Lipszyc, M., Winters, E., Engelman, E., Baurain, M., & Barvais, L. (2011). Remifentanil patient-controlled analgesia effect-site target-controlled infusion compared with morphine patient-controlled analgesia for treatment of acute pain after uterine artery embolization. BJA: The British Journal of Anaesthesia, 106(5), 724–731.
To compare the analgesic effects of remifentanil target-controlled infusion via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to morphine PCA after uterine artery embolization
Nineteen patients were randomized into either the remifentanil group or the morphine group. Pain was evaluated every 15 minutes for 2 hours after the procedure and then at 4, 8, 12, and 16 hours after the procedure. Hemodynamic stability and respiratory stability were also measured.
Phase of care: active treatment
Double-blinded randomized controlled trial
The study concludes that, in the first four hours after surgery, remifentanil was more effective than morphine in reducing pain scores and that remifentanil PCA was as safe as morphine PCA.
The study had a small sample size, with fewer than 30 patients.
Further studies should evaluate the ability of remifentanil to control pain after uterine artery embolization.