Intermittent epidural bolus versus continuous epidural infusions for labor analgesia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

There are inconsistent results regarding the efficacy and safety of intermittent epidural bolus (IPB) versus continuous epidural infusions (CPI) for labor analgesia. This study used a meta-analytic approach to assess the safety and treatment efficacy of IPB versus CPI for labor analgesia based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Four electronic databases were used to identify eligible RCTs. Pooled effect estimates at 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Twenty-two RCTs with 2,573 parturients were selected for final analysis. The findings revealed no significant differences between IPB and CPI for the incidences of cesarean and instrumental delivery. IPB was shown to be associated with shorter total duration of labor [weighted mean difference (WMD): −21.46; 95% CI: −25.07 to −17.85; P < 0.001], duration of the first of stage of labor (WMD: −13.41; 95% CI: −21.01 to −5.81; P = 0.001), and duration of the second stage of labor (WMD: −4.98; 95% CI: −9.32 to −0.63; P = 0.025). Furthermore, IPB significantly reduced the incidences of required anesthetic interventions compared with CPI [relative risk (RR): 0.61; 95% CI: 0.39–0.95; P = 0.030], whereas there was no significant difference between IPB and CPI for the time required in the first anesthetic intervention (WMD: 7.73; 95% CI: −33.68–49.15; P = 0.714). The local anesthetic IPB (bupivacaine equivalents) was associated with lower milligrams per hour of local anesthetic (WMD: −0.89; 95% CI: −1.41 to −0.36; P = 0.001) and better maternal satisfaction (WMD: 8.76; 95% CI: 4.18–13.35; P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between IPB and CPI for the risk of adverse events. This study found that parturients with IPB have short total duration of labor and duration of the first and second stage of labor, reduced requirements for additional anesthetic interventions, and improved maternal satisfaction.

Effects of intraoperative propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia on postoperative pain in spine surgery: Comparison with desflurane anesthesia - a randomised trial

BACKGROUND

As reported, patients experience less postoperative pain after propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). In the present study, we investigated the postoperative analgesic effects between propofol-based TIVA and desflurane anesthesia after spine surgery.

METHODS

Sixty patients were included who received (surgical time >180 minutes) lumbar spine surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either TIVA (with target-controlled infusion) with propofol/fentanyl-based anesthesia (TIVA group) or desflurane/fentanyl-based anesthesia (DES group), titrated to maintain Bispectral Index values between 45 and 55. All patients received patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with fentanyl for postoperative pain relief. Numeric pain rating scale (NRS) pain scores, postoperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative rescue tramadol use, and fentanyl-related side effects were recorded.

RESULTS

The TIVA group patients reported lower NRS pain scores during coughing on postoperative day 1 but not day 2 and 3 (P = .002, P = .133, P = .161, respectively). Less fentanyl consumption was observed on postoperative days 1 and 2, but not on day 3 (375 μg vs 485 μg, P = .032, 414 μg vs 572 μg, P = .033, and 421 μg vs 479 μg, P = .209, respectively), less cumulative fentanyl consumption at postoperative 48 hours (790 μg vs 1057 μg, P = .004) and 72 hours (1210 μg vs 1536 μg, P = .004), and total fentanyl consumption (1393 μg vs 1704 μg, P = .007) when compared with the DES group. No difference was found in rescue tramadol use and fentanyl-related side effects.

CONCLUSION

Patients anesthetized with propofol-based TIVA reported less pain during coughing and consumed less daily and total PCA fentanyl after lumbar spine surgery.

Palliative care with cervical intrathecal infusion and external pump for a late-stage cancer patient with refractory pain: A case report

RATIONALE

Intrathecal therapy, with a low complication rate, has become an alternative to standard pain management for treatment of neuropathic cancer pain.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Here, we reported a late-stage cancer patient with intractable neuropathic pain in his right neck, shoulder, and upper limb.

DIAGNOSES

The pain started 2 years ago when the patient was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma with metastasis to right supraclavicular lymph nodes.

INTERVENTIONS

Cervical intrathecal infusion of morphine and bupivacaine with patient control analgesia by external pump was performed. The intrathecal catheter was located at the level of C6 vertebra. The initial concentration of bupivacaine and morphine were both 1 mg/mL with infusion rate of 0.3 mL/h and bolus of 0.3 mL. Subsequently, the concentrations increased to 2 mg/mL (bupivacaine) and 1.33 mg/mL (morphine), with infusion rate to 0.6 mL/h and bolus to 0.5 ml.

OUTCOMES

The pain intensity decreased from numerical rating scale 6 to 7 to 2 to 3 at rest, and from 10 to 5 to 6 of breakthrough pain.

LESSONS

In conclusion, cervical intrathecal infusion requires low concentration but high doses of bupivacaine and morphine, which is safe and effective in cancer patients with refractory pain and short life expectancy.

Intrathecal analgesia: time to consider it for your patient?

When systemic analgesics or antispasmodics fail to control chronic pain or cause intolerable adverse effects, an intrathecal drug delivery system may be the best bet.

Intrathecal pain pumps: indications, patient selection, techniques, and outcomes

Intrathecal drug delivery represents an advanced modality for refractory chronic pain patients as well as intractable spasticity. This article reviews the advantages and indications for intrathecal therapy, as well as recommendations for proper patient selection using a multidisciplinary team to provide a global assessment of the impact of chronic pain on the patient's well-being. The goals and expectations of trialing are discussed alongside advantages and disadvantages of several trialing techniques. A discussion of outcomes is presented for patients with chronic pain due to both malignant and nonmalignant causes.

Chronic spinal infusion of loperamide alleviates postsurgical pain in rats

Plantar incision in rat generates spontaneous pain behaviour. The opioid drug, morphine used to treat postsurgical pain produces tolerance after long-term administration. Loperamide, a potent mu-opioid agonist, has documented analgesic action in various pain conditions. However, loperamide analgesia and associated tolerance following continuous spinal administration in postsurgical pain has not been reported. Chronic spinal infusion of drugs was achieved using intrathecal catheters connected to osmotic minipump. Coinciding with the onset of spinal infusion of loperamide or morphine, rats were subjected to plantar incision. Pain-related behaviour was assessed by Hargreaves apparatus (thermal hyperalgesia) and von Frey filaments (mechanical allodynia). Morphine and loperamide (0.5, 1 and 2 microL/h) induced analgesia was observed until 7th day post-plantar incision in Sprague-Dawley rats. Morphine and loperamide produced dose-dependent analgesia. Loperamide, in the highest dose, produced analgesia till 7th day. However, the highest dose of morphine produced inhibition of thermal hyperalgesia till 5th day and mechanical allodynia only till 3rd day post-plantar incision. Morphine and loperamide produced analgesia in postsurgical pain, which may be mediated through different mechanisms. Longer duration of analgesia with loperamide could probably be due sustained blockade of calcium channels.

[Pharmacokinetics of amphotericin B in the cerebrospinal fluid during continuous intrathecal administration for treatment of cryptococcal neoformans meningitis]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the pharmacokinetics of amphotericin B (AMB) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during continuous intrathecal administration of AMB for treatment of cryptococcal neoformans meningitis (CNM).

METHODS

The concentration of AMB in the CSF was measured using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) in 3 patients receiving continuous intrathecal infusion of AMB for CNM.

RESULTS

AMB concentrations in the CSF of the 3 patients exceeded the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AMB against Cryptococcus neoformans. The concentration-time curve showed that AMB concentration in the CSF underwent obvious variations on the first day of intrathecal infusion and after additional AMB doses, but maintained a stable level (0.61-1.21 µg/ml) on the next day.

CONCLUSION

[corrected] Continuous intrathecal administration of AMB can enhance the drug concentration in the CSF and maintain a stable and effective drug level for treatment of CNM.

[Efficacy of the fascia iliaca compartment block vs continuous epidural infusion for analgesia following total knee replacement surgery]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Total knee replacement causes moderate to severe postoperative pain. The aim of this trial was to compare postoperative analgesia from a fascia iliaca compartment block to continuous epidural analgesia following knee arthroplasty.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Clinical trial enrolling patients in American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classes 1 to 3 randomized to 2 groups. One group received spinal anesthesia plus a fascia iliaca compartment block with 0.1% bupivacaine at a rate of 10 mL/h. The second group received combined spinal-epidural anesthesia plus epidural analgesia with 0.1% bupivacaine in continuous infusion at a rate of 8 mL/h. Postoperative pain on a visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and on movement was recorded every 3 hours for the first 24 hours. Use of intravenous morphine and the adverse events were also recorded.

RESULTS

Forty patients (20 for each group) were enrolled. The distribution of age, weight, body mass index, sex, ASA class, duration of surgery, use of morphine, and the incidence of adverse effects were similar in the 2 groups. Postoperative VAS scores at rest and on movement were also similar. The incidence of arterial hypotension was higher in the epidural analgesia group.

CONCLUSIONS

The fascia iliaca compartment block and continuous epidural infusion are similarly efficient in providing postoperative analgesia for patients after total knee replacement. The fascia iliaca compartment block is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative hemodynamic complications. Early, safe rehabilitation is facilitated by both analgesic techniques.