Comparison of the analgesic effects of intrabursal oxycodone and bupivacaine after acromioplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the peripheral analgesic effect of oxycodone, an opioid agonist, to the effect of bupivacaine infiltration and parenteral oxycodone administration in conjunction with shoulder surgery.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, double-blind study.


METHODS
University teaching hospital.


METHODS
42 ASA physical status I and II patients scheduled for shoulder surgery with general anesthesia.


METHODS
Patients were randomized to three study groups: at the end of the surgery patients received either 10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine (group BIB) or 5 mg of oxycodone in 10 ml of saline (group OIB) in the subacromial bursa; or 5 mg of oxycodone intramuscularly (group OIM). Postoperative analgesia was provided by patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).


RESULTS
The fentanyl requirements were recorded for the 24-hour postoperative period and the total perioperative period. Postoperative pain was assessed by visual analog scale for pain (VASP). Plasma oxycodone concentrations were measured in groups OIB and OIM. The total perioperative fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in groups BIB (0.97 +/- 0.09 mg) and OIB (1.23 +/- 0.12 mg) than in group OIM (1.61 +/- 0.12 mg) (p = 0.01 and 0.048, respectively). Groups BIB and OIB were similar (p = 0.34). The absorption of oxycodone was significantly lower after subacromial than after intramuscular administration.


CONCLUSIONS
Intrabursal oxycodone and intrabursal bupivacaine reduced perioperative analgesic requirements similarly. Intrabursal oxycodone may offer an effective, simple, and safe method for postoperative analgesia after shoulder surgery.
Department of Anesthesiology, Turku University Hospital, Finland.
P A
PA
Muittari
O
O
Nelimarkka
T
T
Seppälä
J H
JH
Kanto
O A
OA
Kirvelä
D000174:Acromion / Q000601:surgery*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002045:Bupivacaine; D002061:Bursa, Synovial; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010098:Oxycodone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D010098:Oxycodone; D002045:Bupivacaine