Morphine vs Sufentanil PCA: Same Same or Different?

Overview

Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCA) has already proven its quality. However, with new strategies starting to emerge and the current concept of opioid sparing, it is a goal to find the optimal PCA strategy capable of improve patient satisfaction and, at the same time, individualize opioid dose. In a prospected randomized study, it was compared the use of Sufentanil Sublingual PCA System with intravenous PCA Morphine in terms of postoperative pain control satisfaction, total dose of opioid required, adverse effects, impact on the quality of postoperative recovery and the incidence of postoperative chronic pain.

In a prospected randomized study, it was compared the use of Sufentanil Sublingual PCA System (15mcg per tablet, 20 minutes lockout) with intravenous PCA Morphine based on 1mg morphine on-demand 10 minutes lockout and a baseline perfusion of 1mg/hour. 45 patients capable of comply a PCA regime submitted to total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty and abdominal hysterectomy were enrolled in the study. During the first 48 hours, it was accessed daily pain scores, PCA use, need for rescue therapy, adverse effects, global satisfaction as well as postoperative quality recovery. Brief Pain Inventory was performed before surgery and 4 months later.

Conditions