Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Jul 1986
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation following appendicectomy: the placebo effect.
A controlled trial was undertaken to compare the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with standard intramuscular opiate analgesia in the management of postoperative pain following appendicectomy. Consecutive patients undergoing emergency appendicectomy were randomised into control, sham TENS and active TENS groups. ⋯ No difference was demonstrated in pain severity between active and sham TENS groups but the active TENS group required slightly less analgesia. These results suggest that the major benefit of TENS in the postappendicectomy patient is due to its 'placebo effect' and its use in this situation cannot be recommended.
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Ann R Coll Surg Engl · Jul 1986
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialAnalgesia in the acute abdomen.
In a prospective sequential double blind trial 288 patients with acute abdominal pain were given sublingual buprenorphine 200 mcg, sublingual buprenorphine 400 mcg, or placebo. Pain relief was proportional to the number of tablets administered; buprenorphine had no difference in effect compared to placebo. Physical signs altered in proportion to dosage, but this had no effect on clinical diagnosis. We conclude that patients with acute abdominal pain may be given buprenorphine without fear of masking the diagnosis.