COMPARISON OF RESPIRATORY EFFECTS OF TRAMADOL AND OXYCODONE

Study Objective: To compare the respiratory effects of tramadol and ox ycodone.Design: Placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study. Se tting: IV Department of Surgery Helsinki University Central Hospital. Patients: 36 ASA physical status I and II patients undergoing minor su rgery with general anesthesia. Interventions: The respiratory effects of intravenous (IV) tramadol 0.6 mg/kg and oxycodone 0.04 mg/kg were c ompared after induction of anesthesia with propofol and succinylcholin e-facilitated endotracheal intubation. Patients spontaneously breathed halothane in 70% nitrous oxide and oxygen via a nonrebreathing valve. The trial drugs or placebo were given after recovery from neuromuscul ar block. Measurements and Main Results: Inspiratory and expiratory ox ygen and end-tidal carbon dioxide concentrations (ETCO2), tidal volume (V-T), minute volume of ventilation (V-E), and respiratory rate (RR) were recorded by side-stream spirometry with end-tidal halothane of 0. 3% for 30 minutes before surgery. Oxycodene caused a significant respi ratory depression seen as an increase in the inspiratory-expiratory ox ygen difference and ETCO2, and as a decrease in V-E, and RR. On the co ntrary, the effects of tramadol were similar to those of placebo. V-T was not affected by any study drug. Conclusion: Tramadol was not assoc iated with respiratory depression in the present setting. (C) 1997 by Elsevier Science Inc.