[Fuzzy logic and postoperative pain].
OBJECTIVE
To apply a fuzzy logic expert control system for the treatment of postoperative pain in a clinical setting.


METHODS
A system was designed consisting of a perfusion pump guided by a fuzzy logic computer interface to regulate the perfusion of alfentanil in accordance with the patient's pain response. The system was also equipped with a safety device that halted perfusion in case of desaturation, bradypnea or heart rate or blood pressure variations greater than 25%. The system was used in the first 90 minutes after surgery in a patient who underwent bilateral saphenectomy.


RESULTS
All system functions worked properly, maintaining the target analgesic values (visual analog scale < or = 2) 77% of the time.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to use fuzzy logic to obtain adequate treatment of postoperative pain.
Carregal
A
A
Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación, Hospital do Meixoeiro, Vigo.
Figueira
A
A
Núñez
M
M
Carollo
A
A
Lorenzo
A
A
Rey
M
M
González
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005103:Expert Systems; D005260:Female; D017143:Fuzzy Logic; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000700:Analgesics