Background: Pruritus is a common complication of intrathecal opioids and numerous medications have been used to prevent or treat this complication. However, the efficacy of these medications vary. The choice of medications also depends on the availability and the cost. We performed a randomised double-blind study to evaluate whether nalbuphine is as effective as chlorpheniramine, a medication that is commonly used for treating pruritus for the treatment of intrathecal opioid-induced pruritus in parturients undergoing lower-segment caesarean section. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and thirty four parturients with American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II who had intrathecal opioid-induced pruritus were assigned to receive either intravenous nalbuphine (4 mg eight-hourly) or intravenous chlorpheniramine (5 mg eight-hourly) for a period of 24 hours. Pruritus was assessed using a qualitative scale at pre-treatment, six, nine, 12 and 24 hours post-treatment. Results: The occurrence of intrathecal opioid-induced pruritus was significantly reduced in parturients treated with intravenous nalbuphine as compared to intravenous chlorpheniramine at all intervals studied. Conclusion: In conclusion, nalbuphine is more effective than chlorpheniramine in reducing intrathecal opioid-induced pruritus for parturients undergoing lower-segment caesarean section.
Anesthesia ; Histamine H1 Antagonists ; Injections, Spinal ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Pregnancy

We report a rare case of an 18 year old girl with Sturge- Weber syndrome, she had extensive facial port wine stains, right bupthalmos and advanced glaucoma involving both eyes. She underwent right eye glaucoma drainage device surgery under general anaesthesia, and had a difficult intubation due to extensive angiomatous like soft tissue swelling at her upper airway. This report highlights the importance of being aware of the need for continuous follow-up in Sturge-Weber syndrome patients as this syndrome can lead to blindness due to advance glaucoma and the awareness of possible difficult intubation for this group of patients.