PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T J Pavy

Publications and source records attributed to T J Pavy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The effect of intravenous ketorolac on opioid requirement and pain after cesarean delivery.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, including ketorolac, are widely used for postoperative analgesia. This randomized, double-blinded trial compared IV ketorolac or saline combined with meperidine patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) after cesarean delivery. Fifty healthy parturients scheduled for elective cesarean delivery under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia received PCEA plus either IV ketorolac (Group K) or saline (Group C) for 24 h. The ketorolac dose was modified, after six patients had been studied, based on new product information recommending a maximum of 120 mg ketorolac over 24 h. Group K (n = 24) and Group C (n = 20) were demographically similar. During the first 24 h, Group K used significantly less meperidine (P < 0.05). Postoperative pain at rest and with movement, and patient satisfaction, did not differ significantly between groups, except that worst pain at 12 h was less in Group K (P < 0.005). The two groups were similar with respect to patient recovery and side effects. IV ketorolac, as an adjunct to PCEA after cesarean delivery, produced a meperidine dose-sparing effect of approximately 30%, but did not significantly improve pain relief, reduce opioid-related side effects, or change patient outcome.

Adult↗

Patient-controlled spinal analgesia for labour and caesarean delivery.

Continuous spinal anaesthesia has not been widely used in Australia. Epidural anaesthesia is often inadequate in patients with previous spinal surgery, as distribution of local anaesthetic in the epidural space is unpredictable. Two cases are presented where continuous spinal anaesthesia enabled satisfactory analgesia and anaesthesia to be obtained for labour and caesarean delivery respectively.

Adult↗

Postoperative intraspinal opioid analgesia after caesarean section; a randomised comparison of subarachnoid morphine and epidural pethidine.

A randomised, blinded clinical trial was performed to evaluate intraspinal opioid analgesic techniques after caesarean section. Healthy term parturients having elective caesarean section under combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia were allocated to one of three groups. Postoperative analgesia, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, was provided using either pethidine patient-controlled epidural analgesia (group PCEA) or subarachnoid morphine 200 microg, the latter supplemented as required with patient-controlled intravenous pethidine (group SMPCIA) or oral paracetamol and codeine (group SMO). Maternal analgesia, side effects, recovery and satisfaction were assessed for 48 h. Of 144 parturients enrolled, 137 completed the study (PCEA n = 44, SMPCIA n = 45, SMO n = 48). The groups were demographically similar. All participants experienced good pain relief, including median visual analogue pain scores (0-100) with movement <40 between 0-24 h. However, pain scores were significantly lower at 8 and 12 h in those receiving subarachnoid morphine (P< 0.05). Women in groups receiving subarachnoid morphine experienced more severe pruritus (P<0.001), nausea (P< 0.001) and drowsiness (P< 0.05). Postoperative recovery of bowel function and ambulation occurred earlier in those using PCEA, although this did not appear to be of clinical significance. Patient satisfaction was similar, although women in group SMO were least likely to choose this approach again (P<0.05). We concluded that all three techniques provided effective analgesia for a prolonged period postoperatively. Better pain relief, but more opioid-related side effects, resulted from subarachnoid morphine 200 microg, and re-evaluation of reduced doses of subarachnoid morphine may be warranted.

Clinical Trial↗

The antiemetic and dysphoric effects of droperidol in the day surgery patient.

The incidence of side-effects of two doses of droperidol used as a prophylactic antiemetic were compared (10 vs 20 micrograms/kg). Two hundred and twenty-eight women for day case laparoscopy were recruited. Pain and nausea scores were collected in the recovery area and in the Day Surgery Unit prior to discharge. A telephone follow-up questionnaire was administered. Incidences of anxiety, restlessness and dysphoric reactions were similar in both groups (29.2% vs 29.0%). The incidence of postoperative vomiting varied from 4.4 to 7.7%. There were no significant differences between the two groups when nausea scores, incidences of vomiting and pain after discharge were compared. An unexpected finding was the significantly higher incidence of pain in the 10 micrograms/kg group. We conclude that there is no advantage in lowering the dose of droperidol below 20 micrograms/kg in this group of patients.

Adult↗

Postoperative nausea and vomiting: development of a management protocol.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is still an important and common problem. Despite the introduction of new antiemetic drugs, the management of PONV remains difficult. In this article we describe the development and evaluation of a management protocol for PONV, which consists of a treatment algorithm accompanied by a nursing education program. Implementation of this management protocol has been well-accepted by staff, appears to have reduced delay in patient treatment and improved patient care, and has significantly reduced staff workload. It is planned to use continuous quality improvement techniques to further refine the algorithm and continue assessment of its efficacy and of patient satisfaction.

Antiemetics↗

Postoperative epidural infusion: a randomized, double-blind, dose-finding trial of clonidine in combination with bupivacaine and fentanyl.

The aim of this randomized, double-blind trial of postoperative thoracic epidural analgesic infusions was to determine whether clonidine at 10 microg/h (group C10, n = 22), 15 microg/h (Group C15, n = 24), or 20 microg/h (Group C20, n = 24) improved postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing abdominal gynecologic surgery, without side effects or hemodynamic changes, when added to a 5-mL/h infusion of 0.125% bupivacaine and fentanyl 2 microg/mL (Group CO, n = 22). The 24-h study infusion was supplemented, as required, by patient-controlled epidural fentanyl. Groups were similar for age, weight, duration, and type of surgery. Clonidine produced a dose-dependent improvement in analgesia at rest. Only 20 microg/h significantly increased the percentage of patients who experienced no pain with coughing (relative risk 1.44, 95% confidence interval 1.24-1.94), reduced pain scores with coughing (P < 0.05), and significantly lowered supplementary fentanyl requirements (P < 0.05). Groups were similar for sedation, pruritus, nausea, time to ambulation, and satisfaction with analgesia. Clonidine produced a dose-dependent decrease in blood pressure and pulse rate and an increase in vasopressor requirement (P < 0.01). Epidural clonidine infused at 20 microg/h improves analgesia during coughing when combined with epidural bupivacaine-fentanyl in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery but is associated with hemodynamic changes and increased vasopressor requirement.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Maternal experience during epidural or combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for cesarean section: a prospective, randomized trial.

UNLABELLED: Epidural anesthesia (EA) and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) are popular anesthetic techniques for elective cesarean section. A randomized, blind study was conducted to compare maternal experiences during these regional anesthetics. EA was established using alkalinized 2% lidocaine with epinephrine and fentanyl, whereas spinal anesthesia was performed using 2.5 mL hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine and fentanyl via a single-space CSEA approach. Both patients and observers were blinded to the anesthetic technique allocation. One hundred twenty patients were enrolled; 6 were withdrawn (Group EA, n = 55; Group CSEA, n = 59). Of the two techniques, CSEA was associated with earlier onset times (P < 0.001), more intense motor block (P < 0.05), and greater ephedrine use (P < 0.01). Anxiety was significantly lower (P < 0.05) and satisfaction was higher (P < 0.05) before starting surgery with CSEA. Pain scores were lower pre- and intraoperatively with CSEA, a difference that became significant during block placement and at delivery (P < 0.05). There were no differences between groups in the incidence or severity of hypotension and nausea or analgesic supplementation rate; or for postoperative assessments of intraoperative pain, anxiety and satisfaction, and postpartum backache and headache. We conclude that maternal conditions and experience were good with both methods, although CSEA conferred several minor advantages. IMPLICATIONS: Epidural and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia are often used for elective cesarean sections. Although the combined spinal-epidural anesthetic technique conferred minor advantages, both techniques were associated with low anesthetic failure rates, good operative conditions, and high maternal satisfaction levels.

Adult↗

Patient-controlled epidural analgesia following caesarean delivery: a comparison of pethidine and fentanyl.

Pethidine and fentanyl have both been used to provide patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) following caesarean delivery. Both have been compared with epidural morphine but these drugs have not been compared with each other. Patient-controlled epidural analgesia was used in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial to compare fentanyl and pethidine for postoperative epidural analgesia in women having elective caesarean deliveries. Two groups received either PCEA fentanyl or pethidine with a cross-over to the other drug after 24 hours. Results from 45 patients showed no difference in pain level outcomes, but pethidine scored better in all side-effects except for drowsiness at 48 hours. Patients were more satisfied with pethidine (P = 0.015) and overall 65% of patients preferred pethidine. We conclude that pethidine is a suitable drug for patient-controlled epidural analgesia and leads to greater patient satisfaction than does fentanyl.

Adult↗

Anaesthetic management of labour and delivery in a woman taking long-term MAOI.

A case is presented of a woman who, for six years, had been treated for depression with 45 mg daily of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), phenelzine, and who continued taking the drug throughout her pregnancy and labour. Well-documented and potentially fatal interactions between MAOIs and opioids, notably meperidine, meant that her labour analgesia needed careful planning. Opioid- and epinephrine-free epidural bupivacaine analgesia was instituted early with small increments of bupivacaine 0.25% to produce a T10 block, after which an infusion of 8 ml.hr-1 bupivacaine 0.125% was used to maintain analgesia. After 14 hr labour, the epidural was extended uneventfully to allow Caesarean section to be performed for failure to progress. Pressor agents were avoided as indirect-acting drugs can produce severe hypertension. The child appeared normal and the mother had an uncomplicated postoperative course. Epidural analgesia contributed to the safe conduct of labour and Caesarean delivery.

Adult↗

Clinical experience with patient-controlled and staff-administered intermittent bolus epidural analgesia in labour.

A prospective, randomized study was performed to detail clinical experience with both patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) and midwife-administered intermittent bolus (IB) epidural analgesia during labour, under the conditions pertaining in a busy obstetric delivery unit. Both methods used 0.125% bupivacaine plus fentanyl, and similar rescue supplementation, although management decisions related to epidural analgesia were made principally by attending midwives. One hundred and ninety-eight women were recruited and data analysed from 167 (PCEA n = 82, IB n = 85). The groups were demographically similar. Median hourly pain scores, ratings of analgesia and satisfaction did not differ. Maximum pain scores were significantly higher in those receiving IB epidural analgesia (P < 0.05). The PCEA group had a significantly higher rate of supplementation and bupivacaine use (P < 0.01), and a longer duration of the second stage of labour (P < 0.03). The relative risk of instrumental delivery with PCEA versus the IB method was 1.57 (CI 1.07-2.38). Experience within our unit with PCEA is contrasted with that of IB epidural analgesia, the method most commonly used; and with that of controlled trials comparing these two methods.

Adolescent↗

Single-dose prophylaxis for postoperative nausea and vomiting after major abdominal surgery: ondansetron versus droperidol.

The new antiemetic ondansetron is effective for the prophylaxis and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), but has been subject to limited comparative evaluation in surgical inpatients. Two hundred and seventy women having abdominal gynaecological surgery were investigated for 24 hours postoperatively in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of intraoperative intravenous ondansetron 8 mg (n = 83), droperidol 2.5 mg (n = 89) or saline placebo (n = 87). Patients receiving either ondansetron or droperidol remained likely to vomit, although the incidence was significantly reduced compared with placebo (72% and 83% versus 91%, P < 0.01). Both drugs also resulted in significantly fewer vomiting episodes (P < 0.001), lower nausea scores (P < 0.05) and a lower incidence of patients requiring treatment for PONV (P < 0.01). Compared with droperidol, the risk of vomiting after ondansetron was less (odds ratio 0.5, CI 0.3-1.0). Ondansetron resulted in fewer vomiting episodes (P < 0.05) and a higher percentage of patients free of nausea after six hours postoperatively (P < 0.05). In patients with a past history of PONV, both drugs had a similar short-lived antiemetic effect, reducing the incidence of vomiting and the need for treatment while in the recovery room, but not thereafter. Droperidol was associated with significantly less headache (P < 0.05), but higher early sedation scores (P < 0.05). Although, compared to placebo, both droperidol and ondansetron administered intraoperatively reduced vomiting after major abdominal gynaecological surgery, the incidence during the first 24 postoperative hours was very high in all groups. Ondansetron reduced the risk of experiencing nausea after six hours postoperatively and the risk of vomiting, with respect to the total number of episodes, in the first 24 hours. It was no better than droperidol, however, in reducing the incidence of vomiting or the need for antiemetic treatment during the first postoperative day, whether or not patients had a past history of PONV. It was no better than droperidol, however, in reducing the incidence of vomiting or the need for antiemetic treatment during the first postoperative day, whether or not patients had a past history of PONV.

Abdomen↗

Rectal indomethacin potentiates spinal morphine analgesia after caesarean delivery.

This double-blind, randomized study was designed to evaluate the use of indomethacin (Indocid, MSD) following caesarean delivery performed under spinal anaesthesia. Thirty ASA I-II women presenting for elective caesarean were recruited. Spinal anaesthesia was performed in a standard manner using hyperbaric bupivacaine, fentanyl and morphine. At the completion of surgery, subjects were administered two rectal suppositories, followed by 12-hourly suppositories for six doses (three days). The study group received 100 mg indomethacin suppositories and controls were given placebo (Anusol). Data collected included Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores at rest and with movement, VAS scores for nausea and itch, and analgesic use. Demographic data were similar in the two groups. Median time to first analgesia (TTFA) was nine hours in the control group v. 39.5 hours in the indomethacin group (P < 0.003). Additional analgesic requests throughout the postoperative period were less in women who received indomethacin: 4 v 11 (P < 0.001). Women who received indomethacin had significantly less pain on the first postoperative day, especially on movement: mean VAS 1.4 v 5.1 (P < 0.00001). There were no reported adverse neonatal or maternal effects from the use of indomethacin. Rectal indomethacin use following caesarean delivery leads to significantly improved pain relief compared with placebo. The combination of spinal morphine and rectal indomethacin leads to high-quality postoperative analgesia.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗

Tunnelled epidural catheters for routine use: description of a technique.

A simple technique for routine tunnelling of epidural catheters is described. It represents a simplified version of subcutaneous tunnelling as commonly performed in chronic pain patients. In 200 obstetric and gynaecological patients to date, only two catheters have become dislodged prematurely.

Analgesia, Epidural↗