title: Intraperitoneal medetomidine: a novel analgesic strategy for postoperative pain management in pregnant sheep.
abstract: The absorption of medetomidine released by continuous infusion from an osmotic pump in the abdominal cavity was studied in pregnant sheep during the 24 h postoperative period. Additionally pain and sedation was assessed. Eleven sheep were studied: six were treated with a medetomidine loaded osmotic pump delivering 10 µL/h (3 µg/kg/h medetomidine); and five with a saline loaded osmotic pump (control). Serial blood samples were taken and analysed to determine plasma medetomidine levels. Medetomidine was absorbed from the peritoneal cavity and a steady plasma concentration was achieved within 10 h, mean (SD) peak concentration was 2.87 (0.22) ng/mL. Sheep receiving medetomidine analgesia had significantly lower pain scores at 10 h than controls. Four control sheep required rescue analgesia, compared with 0 in the treatment group. Delivery of 3 µg/kg/h medetomidine by an intraperitoneal osmotic pump to pregnant sheep in the 24 h postoperative period provides adequate plasma concentrations of medetomidine for analgesia without sedation.
authors: School of Veterinary and Clinical Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia. frasermurdoch@hotmail.com
authors: F R
authors: FR
authors: Murdoch
authors: G L
authors: GL
authors: Maker
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Nitsos
authors: G R
authors: GR
authors: Polglase
authors: G C
authors: GC
authors: Musk
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000662:veterinary*; D020926:Medetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D020926:Medetomidine