Search
"To evaluate the outcomes of the different drug combination and infusion techniques for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)" Wang et al (2021).

Abstract:

Abstract:

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of the different drug combination and infusion techniques for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).

Methods: Ninety-seven patients who had undergone spinal tumor surgery were randomized to 4 groups with different PCA drugs and infusion techniques: subcutaneous sufentanil (SS) group; (n=25), subcutaneous sufentanil and dexmedetomidine (SDS) group (n=24), intravenous sufentanil (SI) group (n=23), and intravenous sufentanil and dexmedetomidine (SDI) group (n=25). The primary outcome measured the cumulative amount of sufentanil delivered to the patients through PCA 24 and 48 hours after the surgery. Secondary outcomes measured the visual analog scale pain scores 24 and 48 hours after the surgery, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index before and 1 month after surgery, Athens Insomnia Score before and the first 2 nights after surgery, and the rate of adverse events within 48 hours after surgery.

Findings: At 24 and 48 hours after surgery, the cumulative amount of sufentanil in the SDS group (mean [SD], 76.44 [10.75] at 24 hours and 151.96 [20.92] at 48 hours) and the SDI group (mean [SD], 75.08 [9.00] at 24 hours and 149.56 [18.22] at 48 hours) were significantly lower than in SS group (mean [SD] 95.52 [12.40] at 24 hours and 183.23 [23.06] at 48 hours) and the SI group (mean [SD], 97.25 [10.80] at 24 hours and 186.67 [20.14] at 48 hours; P < 0.001). The visual analog scale pain scores and Athens Insomnia Scale scores were also lower in the SDS and SDI groups than in the SS and SI groups 24 and 48 hours after surgery (P < 0.05). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was lower in the SDS and SDI groups 1 month after surgery. Lastly, the rate of nausea and vomiting was higher in the SI group than in the SS, SDS, and SDI groups (P = 0.018).

Implications: Dexmedetomidine in PCA could decrease sufentanil intake and improve analgesic effect and sleep quality. Subcutaneous PCA can provide the same benefit with a lower rate of nausea and vomiting. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04111328.

Reference:

Wang J, Cui L, Fan L, Wang J. Clinical Effect of Different Drugs and Infusion Techniques for Patient-Controlled Analgesia After Spinal Tumor Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial. Clin Ther. 2021 May 2:S0149-2918(21)00154-5. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.03.019. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33952398.