• J E Morrison and V R Jacobs.
• Zentralbl Gynakol. 2003 Jan 1; 125 (1): 17-22.

ObjectiveWe evaluated the efficacy of a temporarily placed porous catheter with continuous application of a local anaesthetic(ON-Q( by l-Flow-Corp., Lake Forest, CA, USA) post mastectomy vs. patients without this device regarding postoperative need for opioid medication.Material And MethodsAt Fayette Medical Center, Alabama, a retrospective evaluation of all consecutive mastectomies (n = 49) within a five-year-period from 1/1997-12/2001 and statistical analysis regarding postoperative need for opioids was performed. The ON-Q pain management pump with continuous 0.25% Sensorcaine (Bupivacaine and Epinephrine) application for about 72 h (n- 22) was compared vs. a control group without pain management pump (n- 27).ResultsThere were no statistical significant differences regarding patient demographics in both groups. Patients in the ON-Q group with no need of postoperative opioid pain medication were: 18.2 vs. 3.7 % (P - 0.1), no need for opioids after postoperative day 1: 68.2% vs. 11.1 % (P 0.001), total opioids usage in dose equivalents (DE): 1.25 vs. 3.36 DE (-62.8%) (P-0.016), opioids usage postoperative day 1: 0.65 vs. 1.82 DE (-64.6%) (P - 0.016),opioids usage postoperative day 2: 0.24 vs. 0.75 DE (-68.4%)(P - 0.011). The length of stay in hospital was 2.35 vs. 2.93 days(n.s.), and postoperative stay in PACU: 384 vs. 43.3 min (n. s.).OR time for placement of catheter and pump is only slightly increased. No complications occurred.ConclusionUse of an ON-Q pain management pump could significantly reduce or even eliminate postoperative need for opioids analgesics.

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