The analgesic efficacy of tramadol in ambulatory gynecological laparoscopic procedures: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the postoperative analgesic efficacy of intravenous tramadol 50 mg administered before anesthetic induction in patients undergoing ambulatory gynecological laparoscopic procedures. METHODS: This was a double-blind randomized, controlled trial conducted in 150 patients. Pain intensity was measured using a verbal numerical rating score at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h postoperatively and at discharge. Requirement of analgesics (fentanyl and paracetamol), effect of pain on sleep, activity limitation, side effects (headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth), global perceived analgesic efficacy, satisfaction, and preference for stronger analgesics were assessed in the first 24 h postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between the tramadol group and the placebo group in terms of clinical data and pain intensity at any measured times. Recovery room data showed no statistical differences regarding number of patients requiring fentanyl, time to first fentanyl requirement, total fentanyl required, verbal numerical rating score before fentanyl administration, and incidence of nausea/vomiting and shivering. Post-discharge data showed that patients in the tramadol group required statistically less paracetamol (3.2 vs. 3.9 tablets, P = 0.04). There were no statistical differences regarding the number of patients requiring paracetamol, verbal numerical rating score before taking paracetamol, effect of pain on sleep and activity, global perceived analgesic efficacy, satisfaction, preference for stronger analgesics, and side effects. CONCLUSION: Intravenous tramadol 50 mg given before anesthetic induction did not reduce pain intensity but was well tolerated. Although tramadol statistically reduced the paracetamol requirement in the first 24 h postoperatively, it did not seem to provide a significant clinical advantage.

Misoprostol for cervical ripening in non-pregnant women: a randomized double-blind controlled trial of oral versus vaginal regimens.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to compare the efficacy of oral versus vaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening in non-pregnant women. METHODS: Sixty non-pregnant women scheduled for diagnostic hysteroscopy were randomized by computerized randomization schedule to 400 microg of misoprostol orally (n = 30) or 200 microg vaginally (n = 30) administered 12 h prior to surgery. The diameter of the cervical canal measured with a Hegar dilator, adverse events and any complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean pre- and post-medication cervical canal diameter and cervical diameter difference were 2.00 +/- 1.93 versus 2.37 +/- 1.83 mm (P = 0.453), 5.10 +/- 1.75 versus 5.60 +/- 1.69 mm (P = 0.265) and 3.10 +/- 1.79 versus 3.23 +/- 1.74 mm (P = 0.771) in the oral and vaginal group, respectively. Seven patients in the oral group and one patient in the vaginal group experienced diarrhoea within 24 h of administration of the misoprostol. CONCLUSION: Oral misoprostol 400 microg had similar efficacy in cervical ripening to 200 microg of vaginal misoprostol.

Menopausal symptoms in a hospital-based sample of women in southern Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate menopausal symptoms and quality of life in middle-aged women. STUDY DESIGN: Hospital-based, cross-sectional study. METHODS: A survey was conducted among 270 women aged 45-65 years who attended the gynecological and menopause clinic, Songklanagarind Hospital. We used the MENQOL questionnaire as the instrument. RESULTS: The average age at menopause of the postmenopausal women was 48.7 years (range 40-57 years). The prevalences of the classical menopausal symptoms--hot flushes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness--in the women aged 45-65 years were 36.8%, 20.8 and 55.3%, respectively. The three most prevalent symptoms in perimenopause were aching in muscles and joints, experiencing poor memory, and change in sexual desire. Within the four domains (vasomotor, psychological, physical, and sexual symptoms), more suffering was reported in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal subjects than in the premenopausal subjects (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Peri- and postmenopausal women had a significant decrease in quality of life compared to premenopausal women.