Analgesic effects of tramadol during panretinal photocoagulation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of tramadol for the reduction of pain in panretinal photocoagulation (PRP).


METHODS
A double-masked randomized controlled study was performed. Fifty-eight eyes in 29 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy were enrolled. The eyes of the patients were randomized into two groups. Group A received an empty capsule. Group B received an oral intake of 100 mg tramadol. The capsule used in Group A had the same appearance as that used in Group B. Pain during PRP was assessed using a visual analog scale. Vital signs, including blood pressure and heart rate, were measured.


RESULTS
The mean pain scores for groups A and B were 4.80+/-2.10 and 3.83+/-1.82 (p=0.09). There were no significant differences in the mean pain scores between the two groups. More patients in group A complained of greater pain than moderate intensity (visual analogue scale=4). Systemic blood pressure increased significantly in group A after laser treatment. However, there were no significant differences in the diastolic blood pressure changes between the two groups. We found no statistical correlation in the heart rate changes.


CONCLUSIONS
We failed to prove that tramadol is effective for pain relief because of the small sample size. However, tramadol was effective for the relief of more severe pain. It was also found to stabilize vital sign changes, such as systolic blood pressure during PRP.
Ko
Byoung-Woo
BW
Department of Ophthalmology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Shim
Jae-Hang
JH
Lee
Byung-Ro
BR
Cho
Hee-Yoon
HY
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014147:Tramadol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000601:surgery*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014147:Tramadol