. For postoperative pain control, patients randomly received a fentanyl patch plus placebo tablet after the first operation and regular (placebo) patch and an analgesic, after the second operation. Analgesia was evaluated during first 24 hours postoperatively according to patients' reports about time of first pain appearance and additional analgesic consumption. Pain severity was rated using a 10 cm long visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Intensity of postoperative pain and postoperative analgesic consumption were significantly lower after the Fentanyl Transdermal System (FTS) was applied (p<0.05). Duration of postoperative analgesia was significantly higher with FTS when compared to control treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this preliminary study, transdermal system with fentanyl significantly reduced postoperative pain after third molar surgery.

Maternal hemodynamic influence on uteroplacental oxygen distribution during cesarean section.

This study investigated maternal hemodynamic influence on uteroplacental oxygen distribution and neonatal outcome during cesarean section (CS). CS was performed on 80 parturients using two anaesthetic techniques: spinal anaesthesia (SA) and general balanced anaesthesia (GBA). Indications for CS were exclusively obstetric related. Monitored maternal parameters were: ECG, heart rate (HR), non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP), saturation (SaO2). Gas parameters in umbilical artery, vein, and neonatal capillary blood were sampled. Vitality was assessed by the Apgar scoring, first breath-taking time and the first breastfeeding attempt. Hypotension was the most common finding after SA induction. GBA group presented changes such as QT inversion (12.5%), tachycardia (55%), and bradycardia (2.5%). SA group experienced higher rates of sinus tachycardia (45%) and ventricular dysrhythmias (2.5%). Neonatal oxygenation was significantly higher in SA group. Higher quality of early neonatal adaptation in the SA group confirms it as the technique with the least neonatal risk during CS.