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We have evaluated the morphine-sparing effect of rectal paracetamol during the first 24 h after abdominal hysterectomy in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. We studied 72 patients receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with i.v. morphine after a standardized anaesthetic, allocated randomly to receive rectal paracetamol 1.3 g, diclofenac 50 mg or placebo, after wound closure and at 8 and 16 h. Suppositories were blinded by the hospital pharmacy. Study violations excluded data from seven patients. Patient data, morphine doses during anaesthesia and recovery, and sedation and nausea scores were comparable. Mean morphine consumption during PCA was 35.0 (SD 20.4) mg, 32.7 (27.4) mg and 54.9 (28.3) mg in the paracetamol (n = 24), diclofenac (n = 20) and placebo (n = 21) groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Morphine sparing during PCA for paracetamol and diclofenac (36% vs 40% over 24 h) was significant from 4 h. Global scores of average pain over 24 h were lower after diclofenac compared with paracetamol (P < 0.01) and placebo (P = 0.08). We conclude that rectal paracetamol was an efficacious adjuvant analgesic after regular dosing.

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UNLABELLED: We compared the effects of i.v. tramadol (1.25 mg/kg), codeine (1 mg/kg), morphine (0.125 mg/kg), and saline on gastric emptying in 10 healthy human volunteers using a double-blind, randomized, cross-over design. Subjects received one treatment at each of four sessions, 2 wk apart. Gastric emptying was studied using the paracetamol absorption test. There were significant differences when comparing all treatments for concentration-time data (P = 0.002), peak serum paracetamol concentrations (Cmax; P < 0.001), times at Cmax (Tmax; P = 0.003), and areas under the curves from Time 0 to 360 min (AUC(0-360); P = 0.049). Morphine profoundly inhibited gastric emptying. Tramadol had measurable but statistically insignificant inhibitory effects on gastric emptying compared with saline (mean +/- SEM: Cmax 22.4 +/- 2.2 vs 26.8 +/- 2.5 mg/L [P = 0.19], Tmax 33 +/- 5.4 vs 19.5 +/- 2.3 min [P = 0.054] for tramadol versus saline, respectively). Compared with morphine, the Cmax (P < 0.01), Tmax, and AUC(0-360) (P < 0.05) values for tramadol were significantly different. The Tmax value for codeine (63.3 +/- 11.7) was greater than that for tramadol (P = 0.034). We conclude that tramadol has a measurable but smaller inhibitory effect on gastric emptying compared with other opioids. IMPLICATIONS: We compared the effect of tramadol, an unconventional opioid painkiller, on stomach emptying with that of codeine and morphine in a human volunteer study. Tramadol had a measurable but smaller effect and may have clinical and economic advantages in acute pain management compared with conventional painkillers.

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In a prospective, double-blind trial we compared the analgesic efficacy of tramadol during the first 24 h after day case laparoscopic sterilisation with two commonly prescribed combination analgesics. Seventy-five women were allocated randomly to receive oral paracetamol 325 mg/dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride 32.5 mg, tramadol 50 mg or paracetamol 500 mg/codeine phosphate 30 mg as required after a standardised anaesthetic technique. There were no significant differences in average or worst pain, sleep disturbance, mobility, number of tablets taken, satisfaction or preference for stronger analgesia (26.2% of all patients). The incidences of nausea and vomiting were comparable between groups. There was a trend towards a lower incidence of central nervous system side-effects (drowsiness, dizziness, headache) in the paracetamol/codeine group. Tramadol may be considered an alternative analgesic for day case surgery although analgesic regimens of greater efficacy are required for many patients. The relative incidence of side-effects for tramadol and other analgesics requires further evaluation.

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We have studied, in 37 adult patients, the anatomy of the sacral extradural (caudal) space using magnetic resonance imaging. The sacrococcygeal membrane (SCM) could not be detected in 10.8% of patients. The maximum depth of the caudal space adjacent to the SCM was beneath the upper third of the SCM in more than 90% of patients (mean depth 4.6 mm; range 1.0-8.0 mm). The shortest linear distance from the dura to the upper limit of the SCM varied considerably (60.5 mm; 34-80 mm) as did the volume of the caudal space excluding the foraminae and dural sac (14.4 cm3; 9.5-26.6 cm3). The dimensions of the caudal space and their variability have implications for clinical practice and a knowledge of these dimensions may increase both the reliability and safety of caudal techniques in adult patients.

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Generalized arteriolar vasospasm and subsequent damage to vascular endothelium are fundamental to the development of preeclampsia. A possible mechanism underlying this involves increased deportation of trophoblast cells into maternal venous circulation with 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) release as a consequence of platelet aggregation onto these fragments. Ketanserin, a 5-HT(2) receptor blocker, has been used successfully to treat preeclampsia. An examination of the therapeutic role of ketanserin indicates that there should now be a much more detailed assessment of serotonin antagonists in the treatment and prophylaxis of preeclampsia and eclampsia.

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