BACKGROUND: This study examined the efficacy of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) during labor and compared the suitability of fentanyl and butorphanol mixed with bupivacaine. METHODS: After establishing effective epidural analgesia with 10 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine mixed with fentanyl 5 microgram/ml or butorphanol 1 mg/ml, 60 parturients in active labor were randomly assigned to one of two groups: PCEA using 0.0625% bupivacaine with fentanyl 2 microgram/ml (fentanyl group); PCEA using 0.0625% bupivacaine with butorphanol 20 microgram/ml (butorphanol group). PCEA pumps were programmed to deliver a 4 ml/hr basal infusion, 4 ml on-demand bolus, 10-min lockout intervals between doses, and a 20 ml hourly limit. Visual analogue pain scores, side effects, parturients' satisfaction scores, duration of labor and Apgar scores were recorded during and after labor. RESULTS: The quality of analgesia, side effects, duration of labor, overall satisfaction and Apgar scores didn't differ between the two groups. Average hourly infusion rates were 11.8 0.3 ml/hr (fentanyl group) and 13.9 0.4 ml/hr (butorphanol group). CONCLUSIONS: PCEA is a safe and effective method for labor analgesia and both solutions, the 0.0625% bupivacaine plus fentanyl 2 microgram/ml and the 0.0625% bupivacaine plus butorphanol 20 microgram/ml, appear suitable for PCEA use for labor pain. There is no difference in effectiveness between fentanyl and butorphanol.
Analgesia ; Analgesia, Epidural* ; Bupivacaine ; Butorphanol* ; Female ; Fentanyl* ; Labor Pain* ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND: This study examined the efficacy of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) during labor and compared the suitability of fentanyl and butorphanol mixed with bupivacaine. METHODS: After establishing effective epidural analgesia with 10 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine mixed with fentanyl 5 microgram/ml or butorphanol 1 mg/ml, 60 parturients in active labor were randomly assigned to one of two groups: PCEA using 0.0625% bupivacaine with fentanyl 2 microgram/ml (fentanyl group); PCEA using 0.0625% bupivacaine with butorphanol 20 microgram/ml (butorphanol group). PCEA pumps were programmed to deliver a 4 ml/hr basal infusion, 4 ml on-demand bolus, 10-min lockout intervals between doses, and a 20 ml hourly limit. Visual analogue pain scores, side effects, parturients' satisfaction scores, duration of labor and Apgar scores were recorded during and after labor. RESULTS: The quality of analgesia, side effects, duration of labor, overall satisfaction and Apgar scores didn't differ between the two groups. Average hourly infusion rates were 11.8 0.3 ml/hr (fentanyl group) and 13.9 0.4 ml/hr (butorphanol group). CONCLUSIONS: PCEA is a safe and effective method for labor analgesia and both solutions, the 0.0625% bupivacaine plus fentanyl 2 microgram/ml and the 0.0625% bupivacaine plus butorphanol 20 microgram/ml, appear suitable for PCEA use for labor pain. There is no difference in effectiveness between fentanyl and butorphanol.
Analgesia ; Analgesia, Epidural* ; Bupivacaine ; Butorphanol* ; Female ; Fentanyl* ; Labor Pain* ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND: This study was proposed to examine the effects of butorphanol on propofol dose requirements and hemodynamic responses during propofol-N2O-O2 anesthesia. In addition, the effects of butorphanol on the recovery time, sedation score and postoperative first analgesic request time were assessed. METHODS: Forty patients were allocated to 2 groups. Twenty patients received butorphanol (20 microgram/kg, group (B) and the others received an equal volume of placebo (group P) 3 minutes before induction with propofol. After induction, anesthesia was maintained with propofol (6 - 10 mg/kg, iv)-N2O (70%)-O2 (30%). Propofol doses for induction and maintenance and hemodynamic responses (blood pressure, heart rate) were checked. After surgery, sedation score, recovery profiles, and postoperative first analgesic request time were assessed. RESULTS: The induction doses of propofol were lower in group B than in group P. Diastolic pressure and heart rate decreased in group B compared to group P after endotracheal intubation and before skin incision. After skin incision, decreased diastolic pressure and heart rate returned to preanesthetic levels in group P, but the decreased level was sustained in group B. There were group differences in sedation score at 5 and 10 minutes after extubation. In group B, recovery was delayed and more time elapsed before the first analgesic request. CONCLUSIONS: Butorphanol co-administered with propofol reduces the induction dose of propofol and delays the first analgesic request time, but there are significant fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate during endotracheal intubation and skin incision.
Anesthesia* ; Blood Pressure ; Butorphanol* ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Propofol* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Butorphanol, a synthetic partial agonist-antagonist narcotic, produces adequate analgesia for postoperative pain. This study was designed to determine the appropriate dosage of butorphanol when administered with ketorolac by intravenous patient controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) after subtotal gastrectomy. METHODS: Ninety ASA physical status I or II patients undergoing subtotal gastrectomy were randomly allocated into one of three groups according to type of drug used (n = 30 for each group). The patients were divided into group B6 (butorphanol 6 mg), group B10 (butorphanol 10 mg) and group B14 (butorphanol 14 mg). Drugs for each group were mixed with 300 mg of ketorolac and normal saline (total amount: 100 ml) for infusion. Bolus dose, maintenance dose and lockout interval were 0.5 ml per each press, 1 ml/hr and 15 minutes, respectively. In each group, numerical rating scale (NRS) score, sedation score and incidence of side effect were checked. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in analgesic effects and sedation score among three groups but the NRS score of group B14 is lower than that of group B6 (P < 0.05) 3 hrs after the recovery room. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend 6 mg butorphanol, mixed with 300 mg of ketorolac, and normal saline for postoperative pain relief using IV-PCA.
Analgesia ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled* ; Butorphanol* ; Gastrectomy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ketorolac ; Pain, Postoperative ; Recovery Room

BACKGROUND: For the efficacy of pain relief, the adequate infusion dosage and the side effects of epidural butorphanol was compared with those of epidural fentanyl. METHODS: Forty consenting, healthy, term parturients who had undergone Caesarean section under epidural lidocaine anesthesia received 0.1% bupivacaine/ butorphanol 50 ug/ml (Group 1, n=20) or 0.1% bupivacaine/fentanyl 5 ug/ml (Group 2, n=20) using patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) were evaluated. RESULTS: Total amount of 48hr consumption was 19.4 mg (butorphanol) and 1546.8 ug (fentanyl). There were no significant differences between two groups in total infusion doses of above drugs, VAS score and side effects. The putative potency ratio of fentanyl/butorphanol was 1/12.5. CONCLUSIONS: Although both butorphanol and fentanyl were useful and safe drug for PCEA for postoperative pain control, combination of butorphanol and bupivacaine provided more economically effective analgesia.
Analgesia ; Analgesia, Epidural* ; Anesthesia ; Bupivacaine* ; Butorphanol* ; Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Fentanyl* ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Pain, Postoperative ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Epidural morphine has been commonly used to provide postoperative pain relief, but it has many side effects such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, and pruritus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and side effects by combination use of epidural morphine and butorphanol. METHODS: Forty five patients were randomly divided into 3 groups. For group I, a bolus of 4.7 ml of saline and 3 mg of morphine were administered. For group II, a bolus of 4.2 ml of saline and 3 mg of morphine and 1 mg of butorphanol were administered. For group III, a bolus of 3.2 ml of saline and 3 mg of morphine and 3 mg of butorphanol were administered. Continuous epidural analgesia were administered for all groups; group I (saline 99.4 ml and morphine 6 mg), group II (saline 98.4 ml, morphine 6 mg, and butorphanol 2 mg), group III (saline 96.4 ml, morphine 6 mg, and butorphanol 6 mg) by two day infuser, 2 ml/hr. We compared the side effects and analgesic effect of the three groups for 2 days. RESULTS: The incidence of pruritus, nausea and vomiting was reduced significantly in the group II and III, but the incidence of somnolence increased in the group III. There were no significant differences in analgesic effect and the other side effects among the three groups. CONCLUSION: Above results suggest that the addition of butorphanol to morphine in epidural infusion reduce the incidence of pruritus, nausea and vomiting, but increase the incidence of somnolence.
Analgesia* ; Analgesia, Epidural ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Butorphanol* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Morphine* ; Nausea ; Pain, Postoperative ; Pruritus ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: Epidural morphine has been commonly used to provide postoperative pain relief, but it has many side effects such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, and pruritus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and side effects by combination use of epidural morphine and butorphanol. METHODS: Forty five patients were randomly divided into 3 groups. For group I, a bolus of 4.7 ml of saline and 3 mg of morphine were administered. For group II, a bolus of 4.2 ml of saline and 3 mg of morphine and 1 mg of butorphanol were administered. For group III, a bolus of 3.2 ml of saline and 3 mg of morphine and 3 mg of butorphanol were administered. Continuous epidural analgesia were administered for all groups; group I (saline 99.4 ml and morphine 6 mg), group II (saline 98.4 ml, morphine 6 mg, and butorphanol 2 mg), group III (saline 96.4 ml, morphine 6 mg, and butorphanol 6 mg) by two day infuser, 2 ml/hr. We compared the side effects and analgesic effect of the three groups for 2 days. RESULTS: The incidence of pruritus, nausea and vomiting was reduced significantly in the group II and III, but the incidence of somnolence increased in the group III. There were no significant differences in analgesic effect and the other side effects among the three groups. CONCLUSION: Above results suggest that the addition of butorphanol to morphine in epidural infusion reduce the incidence of pruritus, nausea and vomiting, but increase the incidence of somnolence.
Analgesia* ; Analgesia, Epidural ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Butorphanol* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Morphine* ; Nausea ; Pain, Postoperative ; Pruritus ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: Opioids may be used in a dose-sparing capacity with local anesthetics to reduce the dose needed. This study examined the efficacy of different concentrations of ropivacaine combined with butorphanol 50 micro gram/ml to provide postoperative analgesia. METHODS: Sixty parturients were received epidural infusion with 0.075% ropivacaine (Group 1: n = 20), 0.1% ropivacaine (Group 2: n = 20) and 0.15% ropivacaine (Group 3: n = 20) in combination with butorphanol 50 micro gram/ml using patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) after cesarean section. PCEA was started with basal infusion of 4 ml of PCEA solution and 4 ml of bolus infusion at 10 min of lockout interval. Using a visual analogue scale (VAS) assessed the degree of pain and incidences of side effects were checked. RESULTS: Total infusion doses of ropivacaine were significantly higher in group 3, and butorphanol consumption were significantly lower in group 3 (P<0.05). The incidences of nausea, vomiting and sedation were significantly higher in group 1 (P<0.05). There were no significantly differences in VAS pain score and other side effects among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that 0.1% or 0.15% ropivacaine with butorphanol 50micro gram//ml for PCEA can provide the most effective analgesia with less side effects after cesarean section.
Analgesia ; Analgesia, Epidural* ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Anesthetics, Local ; Butorphanol* ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Incidence ; Nausea ; Pregnancy ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: The analgesic efficacy and side-effects of continuous intravenous infusion of Butorphanol for postoperative pain relief after evisceration were evaluated. METHODS: We evaluated the postoperative pain using Numerical Rating Scale in 19patients undergoing evisceration under general anesthesia. One group (group2, 9patients) received continuous intravenous injection of Butorphanol 14 mg mixed with 5% D/W 100ml using silicone balloon infuser for 2days. The other group (group1, 10patients) was not received it. RESULTS: The second group patients reported less pain compared to the first group patients in the first and second post operative day. The total NRS value of pain was 28.1+/-4.73 (group1) vs 11.22+/-0.99 (group2). CONCLUSIONS: For 48hr post operative pain relief in patients undergoing evisceration, the analgesic efficacy of the continuous intravenous injection of Butorphanol is useful.
Anesthesia, General ; Butorphanol* ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous* ; Injections, Intravenous ; Pain, Postoperative* ; Silicones*

BACKGROUND: Continuous epidural morphine administration (CEM) is a common method to treat the pain of terminal cancer patients, but this could produce many side effects/ such as pruritus, nausea, vomiting, constipation and urinary retention. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal epidural butorphanol dosage to prevent side effects of CEM in terminal cancer patients. METHODS: Thirty terminal cancer patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups. After insertion of epidural catheter, morphine 2 mg and butorphanol 1 mg were injected epidurally for a loading dose and a 2 Day Infusor (2 ml/hr)(Home Pump(R) , I-Flow, Lake Forest, USA) containing morphine 8 mg with butorphanol 2 mg (B2 group, n = 10), 4 mg (B4 group, n = 10) or 6 mg (B6 group, n = 10) mixed with 5% D/W (total 100 ml) was connected. Severity of pain, nausea and vomiting, and pruritus were evaluated using VAS score at 1, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hr after epidural infusion. RESULTS: Severity of pain, nausea and vomiting, and pruritus were significantly decreased in the B6 group as comparable to the other two groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of butorphanol 3 mg to morphine 4 mg in CEM in terminal cancer patients reduced nausea, vomiting and pruritus and improved the pain control effect.
Butorphanol* ; Catheters ; Constipation ; Humans ; Infusion Pumps ; Lakes ; Morphine* ; Nausea ; Pruritus ; Urinary Retention ; Vomiting