Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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A survey of postoperative pain management practices was mailed to the 56 Canadian university-affiliated teaching hospitals in December 1991. The aims of the survey were (1) to determine the prevalence, structure, and function of Acute Pain Services and (2) to determine the use and management of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and epidural opiate analgesia (EOA) in teaching hospitals. Responses were received from 47 hospitals, representing a return rate of 84%. ⋯ No deaths were reported at the time of the survey. Epidural opioid-local anaesthetic EOA-LA combinations were used at 26 (63%) hospitals; however, only six administered these combinations on general words. We conclude that a multidisciplinary team approach to manage postoperative pain is viable in university teaching hospitals of all sizes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison between patient-controlled analgesia and intramuscular meperidine after thoracotomy.
A prospective randomized controlled study was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in patients undergoing thoracotomy. This method was compared with a conventional pain management technique consisting of regularly scheduled im injections of analgesics. Forty adult patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenous PCA or im meperidine treatment over a 48-hr period after surgery. ⋯ Meperidine intake was similar in both groups but considerable interpatient variation was seen. In conclusion, PCA is a safe, effective and individualized treatment method for controlling pain after thoracotomy. There appears to be some clinical advantages of PCA over im dosing regimens for analgesia after thoracotomy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparative study of patient-controlled epidural fentanyl and single dose epidural morphine for post-caesarean analgesia.
In a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study, 23 patients who had undergone Caesarean delivery under epidural anaesthesia were assessed to evaluate the effectiveness of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with fentanyl compared with a single dose of epidural morphine for postoperative analgesia. Group A (n = 11) received epidural fentanyl 100 micrograms intraoperatively then self-administered a maximum of two epidural fentanyl boluses 50 micrograms (10 micrograms.ml-1) with a lockout period of five minutes for a maximum of two doses per hour. Group B (n = 11) received a single bolus of epidural morphine 3 mg (0.5 mg.ml-1) intraoperatively and received the same instructions as Group A but had their PCA devices filled with 0.9% NaCl. ⋯ Pruritus was less common in Group A patients at the 8 and 24 hr observation periods (P < 0.0125). Both groups experienced the same degree of nausea and clinically unimportant respiratory depression. We conclude that PCEA with fentanyl provides analgesia equal to a single dose of epidural morphine and may be suitable for patients who have experienced considerable pruritus after epidural morphine administration.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Vital capacity rapid inhalation induction technique: comparison of sevoflurane and halothane.
Induction of anaesthesia using the vital capacity rapid inhalation induction (VCRII) technique with either sevoflurane or halothane was compared. The induction time, characteristics, and acceptability were assessed. Thirty-two volunteers were given one of the vapours: 17 received sevoflurane and 15 halothane. ⋯ Subjects in both groups had no objection to undergoing the procedure again. It is concluded that both halothane and sevoflurane are effective in VCRII of anaesthesia without premedication. However, the slower speed of induction with halothane frustrated the anaesthetist because of the longer induction time, and may increase the chance of pronounced excitatory phenomena occurring.