[The effects of the administration of subfacial levobupivacaine infusion with the ON-Q pain pump system on postoperative analgesia and tramadol consumption in cesarean operations].
OBJECTIVE
In this study, the effects of administration of subfacial levobupivacaine infusion with the ON-Q pain pump system were investigated in elective cesarean operations for postoperative pain control and tramadol-sparing effect.


METHODS
Fifty ASA I-II patients scheduled for cesarean operation were enrolled into this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group I served as a control group, without the ON-Q pain pump system, whereas Group II received the ON-Q pain pump system with subfacial 0.25% levobupivacaine infusion for 24 hours at 4 ml/hour. All patients received a standard anesthetic protocol. At the end of the surgery, all patients received tramadol i.v. Via a PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia) device. Pain scores were assessed at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively. Tramadol consumption and adverse effects were noted in the first 24 hours following surgery.


RESULTS
The pain scores were significantly lower in the levobupivacaine group when compared with the control group (p<0.05). The cumulative tramadol consumption was lower in the levobupivacaine group than in the control group (p<0.05). Group II used less antiemetic and had less postoperative nausea and vomiting, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
No complication occurred as a result of the ON-Q pain pump system. Subfacial levobupivacaine infusion with the ON-Q pain pump system diminished postoperative pain and the need for tramadol use following cesarean operations.
Tuncer
Sema
S
Department of Algology, Selçuk University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey. tuncersema@hotmail.com
Aysolmaz
Gökhan
G
Reisli
Ruhiye
R
Erol
Atilla
A
Yalçin
Naime
N
Yosunkaya
Alper
A
D000328:Adult; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D000077554:Levobupivacaine; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014147:Tramadol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D014147:Tramadol; D000077554:Levobupivacaine; D002045:Bupivacaine