[Considerations concerning the perioperative use of metamizole]

Metamizole in the Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Current Concept Review

Metamizole, or dipyrone, has been used for decades as a non-narcotic analgesic, providing pain relief from musculoskeletal disorders and antipyretic and antispasmolytic properties. Despite being in use since the 1920s, its mechanism of action still needs to be discovered. Despite causing fewer adverse effects when compared to other analgesics, its harmful effects on the blood and lack of evidence regarding its teratogenicity make the usage of the drug questionable, which has led to it being removed from the drug market of various countries. This narrative review aims to provide a detailed insight into the mechanism of action and efficacy, comparing its effectiveness and safety with other classes of drugs and the safety profile of metamizole.

[Perioperative analgesia with nonopioid analgesics : Joint interdisciplinary consensus-based recommendations of the German Pain Society, the German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine and the German Society of Surgery]

BACKGROUND

Nonopioid analgesics are frequently used for perioperative analgesia; however, insufficient research is available on several practical issues. Often hospitals have no strategy for how to proceed, e.g., for informing patients or for the timing of perioperative administration of nonopioid analgesics.

METHODS

An expert panel representing the German national societies of pain, anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine and surgery developed recommendations for the perioperative use of nonopioid analgesics within a formal, structured consensus process.

RESULTS

The panel agreed that nonopioid analgesics shall be part of a multimodal analgesia concept and that patients have to be informed preoperatively about possible complications and alternative treatment options. Patients' history of pain and analgesic intake shall be evaluated. Patients at risk of severe postoperative pain and possible chronification of postsurgical pain shall be identified. Depending on the duration of surgery, nonopioid analgesics can already be administered preoperatively or intraoperatively so that plasma concentrations are sufficient after emergence from anesthesia. Nonopioid analgesics or combinations of analgesics shall be administered for a limited time only. An interdisciplinary written standard of care, comprising the nonopioid analgesic of choice, possible alternatives, adequate dosing and timing of administration as well as surgery-specific policies, have to be agreed upon by all departments involved. At discharge, the patient's physician shall be informed of analgesics given and those necessary after discharge. Patients shall be informed of possible side effects and symptoms and timely discontinuation of analgesic drugs.

CONCLUSION

The use of nonopioid analgesics as part of a perioperative multimodal concept should be approved and established as an interdisciplinary and interprofessional concept for the adequate treatment of postoperative pain.

[Perioperative analgesia with nonopioid analgesics : Joint interdisciplinary consensus-based recommendations of the German Pain Society, the German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine and the German Society of Surgery]

BACKGROUND

Nonopioid analgesics are frequently used for perioperative analgesia; however, insufficient research is available on several practical issues. Often hospitals have no strategy for how to proceed, e.g., for informing patients or for the timing of perioperative administration of nonopioid analgesics.

METHODS

An expert panel representing the German national societies of pain, anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine and surgery developed recommendations for the perioperative use of nonopioid analgesics within a formal, structured consensus process.

RESULTS

The panel agreed that nonopioid analgesics shall be part of a multimodal analgesia concept and that patients have to be informed preoperatively about possible complications and alternative treatment options. Patients' history of pain and analgesic intake shall be evaluated. Patients at risk of severe postoperative pain and possible chronification of postsurgical pain shall be identified. Depending on the duration of surgery, nonopioid analgesics can already be administered preoperatively or intraoperatively so that plasma concentrations are sufficient after emergence from anesthesia. Nonopioid analgesics or combinations of analgesics shall be administered for a limited time only. An interdisciplinary written standard of care, comprising the nonopioid analgesic of choice, possible alternatives, adequate dosing and timing of administration as well as surgery-specific policies, have to be agreed upon by all departments involved. At discharge, the patient's physician shall be informed of analgesics given and those necessary after discharge. Patients shall be informed of possible side effects and symptoms and timely discontinuation of analgesic drugs.

CONCLUSION

The use of nonopioid analgesics as part of a perioperative multimodal concept should be approved and established as an interdisciplinary and interprofessional concept for the adequate treatment of postoperative pain.

[Perioperative analgesia with nonopioid analgesics : Joint interdisciplinary consensus-based recommendations of the German Pain Society, the German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine and the German Society of Surgery]

Hintergrund

Nichtopioidanalgetika werden bei vielen Patienten zur perioperativen Analgesie eingesetzt. Zu einigen praktischen Fragen beim Einsatz von Nichtopioidanalgetika liegen z. T. nur wenig Informationen aus Studien vor, und in Krankenhäusern existieren häufig keine Konzepte zum Vorgehen, z. B. zur Patientenaufklärung und zum Zeitpunkt der perioperativen Gabe.

Methodik

Eine Expertengruppe der beteiligten Fachgesellschaften hat konsensbasierte Empfehlungen zum perioperativen Einsatz von Nichtopioidanalgetika erarbeitet und in einem strukturierten formalen Konsensusprozess verabschiedet.

Ergebnisse

Die Arbeitsgruppe stimmt überein, dass Nichtopioidanalgetika Bestandteil eines perioperativen multimodalen Analgesiekonzepts sein sollen und Patienten präoperativ über Nutzen, Risiken und alternative Behandlungsmöglichkeiten aufgeklärt werden sollen. Die präoperative Patienteninformation und -edukation soll auch eine Schmerz- und Analgetikaanamnese umfassen und Patienten mit Risikofaktoren für starke Schmerzen und eine Schmerzchronifizierung sollen identifiziert werden. Unter Berücksichtigung von Kontraindikationen können Nichtopioidanalgetika abhängig von der Operationsdauer auch schon prä- oder intraoperativ gegeben werden, um nach Beendigung der Anästhesie ausreichende Plasmakonzentrationen zu erzielen. Nichtopioidanalgetika oder Kombinationen von (Nichtopioid‑)Analgetika sollen nur für einen begrenzten Zeitraum gegeben werden. Ein gemeinsam erarbeiteter abteilungsübergreifender Behandlungsstandard mit dem Nichtopioidanalgetikum erster Wahl, weiteren Therapieoptionen sowie adäquaten Dosierungen, ergänzt durch eingriffsspezifische Konzepte, soll schriftlich hinterlegt werden. Bei Entlassung aus dem Krankenhaus soll der nachbehandelnde Arzt zu perioperativ gegebenen und aktuell noch eingenommenen Analgetika schriftliche Informationen erhalten. Patienten sollen zu möglichen Nebenwirkungen der Analgetika und ihrer Symptome, die auch nach Krankenhausentlassung auftreten können, und die befristete Einnahmedauer informiert werden.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Anwendung von Nichtopioidanalgetika soll als Bestandteil eines perioperativen multimodalen Analgesiekonzepts mit klaren Vorgaben zu Indikationen, Kontraindikationen, Dosierungen und Behandlungsdauer in einem abteilungsübergreifenden Behandlungsstandard schriftlich hinterlegt werden.

Zusatzmaterial online

Die Offenlegung von Interessen ist in der Online-Version dieses Artikels (10.1007/s00104-021-01421-w) enthalten.