Managing post-thoracotomy pain: Epidural or systemic analgesia and extended care - A randomized study with an "as usual" control group.

Background and aims Thoracotomies can cause severe pain, which persists in 21-67% of patients. We investigated whether NSAID + intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) with morphine is an efficacious alternative to thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA). We also wanted to find out whether an extended controlled pain management protocol within a clinical study can decrease the incidence of persistent post-thoracotomy pain.

New approach for treatment of prolonged postoperative pain: APS Out-Patient Clinic.

Background And Aims: Persistent postoperative pain (PPP) is a significant clinical problem. Several patient-related risk factors for PPP have been identified, including a previous chronic pain problem, young age, female gender and psychological vulnerability. Intra- and postoperative risk factors include surgical complications such as infections, haematoma, nerve damage and repeated surgery.

The effect of paracetamol and tropisetron on pain: experimental studies and a review of published data.

Experimental studies suggest that paracetamol-induced analgesia is mediated via central serotonergic pathways and attenuated by 5-HT3-antagonists. However, clinical studies do not support this, and 5-HT3-antagonists are expected to reduce pain by blocking the descending pronociceptive pathway. The current project tested whether tropisetron attenuates analgesia by paracetamol.

[Robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy].

Robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is an established method in the treatment of localized prostatic cancer. The equipment comprises a separate control console that makes ergonomic working possible. The optics creates a three-dimensional view and 10 to 15-fold magnification, thus enabling accurate operation.

Do surgical patients benefit from perioperative gabapentin/pregabalin? A systematic review of efficacy and safety.

Background: Gabapentin and pregabalin have antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic properties useful for treating neuropathic pain. These properties may also be beneficial in acute postoperative pain. In this study we evaluated randomized, controlled trials examining the analgesic efficacy, adverse effects, and clinical value of gabapentinoids in postoperative pain.