Sufentanil-sparing effect of ketorolac tromethamine for postoperative analgesisisia in the elderly patients

Objective To evaluate the sufentanil-sparing effect of ketorolac tromethamine for postoperative analgesia in the elderly patients.Methods Sixty ASA Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients,aged ≥ 65 yr,with a body mass index of 18-24 kg/m2,undergoing elective gynecological operations,were randomly divided into 2 groups(n =30 each):sufentanil group(group S)and ketorolac tromethamine plus sufentanil group(group T).Both groups received combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA)after operation.PCIA solution contained ketorolac tromethamine 180 mg and sufentanil 100 μg in 100 ml of normal saline in group T.After a loading dose of ketorolac tromethamine 30 mg was injected intravenously at 15 min before the end of operation,the PCA pump was set up with a 1.6 ml bolus dose,a 20 rain lockout interval and background infusion at a rate of 1.5 ml/h in group T.PCIA solution contained sufentanil 100 μg in 100 ml of normal saline in group S.After a loading dose of sufentanil 5 μg was injected intravenously at 15 min before the end of operation,the PCA pump was set up with a 1.6 ml bolus dose,a 20 min lockout interval and background infusion at a rate of 1.5 ml/h in group S.The effective analgesia(postoperative VAS scores at rest and during activity ＜ 3)was maintained within 48 h after operation.The amount of sufentanil consumed within 48 h after operation and adverse effects were recorded.Results Compared with group S,the amount of sufentanil consumed within 48 h after operation was significantly reduced,and the incidence of nausea and vomiting,urinary retention and pruritus was significantly decreased in group T(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Ketorolac tromethamine used with PCIA with sufenlanil has a significant sufentanil-sparing effecl for posloperative analgesia and improves the safety of analgesia in the elderly patients. Key words: Ketorolac tromethamine; Sufentanil; Aged; Postoperative analgesia