PATIENT-CONTROLLED INTRANASAL ANALGESIA - A METHOD FOR NONINVASIVE POSTOPERATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT

Recently, a new device for patient-controlled intranasal analgesia (PC INA) was described, and a pilot study demonstrated promising results w ith respect to efficacy and patient satisfaction. The present study co mpares PCINA with intravenous (IV) patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Fifty orthopedic patients were prospectively studied over an 8-h peri od on the first day after surgery. The patients were randomly allocate d to PCINA group (n = 25) or to an IV PCA group (n = 25). Pain intensi ty was evaluated at 30-min intervals using a 101-point numerical ratin g scale. With respect to initial pain intensity, there was no signific ant intergroup difference. At the 30- to 480-min measurement points pa in intensity in the PCINA group (P < 0.0001) and the IV PCA group (P < 0.0001) was significantly less as compared to the initial value. Ther e was no significant intergroup difference in pain intensity. No patie nt had problems using the PCINA device. The present study demonstrates , that PCINA provides relief of postoperative pain as effectively as I V PCA.