Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: The study was conducted prospectively over a 15-month period. A total of 27 patients admitted to the hospital with multiple rib fractures were studied. Buprenorphine at a concentration of 0.3 mg in 5-10 ml normal saline was administered epidurally, twice daily the first 24 h, thereafter once daily. Ventilatory function tests (including vital capacity, tidal volume, respiratory rate, and minute volume) and assessment of pain intensity using a simple, categorical, verbal rating scale were obtained before and after institution of analgesia. Any nausea, vomiting, hypotension, urinary retention, respiratory depression or pruritus were recorded. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: Epidurally introduced narcotic, like buprenorphine in saline, has been found to be effective in our study to achieve adequate analgesia in treatment of patients with multiple rib fractures. In addition, this methodology of pain relief eliminates the costly delivery system and early discharge, and allows walking epidurals and follow-up on outpatient basis.
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Authors | Ramasamy Govindarajan, T Bakalova, R Michael, A R Abadir |
Journal | Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
(Acta Anaesthesiol Scand)
Vol. 46
Issue 6
Pg. 660-5
(Jul 2002)
ISSN: 0001-5172 [Print] England |
PMID | 12059888
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Analgesics, Opioid
- Buprenorphine
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Topics |
- Analgesia, Epidural
- Analgesics, Opioid
(therapeutic use)
- Buprenorphine
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pain
(drug therapy, physiopathology)
- Pain Measurement
- Prospective Studies
- Pulmonary Ventilation
(drug effects)
- Respiratory Function Tests
- Rib Fractures
(drug therapy)
- Tidal Volume
(drug effects)
- Time Factors
- Vital Capacity
(drug effects)
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