Articles: postoperative-pain.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 1986
Cryoanalgesia after thoracotomy. Improvement of technique and review of 600 cases.
The efficacy of cryoanalgesia for the control of post-thoracotomy pain has led to the acceptance of the technique as a routine procedure in this unit. A study of 600 consecutive patients in whom an improved technique was used is not reported. The freezing time for each intercostal nerve in this group was reduced to one 30 second exposure instead of the two 30 second exposures previously used. ⋯ Freezing above the fifth intercostal nerve is no longer practiced in women. Modification to the probe has simplified the procedure. Pulmonary function studies and blood-gas analysis are also described.
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Obstetrics and gynecology · Jul 1986
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEpidural hydromorphone for postcesarean analgesia.
The efficacy of epidurally administered hydromorphone for postcesarean analgesia was evaluated in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Patients in group H (N = 26) received 1.0 mg of hydromorphone in preservative-free saline (total volume = 10 mL), administered epidurally. Patients in group B (N = 26) received 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine, administered epidurally. ⋯ Nausea/vomiting and pruritus occurred more frequently in group H. No patient had a respiratory rate less than or equal to 10. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in mean times to first ambulation, first void, first passage of flatus, or hospital discharge.
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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.