Fentanyl-sparing effect of acetaminophen as a mixture of fentanyl in intravenous parent-/nurse-controlled analgesia after pediatric ureteroneocystostomy.
BACKGROUND
Although acetaminophen has been used widely and is well tolerated in children, its efficacy and safety have not been clarified when combined with an opioid in intravenous parent-/nurse-controlled postoperative analgesia.


METHODS
Sixty-three children (aged 6-24 months) who had undergone elective ureteroneocystostomies were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. After the surgery, an analgesic pump was programmed to deliver fentanyl at a basal infusion rate of 0.25 microg.kg(-1).h(-1) and 0.25 microg/kg bolus after a loading dose of 0.5 microg/kg(-1). In the fentanyl-acetaminophen group, acetaminophen was coadministered as a solution mixture at a basal infusion rate of 1.5 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) and 1.5 mg/kg bolus after a loading dose of 15 mg/kg, whereas saline was administered to the fentanyl group.


RESULTS
Postoperative pain scores were similar between the two groups. The total dose (micrograms per kilogram per day, mean+/-SD) of fentanyl at postoperative days 1 (8.3+/-3.7 vs. 18.1+/-4.6, P=0.021) and 2 (7.0+/-2.4 vs. 16.6, P=0.042) was significantly less in the fentanyl-acetaminophen group compared with that in the fentanyl group. The incidences of vomiting (16.1 vs. 56.3%, P=0.011) and sedation (9.7 vs. 46.9%, P=0.019) were significantly lower in the fentanyl-acetaminophen group than those in the fentanyl group.


CONCLUSIONS
Acetaminophen has significant fentanyl-sparing effects and reduces side effects when combined with fentanyl in intravenous parent-/nurse-controlled analgesia for postoperative pediatric pain management.
Hong
Jeong-Yeon
JY
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Won Oak
WO
Koo
Bon Nyeo
BN
Cho
Jin Sun
JS
Suk
Eun H
EH
Kil
Hae Keum
HK
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / Q000379:methods*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003559:Cystostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010290:Parents; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014519:Ureterostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000082:Acetaminophen; D005283:Fentanyl