PAIN MANAGEMENT FOLLOWING SHOULDER ARTHROSCOPY USING THE BAXTER ELASTOMERIC CONTINUOUS INFUSION PUMP

Abstract

Introduction: Postoperative pain management following shoulder arthroscopy procedures is important, especially if they are to be performed as a day case surgeries. A variety of techniques are currently used to reduce postoperative pain such as patient controlled infusion pump and Interscalene block

Aim: In this study we evaluate the effect of Baxter elastomeric continuous infusion pump in managing pain following shoulder arthroscopy procedures.

Methods & Materials: We prospectively reviewed thirty four patients who had shoulder arthroscopy procedures between January and July 2007. All patients had arthroscopic subacromial decompression. Baxter elastomeric infusion pump was used in all patients to provide postoperative pain relief. All patients had 10ml of 0.5% Marcaine as a bolus followed by 5ml/hr for 10 hours through the infusion pump.

Visual analogue scale (VAS) was assessed at 4, 6,8 and 24 hours postoperatively. Discharge time and patients’ satisfaction were also assessed

Results: The Baxter elastomer pump provided effective pain relief postoperatively with median VAS(IQR) of 2.5(1.5–4.5), 2.5(1–5), 3(2–6), 6 (2–8) at 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours respectively. Our cohort had short hospital stay postoperatively with median (IQR) discharge time of 4.6 hours (3.5–5.3).Majority of patients reported that they are either very satisfied or satisfied with the pump.

Conclusion: We conclude that Baxter Infusion Elastomer pump is effective in managing pain postoperatively following shoulder arthroscopy with a high patients’ satisfaction which resulted in a short hospital stay. It is simple to insert under direct visualisation ensuring adequate placement, simple to use and doesn’t require skilled nursing care. Also it has got less morbidity compared to other means which are used to provide postoperative pain relief such as interscalene block.