The pain control infusion pump for postoperative pain control in shoulder surgery.
OBJECTIVE
This study was initiated to evaluate the effect of a pain control infusion catheter in managing postoperative pain.


METHODS
In a prospective, randomized trial, 62 consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopic subacromial decompression had an indwelling pain control infusion catheter placed at the operative site.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients received 0.25% bupivacaine and 31 patients received saline infusions, each at a constant rate of 2 mL per hour. Patients evaluated their pain by visual analog scale, and also tabulated the amount of narcotic and nonnarcotic medication used each day in the first week of surgery.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant difference in pain in all parameters tested in the bupivacaine group as compared with the saline control group (P <.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The bupivacaine pain control infusion pump is an effective means of decreasing postoperative pain.
Savoie
F H
FH
Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, Jackson, MS 39202, USA. busavoie@aol.com
Field
L D
LD
Jenkins
R N
RN
Mallon
W J
WJ
Phelps
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012782:Shoulder / Q000601:surgery*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002045:Bupivacaine