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The impact of intraoperative propofol administration in the prevention of postoperative pruritus induced by epidural morphine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2006

G. Kostopanagiotou
Affiliation:
University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, School of Medicine, 2nd Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Athens, Greece
A. Pandazi
Affiliation:
University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, School of Medicine, 2nd Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Athens, Greece
S. Matiatou
Affiliation:
University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, School of Medicine, 2nd Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Athens, Greece
S. Kontogiannopoulou
Affiliation:
University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, School of Medicine, 2nd Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Athens, Greece
P. Matsota
Affiliation:
University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, School of Medicine, 2nd Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Athens, Greece
D. Niokou
Affiliation:
University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, School of Medicine, 2nd Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Athens, Greece
M. Kitsou
Affiliation:
University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, School of Medicine, 2nd Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Athens, Greece
E. Crepi
Affiliation:
University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, School of Medicine, 2nd Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Athens, Greece
K. Christodoulaki
Affiliation:
University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, School of Medicine, 2nd Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Athens, Greece
I. Grigoropoulou
Affiliation:
University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, School of Medicine, 2nd Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Athens, Greece
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Abstract

Summary

Background and objective: We examined the efficacy of intraoperative propofol administration to prevent pruritus induced by epidural morphine. Methods: Seventy patients ASA I–II undergoing combined epidural and general anaesthesia for hysterectomy were randomly assigned to two groups, Group P where anaesthesia was induced with propofol and fentanyl and maintained with propofol-nitrous oxide and Group S in which anaesthesia was induced with thiopental and fentanyl and maintained with sevoflurane-nitrous oxide. All patients received a ropivacaine epidural bolus with 3 mg morphine 1 h before the end of surgery. The incidence and severity of pruritus were evaluated every 4 h for the first 12 h postoperatively by blinded observers. Results: The total incidence of pruritus was significantly higher (P = 0.024) in Group S (65.6%) compared to Group P (29%) between 4 and 8 h postoperatively. There were also significantly more patients (P = 0.03) reporting severe pruritus in Group S (22%) compared to Group P (0). Conclusion: Propofol-based general anaesthesia compared to thiopental–sevoflurane-based anaesthesia reduces the incidence and severity of pruritus induced by a single injection of 3 mg epidural morphine with ropivacaine.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
2006 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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