The analgesic efficacy of continuous elastomeric pump ropivacaine wound instillation after appendectomy

• Published in: Journal of clinical anesthesia 2007-06, Vol.19 (4), p.256-263
• Main Authors: Ansaloni, Luca, MD, Agnoletti, Vanni, MD, Bettini, Dario, MD, Caira, Antonio, MD, Calli, Morena, MD, Catena, Fausto, MD, Celotti, Miria, MD, De Cataldis, Angelo, MD, Gagliardi, Stefano, MD, Gasperoni, Emmanuel, MD, Leone, Antonio, MD, Melotti, Rita Maria, MD, Potalivo, Antonella, MD, Simoncini, Gabriella, MD, Taffurelli, Mario, MD, Di Nino, Gianfranco, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdomen; Adolescent; Adult; Amides - administration & dosage; Amides - adverse effects; Analgesic techniques, infusion; Analgesics, postoperative; Anesthesia; Anesthesia & Perioperative Care; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Anesthetics local, ropivacaine; Anesthetics, Local - administration & dosage; Appendectomy; Biological and medical sciences; Blood; Double-Blind Method; Drug dosages; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Infusion Pumps; Male; Medical sciences; Nosocomial infections; Pain; Pain Medicine; Pain, postoperative; Pain, Postoperative - drug therapy; Patient satisfaction; Prospective Studies; Surgery; Surgery, abdominal; Surgery, appendectomy; Wound healing; Wounds and Injuries
• ISSN: 0952-8180; 1873-4529
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2006.12.005

Abstract Study Objective To evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of ropivacaine 0.2% when administered continuously via elastomeric pump after appendectomy. Design Prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. Setting Surgical ward of a university hospital. Patients 96 ASA physical status I and II patients of at least 14 years of age, undergoing appendectomy through a McBurney incision. Interventions Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: 500 mg of ropivacaine in 48 hours (10 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine 20 mg, starter dose plus 5 mL/h continuous wound infusion via elastomeric pump device; n = 48) in the experimental group and 250 mL of normal saline, as placebo, in the control group. Measurements Postappendectomy pain, measured either with a simple verbal scale or with a visual analog scale, parenteral analgesic consumption, and global satisfaction were all measured. Main Results A reduction in postoperative pain was observed in the ropivacaine group. Degree of pain, with a simple verbal scale measurement of severe and unbearable, was significantly lower in the ropivacaine group than in the normal saline group from time 0 to 24 hours at rest and from time 0 to 36 hours on coughing. A significant lower pain intensity (visual analog scale) was found in the ropivacaine group both at rest and on coughing, beginning at three hours and continuing to 36 hours postoperatively. The mean number of rescue analgesic doses was significantly lower in the ropivacaine group. There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of adverse events between the two groups. Conclusions Wound instillation with ropivacaine 0.2% is a useful, practical, and safe method for management of postoperative pain after appendectomy.