Articles: opioid.
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Objective. This study examines, in a retrospective fashion, the effects of intraspinal infusion therapy, primarily using opioids, in the treatment of recalcitrant noncancer pain in a sample of 29 consecutive patients. Patients were, on average, 58 years of age having had one surgery, with a pain duration of 221 months. ⋯ Side effects remain fairly common and require continued attention. Their presence, however, did not appear to deter from the patient's overall sense of satisfaction. Acquiring information from significant others and clinic staff may be a useful adjunct in interpreting the overall outcome.
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The use of transdermal fentanyl is gaining in importance in the management of cancer pain. We describe the reasons for switching opioid medication to transdermal fentanyl in a pain management unit. ⋯ Conversion to transdermal therapy may readjust the balance between opioid analgesia and side effects. The opioid switch resulted in more pain relief or fewer side effects in half of the patients. A proposed equianalgesic conversion ratio between 70:1 and 100:1 from oral slow-release morphine to transdermal fentanyl can be confirmed by our data. Conversion rates from other opioids to transdermal fentanyl are suggested.
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Many causes are given as the main reason for inadequate pain therapy. The objective of our study was to demonstrate the current position of doctors in general practice all over Austria who prescribe prescriptions. ⋯ Based on the data at hand, pain therapy for patients should be excellent. The reality, however, is somewhat different. The large number of doctors who did not reply makes it enormously difficult to make a statement about the position of pain therapy in Austria.
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In a double-blind randomised study into post-operative pain relief by extradural PCA, 66 Caesarean section patients were divided in to three groups to receive either sufentanil (2 µ g/ml), tramadol (10 mg/ml) or a mixture of both. After a loading dose of 10 ml, patients were allowed to ask for additional boluses of 2.5 ml, respecting a lock-out time of 10 min and a 1-h limit of 10 ml. Every 6 h, VAS pain scores, consumption of drugs, number of demands and side-effects were registered. ⋯ It may be concluded that the extradural use of tramadol is less beneficial than previously reported. Due to disturbing side-effects, relatively high dose requirements (even after the addition of a lipophilic opioid) and somewhat inferior analgesic quality, its extradural administration for postoperative pain relief cannot be recommended. Copyright 1999 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain.