Study Results
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Basic Information
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COMPLETED
NA
90 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2014-06-30
2017-05-31
Brief Summary
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The use of preemptive analgesia is in other types of surgeries, such as orthopedics, is well established, but as the perianal region has not been well studied, its use is not the standard of care. This type of analgesia uses a combination of medications that are already in use for post-operative and non-operative pain control and administers them orally prior to the patient undergoing general anesthesia. The side effects of the medications are the same as if they had been given after surgery or for non-surgical pain.
The concept of preemptive analgesia is established in other types of surgeries and it has solid basic science to support its use. The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study is to determine if patients undergoing perianal surgeries could benefit from preemptive pain control. The primary outcome will be whether patients experience less post-operative pain. Patient post-operative consumption and latency until use of narcotic pain medication will be the secondary outcomes. The investigators believe that the patients receiving pain medications before their operation will require less pain medication after surgery, with minimal increased risk to the patient.
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Detailed Description
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Preemptive analgesia focusing on the effect of single medications on pain control has shown promising results, however some studies appear to lend themselves to practice \[6-19\] better than others \[20-26\]. On the other hand, multimodal pain control regimens might be more promising. A search of the literature reveals that preemptive pharmacological blockade of wind up has been effectively used in both surgical and nonsurgical patients (burn patients \[27\]). In patients undergoing hip arthroplasty, or hip replacement surgery, under general anesthesia, blocking both central and peripheral sensitization results in significantly decreased subjective pain, and a trend toward less postoperative use of analgesics \[28\]. Similarly, patients undergoing multilevel spinal surgeries \[29\] and those undergoing prostatic surgery \[30\] under general anesthesia consume less postoperative analgesics when undergoing multimodal preemptive pain control by blocking both sensitization pathways. Finally, preemptive central sensitization blockade alone has been used with trends in improved pain control for gynecological surgeries under both general \[31\] and regional anesthesia \[32\]. The preemptive use of such medications has not been studied for anorectal surgeries and it is what we are suggesting in this study. Most pain control studies in the literature focus on postoperative rather than preemptive medication regimens for pain management \[33-35\], and there is no current standard of care as to an effective regimen. The studies effective in decreasing postoperative pain in other surgical contexts, such as for patients undergoing hip arthroplasty, have used the same combination of medications proposed for the Treatment Group. Finally, the added benefit of the anorectal patient population in terms of the putative decreased use of opioids for postoperative pain control revolves around the opioid-related adverse effects on bowel function. In fact, return of bowel movements and regularity is one criterion for healing after surgery.
Based on this existing literature, we propose in our current study to preemptively block both central sensitization through the use of intravenous ketamine perioperatively and peripheral sensitization through the use of intravenous dexamethasone administered perioperatively and oral gabapentin and acetaminophen administered preoperatively. Ketamine is a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist acting centrally in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord to decrease the release of glutamate, reducing the transmission of pain messages centrally \[36\]. Intravenous ketamine has been shown to decrease 24-hour opioid requirements, and preemptive use of ketamine was part of the medications used in most of the studies mentioned in the literature review above. As it currently stands, use of ketamine in anorectal surgeries as an added analgesic has been proven safe. Among Nigerian surgery patients having received regional anesthesia and preemptive ketamine, postoperative pain levels have been shown to decrease, however it is unclear if this patient cohort included anorectal surgery patients \[37\]. No other studies have been conducted regarding postoperative pain in these patients \[38\]. By utilizing ketamine as one of the medications in our study, we hope to show similar effects resulting in patients experiencing decreased postoperative pain after common anorectal surgeries.
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid with potent anti-inflammatory effects that is also used as an anti-emetic. The proposed mechanism of action of dexamethasone is not completely known, but it is thought to involve inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis and an increased release of endorphins. Endorphins are endogenous peptides that bind to pain receptors in the body to decrease pain. In addition, endorphins can facilitate mood elevation and a sense of well-being. Intravenous dexamethasone was part of the medications used in studies mentioned in the literature review above. One study investigating the prophylactic use of dexamethasone for its anti-emetic properties, in combination with sevoflurane, a general anesthetic, during anorectal surgery found a significant decrease in maximal postoperative VAS pain scores in patients administered dexamethasone compared to those given placebos \[2\]. The use of dexamethasone as a preemptive analgesic has not been fully studied in anorectal surgery patients.
Gabapentin acts by binding to receptors on voltage-gated calcium channels on presynaptic nerves, reducing the entry of calcium into presynaptic nerve terminals. The subsequent decreased release of excitatory neurotransmitters such as glutamate, aspartate, substance P, and norepinephrine into the synaptic cleft is linked to a diminished postsynaptic transmission of neural pain messages \[36\]. It is usually used for neuropathic pain control, and has been used in some of the studies mentioned in the literature review above. A systemic review of the perioperative effects of gabapentin found that it is an effective means of reducing post-operative pain, opioid consumption, and opioid-related adverse effects in surgical patients. In fact, administration of a single dose of gabapentin was found to be equivalent to a reduction of 30 mg of morphine in the first 24 hours after surgery \[39\]. No studies have been conducted, to the best of our knowledge, regarding preemptive use of gabapentin in anorectal surgeries.
Local, peripheral sensitization has also been minimized through the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) due to the decreased production of certain molecules such as prostaglandins and kinins. The enzyme required to make these molecules is blocked by acetaminophen and NSAIDs, which is why acetaminophen is included in this study in hopes of demonstrating better pain control among anorectal surgery patients. Acetaminophen is a weak analgesic that forms the most basic component of a multimodal analgesia regimen \[36\]. Oral preemptive use of acetaminophen has been proven to decrease postoperative narcotic use in surgical patients \[40\], and has been used in some of the studies mentioned in the literature review above. A related intramuscular NSAID, namely Toradol, has been used preemptively among anorectal surgical patients with good pain control \[41\]. No other studies are reported in this patient population.
Of importance, the combinations of the medications used in this study have been used in other studies before with similar or higher doses and no significant differences in terms of hemodynamic variables (such as vital signs) or adverse side effects have been noted compared to control groups \[31\]. In fact, these medications are safely used at UVM Medical Center by the collaborating surgeons as part of their care for other surgeries such as abdominal surgeries.
\*References 1-41 available upon request
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
QUADRUPLE
Study Groups
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Control Arm
In pre-op, the subject is administered four placebo pills PO containing confectioners sugar, which are matched in color, size, and shape to the active pills.
Placebo
Experimental Arm
In pre-op, the subject is administered four pills PO containing a total of 1000 mg of acetaminophen and 600 mg of gabapentin, which are matched in color, size, and shape to the placebo pills.
Gabapentin
Ketamine
Prior to the incision in the operating room, the anesthesiologist administers 0.15 mg/kg of ketamine IV push in patients randomized to the experimental arm, only.
Acetaminophen
Dexamethasone
Prior to the incision in the operating room, the anesthesiologist administers 8 mg of dexamethasone IV push in patients randomized to the experimental arm, only.
Interventions
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Gabapentin
Ketamine
Prior to the incision in the operating room, the anesthesiologist administers 0.15 mg/kg of ketamine IV push in patients randomized to the experimental arm, only.
Acetaminophen
Dexamethasone
Prior to the incision in the operating room, the anesthesiologist administers 8 mg of dexamethasone IV push in patients randomized to the experimental arm, only.
Placebo
Other Intervention Names
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Patients having anal sphincterotomies for chronic anal fissures recalcitrant to non-surgical management at the University of Vermont Medical Center or Fanny Allen Campuses OR
* Patients having hemorrhoidectomies for hemorrhoids recalcitrant to non-surgical management at the University of Vermont Medical Center or Fanny Allen Campuses OR
* Patients having anal condyloma excisions for anal condylomas recalcitrant to non-surgical management at the University of Vermont Medical Center or Fanny Allen Campuses
* Patients undergoing these surgeries must be American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification System scores of I (normal, healthy patient), II (patient with mild, systemic disease), or III (patients with more significant disease)
Exclusion Criteria
* Patient history and chart review for existence of hepatic or renal failure;
* Chronic pain syndrome;
* Inability to understand or utilize the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS);
* Pregnancy;
* Patients currently on gabapentin, pregabalin or narcotics
* Patients taking chronic steroids, unable to taper off before surgery
18 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
OTHER
University of Vermont
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Peter Cataldo, MD
Professor of Surgery and Principal Investigator
Locations
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University of Vermont Medical Center
Burlington, Vermont, United States
University of Vermont Medical Center Fanny Allen Campus
Colchester, Vermont, United States
Countries
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References
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Other Identifiers
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CHRMS: M13-226
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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