Intravenous regional anaesthesia using lignocaine and tramadol.
BACKGROUND
This prospective, randomised, double-blind study was designed to assess if the addition of 50 mg tramadol to 30 mL 0.5% lignocaine would improve the efficacy of intravenous regional anaesthesia.


METHODS
Fifty-four adult patients undergoing upper limb surgery were randomly allocated to receive either 30 mL 0.5% lignocaine and 1 mL normal saline (group A) or 30 mL 0.5% lignocaine and 50 mg tramadol (group B). They were then assessed for onset of sensory and motor block and the VbAS score for tourniquet pain.


RESULTS
Although more patients in group B had a faster onset of sensory and motor block, this was not significantly different. Patients in group B had a significantly lower VbAS score 30 min after tourniquet inflation and after change over to the distal tourniquet (P < 0.05). There were no complaints of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Two patients in group B developed localised skin urticaria of the forearm which resolved with the release of the tourniquet.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a positive trend that tramadol might improve the quality of intravenous regional anaesthesia.
Tan
S M
SM
Department of Anaesthesia and Surgical Intensive Care, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore 529889.
Pay
L L
LL
Chan
S T
ST
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000379:methods*; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001132:Arm / Q000601:surgery; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012846:Singapore; D014111:Tourniquets; D014147:Tramadol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D014147:Tramadol; D008012:Lidocaine