Comparison of Epidural and Systemic Tramadol for Analgesia Following Ovariohysterectomy

Abstract

The objective of the study was to compare epidural and systemic tramadol for postoperative analgesia in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Twenty animals, randomly divided into two groups, received either epidural (EPI) or intramuscular (IM) tramadol (2 mg/kg) 30 min before anesthetic induction. Analgesia, sedation, cardiorespiratory parameters, end-tidal isoflurane, blood catecholamines and cortisol, and arterial blood gases were measured at different time points up to 24 hr after agent administration. There were no differences between the two groups regarding cardiorespiratory parameters, end-tidal isoflurane, and pain scores. Two dogs in the IM and one in the EPI group required supplemental analgesia. Cortisol was increased (P<0.05) at 120 min (3.59 μg/dL and 3.27 μg/dL in the IM and EPI groups, respectively) and 240 min (2.45 μg/dL and 2.54 μg/dL in the IM and EPI groups, respectively) compared to baseline. Norepinephrine was also increased (P<0.05) at 120 min in both groups compared to baseline values. Epinephrine values were higher (P<0.05) in the IM group compared with the EPI group at 50 min, 120 min, and 1,440 min after tramadol administration. Epidural tramadol is a safe analgesic, but does not appear to have improved analgesic effects compared with IM administration.

Effects of epidural anesthesia with tramadol, ropivacaine or tramadol-ropivacaine combination, in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy under anesthesia with isoflurane

“…On the other hand, in an experimental cranial cruciate ligament replacement surgery, isolated ED tramadol at a dosage of 1.0 mg kg-1 was efficient (GUEDES et al, 2002). Other authors reporting on studies using ropivacaine and tramadol alone or in combination did not consider the analgesic effect during the transoperative period, and evaluated only the postoperative period (PAOLOZZI et al, 2011;MASTROCINQUE et al, 2012;MORGAZ et al, 2013;SOUZA et al, 2013).…”

“…The short duration of the surgical procedure is also an important factor in maintaining the temperature. This method of maintaining body temperature was also used by Mastrocinque et al (2012) to maintain the body temperature above 37.5 °C in animals subjected to inhalation anesthesia combined with ED anesthesia during OSH. The elevation of temperature, the use of thermal blankets or mattresses in contact with the patient, as well as the infusion of heated solutions can also be used (CORTOPASSI;FANTONI, 2010).…”

“…The effect of these drugs is dose-dependent and their side effects can be reduced by a combination of drugs or anesthetic techniques, as employed in this study (TONNER, 2005;BORGES et al, 2008). We used the recommended dose of propofol with premedication and the concentration of isoflurane was below its minimum alveolar concentration, which is 1.4 v% (MASTROCINQUE et al, 2012). The anesthetic concentration varies with the methodology and drugs used.…”

“…Bosmans et al (2011) maintained dogs under anesthesia using 1.8 v% isoflurane during orthopedic surgery along with epidural methadone and ropivacaine or a combination of methadoneropivacaine. While Mastrocinque et al (2012) used 1.4 v% isoflurane in bitches undergoing OSH along with ED tramadol combined with lidocaine. According to Valadão et al (2002) and Natalini et al (2011), general anesthesia combined with locoregional epidurally administered prophylactics with opioids and local anesthetics decreases inhalational anesthetic concentration required to maintain adequate anesthesia during the surgical procedure.…”

Effects of tramadol on tear production, intraocular pressure, and pupil size in dogs: clinical study

“…Em cães, o tramadol reduz a concentração alveolar mínima do sevofluorano sem induzir efeitos deletérios cardiocirculatórios (ITAMI et al, 2012), além de produzir analgesia satisfatória no pós-operatório de cirurgias de castração e de mandibulectomia (ALMEIDA et al, 2010;MARTINS, 2010;MASTROCINQUE et al, 2012). Experimentalmente, o fármaco também eleva o limiar nociceptivo em cães e comparativamente à morfina e ao remifentanil, é menos imunossupressor (KUKANICH & PAPICH, 2011).…”