The preoperative administration of ketoprofen improves analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in comparison with propacetamol or postoperative ketoprofen.

BACKGROUND: Non-opioid analgesics, paracetamol and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are proposed for pain relief after laparoscopy. We compared perioperative propacetamol (P) and ketoprofen (K) to provide analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: After ethical committee approval, we included 104 ASA I-II patients, without preoperative analgesic drugs, who were scheduled to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Anaesthesia was standardized using propofol, fentanyl, atracurium, isoflurane and N(2)O 50%. Ketoprofen 100 mg or propacetamol 2 g or a saline drip (a 100-ml unit of saline in 10 min) was infused blindly and randomly. Patients received either ketoprofen (group K1) or propacetamol (group P1) before induction of anaesthesia and saline after surgery, or saline before surgery and ketoprofen (group K2) or propacetamol (group P2) after surgery. Postoperative visual analogue pain scores (VAS 0-100 mm) were recorded during 24 h. If VAS was >30, a second dose (placebo, ketoprofen or propacetamol) was infused. Nalbuphine 0.2 mg kg(-1) i.v. was given as rescue analgesic if VAS was > or =50. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients were studied The number of patients not requiring the second analgesic was greater in K1 (33.5%) than the others (K2 0%, P1 0%, P2 7.5%). VAS scores were significantly lower in K1 (P=0.001), with less nalbuphine consumption compared with P1. VAS and opioid request were similar in K2 and P2. CONCLUSION: Preoperative administration of ketoprofen improves postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared with its postoperative administration and pre- and postoperative propacetamol.

[Morphine overdose due to cumulative errors leading to ACP pump dysfunction]. / Surdosage en morphine par cumul d'erreurs provoquant un dysfonctionnement d'une pompe d'analgésie.

We report the case of a 67-year-female patient treated with a postoperative patient controlled analgesia using an Abbott Gemstar pump for after nephrectomy. In the postanaesthesia care unit, fifteen minutes after connecting with of the pump (which bag contained 100 mg of morphine) to the patient, respiratory arrest occurred. A morphine overdose was caused by uncontrolled delivery of the entire bag contents by free flowing due only to gravity. The patient was resuscitated immediately, and had uneventful recovery. This incident was the result of multiple misuse: one misconnection of the tubing between morphine bag and the patient thus shunting the antisiphon valve, and two an improper secured PCA cassette in an open position not detected by the pump. The tubing of these pumps and the software were subsequently modified by Abbott, which should reduce the risk of recurring incident. This accident points out that vigilance must remain rigorous in spite of widespread routine use of PCA.