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Introdução: A dor crónica pós-cirúrgica é a complicação tardia mais frequente da cirurgia de reparação de hérnia inguinal. Este trabalho visa determinar a incidência de dor crónica pós-hernioplastia inguinal em ambulatório no Centro Hospitalar do Porto, estudar a sua relação com determinadas variáveis descritas na literatura, avaliar as suas características e interferência funcional. Material e Métodos: Realizámos um estudo de coorte retrospetivo, entre fevereiro e maio de 2016, por entrevista telefónica estruturada composta por perguntas dos autores e secções de três questionários publicados, dois dos quais validados para a língua e cultura portuguesas. Incluímos os homens submetidos a hernioplastia inguinal, por laparotomia ou laparoscopia, em ambulatório, no Centro Hospitalar do Porto, entre janeiro de 2011 e outubro de 2015. Resultados: Na amostra final de 829 hernioplastias, a incidência de dor crónica pós-hernioplastia foi de 24,0% [intervalo de confiança: 21,2 - 27,1]. O desenvolvimento de dor crónica foi superior nos doentes com dor pré-cirúrgica, nos doentes mais jovens e relacionou-se com o momento de início da dor pós-cirúrgica. Não encontrámos relação com a via de abordagem, clássica ou laparoscópica. Dos indivíduos com dor crónica, 65,0% apresentaram dor ‘em média’ moderada ou forte e 37,7% apresentavam descritores sugestivos de dor de origem neuropática. A dor crónica pós-hernioplastia do ponto de vista funcional apenas ‘não interferiu completamente’ com o sono. Discussão: A prevalência encontrada de dor crónica pós-hernioplastia, com interferência funcional importante, é congruente com os dados disponíveis na literatura. O potencial preditor da presença de dor pré-cirúrgica e idade jovem do doente para o desenvolvimento de dor crónica pós-hernioplastia é também corroborado pela literatura. Tratando-se de um estudo de coorte retrospetivo, o estudo apresenta as limitações inerentes. Conclusão: A elevada prevalência de dor crónica pós-hernioplastia encontrada apontam para a urgência na sensibilização dos profissionais de saúde para esta problemática e otimização do follow-up, diagnóstico e tratamento da dor.

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Introdução: A Associação Internacional para o Estudo da Dor defende um curriculum mandatório sobre dor crónica nos cursos de Medicina. Foi objectivo deste estudo conhecer a opinião dos estudantes finalistas de Medicina e dos internos do ano comum sobre o ensino da dor crónica nas oito escolas médicas Portuguesas. Material e Métodos: Estudo quantitativo. Questionário electrónico (30 questões), com respostas voluntárias e anónimas; disponível no primeiro trimestre 2016. Resultados: Houve 251 respostas provenientes de 142 finalistas e 109 internos (mulheres 72,9%; idade 25,3 ± 1,6 anos). A dor é um sinal vital (92,4%); mas 18,7% apenas a avaliava caso o doente se queixasse. As escalas de auto-avaliação da dor eram conhecidas (87,2%) e as de hétero-avaliação não (70,9%). A dor não era avaliada porque o doente não manifestava dor; falta de tempo; consultas de duração curta. A formação foi insuficiente sobre opioides (78,1%), fisiopatologia e tratamento da dor (66,1%) e como entrevistar o doente com dor (67,7%); durou 1 a 10 horas (49,8%). A depressão respiratória por opioides é preocupante (56,2%). O risco de usar opioides é superior ao benefício clínico (33,5%). Discussão: O ensino da dor crónica é disperso, pouco estruturado e opcional. Para 98,4% da amostra é relevante haver mais educação sobre dor crónica. Esta deve ocorrer no quinto ano do curso médico, com mais de 15 horas. São aconselhados estágios em consultas de dor crónica. Conclusão: São necessárias mudanças nos curricula pré-graduados para que os futuros médicos desenvolvam competências e combatam o sofrimento ‘evitável’ dos seus doentes.

Introdução: A dor é equiparada a quinto sinal vital e deve ser avaliada de forma sistemática em todas as consultas de um paciente com cancro. Os fármacos utilizados na prática oncológica para tratar os doentes com dor crónica moderada a severa incluem analgésicos de ação periférica e central que têm sido abordados em múltiplas diretrizes nacionais e internacionais. No entanto, na prática clínica há que equacionar outros problemas e eventuais comorbilidades, que podem levantar dúvidas no momento da prescrição. Material e Métodos: Fez-se uma revisão da literatura, tentando refletir sobre algumas situações específicas na utilização de opióides, nomeadamente perda da via oral, insuficiência renal (hemodiálise), insuficiência hepática, interações medicamentosas e formulações de ação imediata. Resultados: Os opiáceos naturais (morfina e codeína) e os seus derivados sintéticos e semissintéticos (hidromorfona, oxicodona, fentanilo), o agonista parcial buprenorfina e finalmente o tramadol e tapentadol foram selecionados para esta análise. Os sistemas transdérmicos estão apenas disponíveis para a buprenorfina e o fentanilo. Na insuficiência hepática, o fentanilo foi considerado seguro, mas com exceção da codeína e do tramadol, podem todos ser usados com precaução. Na insuficiência renal, o fentanilo, a hidromorfona e o tapentadol foram considerados seguros. Deve evitar-se a morfina, e os restantes poderão ser usados com precaução. Em pacientes em hemodiálise pode usar-se buprenorfina, fentanilo, hidromorfona e tramadol (em doses até 200 mg/dia). Discussão: O não reconhecimento do impacto das várias situações descritas ao longo deste trabalho, nomeadamente a alteração da biodisponibilidade por perda de via oral, por alteração da farmacocinética e farmacodinâmica dos vários fármacos, quer no contexto da insuficiência de órgão responsável pelo metabolismo ou excreção, quer no contexto das interações farmacológicas, condiciona um norme risco de subtratamento da dor e consequente impacto em termos de qualidade de vida. Conclusão: A prescrição de opióides é segura e efetiva, mesmo em situações de comorbilidades moderadas a graves como insuficiência renal e hepática e em doentes sem via oral disponível. Neste caso, como quando considerámos as interações farmacológicas, o plano terapêutico deve ser individualizado e o paciente deve ser avaliado regularmente. A seleção inadequada e/ou dose mal ajustada de um fármaco, o não reconhecimento do impacto dos efeitos adversos, frequentemente justificam o mau controlo da dor e a toxicidade excessiva.

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Introdução: A dor é uma experiência frequente nos doentes com cancro, especialmente naqueles em fase final de vida. Com este estudo, pretendemos estudar a intensidade de dor nos doentes com cancro avançado, referenciados aos cuidados paliativos, analisar os factores associados à ocorrência de dor moderada ou intensa e avaliar a sua relação com o tempo até à morte destes doentes. Material e Métodos: Estudo prospectivo observacional que incluiu consecutivamente todos os doentes referenciados aos cuidados paliativos com tumores sólidos metastizados e sem tratamento oncológico específico. Foi considerada a intensidade de dor da escala de Edmonton, de acordo com a graduação zero a 10, onde 0 = ausência de dor e 10 = máxima dor possível. Resultados: Entre outubro de 2012 e junho de 2015, foram incluídos 301 doentes, com idade mediana de 69 anos (37 - 94), 57% homens e 64,8% dos doentes com performance status 3/4. Aproximadamente 42% dos doentes apresentaram dor ≥ 4 e cerca de 74,4% estavam medicados com analgesia opióide. A intensidade de dor esteve associada ao performance status dos doentes, de acordo com a análise multivariável (OR: 1,7; IC 95%: 1,0 - 2,7; p = 0,045). A mediana do tempo de sobrevivência foi de 37 dias (IC 95%: 28 - 46), tendo os doentes com dor moderada ou intensa (intensidade de dor ≥ 4) uma mediana de sobrevivência de 29 dias (IC 95%: 21 - 37), comparada com os 49 dias (IC 95%: 35 - 63) para os doentes sem dor ou dor ligeira (p = 0,022). Discussão: O performance status, para além de ter estado associado a uma maior intensidade de dor, esteve associado a um menor tempo até à morte dos doentes com cancro avançado referenciados aos cuidados paliativos. Também o internamento, a presença de metastização intra-abdominal e a analgesia opióide estiveram associados de forma negativa ao tempo até à morte destes doentes. Conclusão: A dor oncológica continua a ser um problema clinicamente relevante nos doentes com cancro avançado.

Nonspecific chronic low back pain (nCLBP) is a common pathology limiting function at different ages. Rehabilitation is not consensual and the efficiency is variable. The objective of this study is to describe pain severity and disability in activities of daily life (ADL) at the end of conventional physical therapy treatment (CPTT).This is a non-randomized cross-sectional study with 32 consecutive patients, carried out in the central region of Portugal during a 6-month period.We used the visual analogical scale (VAS) for pain and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Patients self-administered analgesics and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on a daily basis, and filled in a form for their characteristics (gender, age and pain duration) in the first week after the CPTT.The VAS average value was 48.7 (18.77) and the total ODI value was 19.6, with a "disability score" of 39%. ODI sub-items (intensity of pain 2.88 +- 1.01, lifting 2.78 +- 1.07, social life 2.19 +-1.12, sitting 2.16 +- 1.00, standing 2.09 +- 1.30) were the most affected. Patients took analgesics for 10.6 (12.86) and NSAIDs for 5.2 days (8.99) in a month.There was a high perception of pain and disability after CPTT, which suggests the need to modify the therapeutic approach to achieve more effective pain relief and function.

A 37-years-old woman, complaining of fever, malaise, myalgia, sore throat and dysphagia lasting for 15 days, had been taking antibiotics and paracetamol for 7 days, without symptoms' improvement. The clinical examination revealed hyperaemic oropharynx and enlarged, painful thyroid. Further exams showed increased analytic inflammatory serum parameters as well as thyrotoxicosis. The thyroid gland had heterogeneous echostructure, with markedly hypoechoic areas and significant capsular oedema as well as decreased radionuclide uptake in the scintigraphy. Both symptoms and imaging improved with paracetamol and ibuprofen. Thyroid gland function normalized in two months. The patient remains in follow-up. This case reports the clinical features of subacute or De Quervain's thyroiditis. The differential medical approach to the patient with painful thyroid palpation is discussed. The diagnosis is essentially clinic, highlighting the importance of a rigorous physical exam. These patients' follow-up is required, considering the clinical and analytic progression.

The existence of putatively painful situations to the fetus demands a careful evaluation of the issue of fetal pain. Several indirect approaches are used to evaluate the existence of fetal pain. Neurobiological studies showed that from the 30th week on, the anatomical and physiological system for pain transmission is already developed, with the connections from the periphery to the cortex being successively established. Stress responses to a painful stimulation are complex but they can be detected from the 16th week on. There is activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, autonomic nervous system and hemodynamic changes in response to nociceptive stimulation. In prematures exposed to pain there are significant increases of adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol, hemodynamic changes, motor reflexes and facial reactions. The changes induced by strong nociceptive stimulation of newborns have important postnatal consequences since they affect future reactions to noxious stimuli. Central sensitization and immaturity of the pain inhibitory system are the main neurobiological explanations for the increased pain. Detailed studies of the neurobiological mechanisms of the transmission of painful stimuli along with follow-up studies of the consequences of exposure to pain during the development of the fetus are necessary to fully understand fetal pain.

For many years, appropriate relevance has not been given for pain in newborn infants, but research brought to light this important subject in neonatal medicine. Pain scores have been organized in scales and validated to be used in clinical practice. Currently, there are several scales based on different pain indicators. These scales should be used according to different circumstances. With the purpose of helping health professionals, a systematic review of neonatal pain scales based on gestational age, duration of painful episode and type of pain indicator was carried out. Data concerning validation of the scales were also analyzed and two scales for use in clinical practice or in research are suggested.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a frequent neurological disease, with an estimated prevalence in Portugal of 60/100.000. It is a disease of the young adult, whose first symptoms are commonly of sensory type. The pathological process is of inflammatory nature, involving the central nervous system. The typical histopathological lesion is an area of demyelination. Initial descriptive studies affirmed that pain was an uncommon symptom in MS. However, it soon became evident that the majority of MS patients experience pain in the course of their disease. In MS it is possible to find any kind of pain syndrome, being the most common central neuropathic pain. A sample of 85 MS patients of the Outpatient Clinic of Demyelinating Diseases of the Neurology Department of São João Hospital, Oporto, Portugal, was studied. The presence of pain, demographic characteristics, disease duration, year of diagnosis, MS subtype, treatments and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score were investigated. The group of MS patients with pain completed the short versions of the pain questionnaires The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), for more detailed pain characterization. The prevalence of pain found was 34%. We have not established an association between the existence of pain and disease duration or functional impairment. However, pain interfered significantly with the patients' general activity, mood, work, social relations with others and enjoyment of life. All the pain and MS patients that completed the MPQ employed more than one word to describe their pain, using always words from both the sensory and affective categories. Patient pain descriptions included the word hot-burning in 58,8% of the cases; this word is used commonly in the description of central neuropathic pain. Pain is an important symptom in 85 Portuguese patients with MS, not only because of the high pain prevalence found, but also because of its interference with their quality of life. Pain recognition in MS patients is fundamental to adequately treating MS patients with pain.

Prostate cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In Portugal alone, according to a study published in 2003, the rate of new prostate cancer cases were 53 per 100,000 men (in 2000), with an age-standardized mortality rate of about 28 per 100,000 (in 1995). Multiple bone metastases are one of the major complications of advanced prostate cancer. Samarium-EDTMP showed to be a safe and effective alternative for palliative treatment of bone metastases. The goal of this economic study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of Samarium-153-EDTMP for the treatment of pain due to multiple bone metastases in hormone-refractory prostate cancer versus conventional pain therapy, in Portugal.Cost-effectiveness study that compares the expected direct costs to the National Health System of managing patients with painful multiple bone metastases with Samarium-153-EDTMP versus conventional pain therapy, in Portugal, in a 4-moths period.The total direct 4 months cost was 2,311.91 euro for a patient treated with Samarium-153-EDTMP versus 2,450.74 euro for a patient under standard treatment. According to the model a patient treated with Samarium-153-EDTMP represents a 138.83 euros saving.Samarium-153-EDTMP was not only a very effective therapeutic option but also an option with less cost than the conventional pain therapy, in patients with pain due to multiple bone metastases, in Portugal.

Wandering spleen is uncommon and of difficult diagnosis. New Imaging Modalities (Eco; TC), can suggest or confirm the preoperative diagnosis of wandering spleen, permitting conservative surgery, mainly in children. We report two cases of wandering spleen. The first one, with acute surgical abdomen and tumor on left iliac fossa, operated as an ovarian cyst torsion: the laparotomy showed a necrotic spleen in pelvis. The second case presented as intestinal sub-occlusion with recurrent abdominal pain, and a left iliac fossa movable tumor. It was diagnosed by eco and radionuclides before laparotomy. Even diagnosed in different ways, the surgical treatment was the same.

Introduction: All health professionals should be aware of the importance of evaluating pain - fifth vital sign- in cancer patients. Peripheral and central acting analgesics are widely used to treat moderate to severe pain, particularly cancer pain. Many guidelines have addressed this issue. However, real life patients' have other problems and comorbidities that may raise doubts when prescribing., Material and Methods: Authors made a literature search, trying to clarify same specific situations: loss of oral route, renal impairment (hemodialysis), hepatic impairment, frequent opiod interactions and the availability of short-acting formulations., Results: The following medicines were included in this analysis: the natural opiates (morphine and codeine), their synthetic and semisynthetic derivatives (hydromorphone, oxycodone, and fentanyl), the partial agonist buprenorphine and finally tramadol and tapentadol. Transdermal systems are only available for buprenorphine and fentanyl. In hepatic impairment, fentanyl is safe, but with the exception of codeine and tramadol; other opioids should be used with caution. In renal failure: fentanyl, hydromorphone, and tapentadol are safe. Morphine should be avoided; other opioids should be used with caution. In hemodialysis, buprenorphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone and tramadol (at doses up to 200 mg/day) may be used., Discussion: Failure to recognize the impact of various situations described throughout this work, including the bioavailability due to loss of oral route, due to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the various drugs, either in the context of the impaired metabolism or excretion, or in due to pharmacological interactions, conditions a serious risk of subtreatment of pain and consequent impact in terms of quality of life., Conclusion: Opioid prescription is safe and effective, even in moderate to severe comorbidities such as renal and hepatic impairment and in patients with no oral route available. In this case, as when considering pharmacological interactions, an individualized therapeutic plan is the best solution and the patient should be assessed regularly. Unadjusted doses may relate to bad pain control and a higher prevalence of adverse events.

Introduction: Chronic postoperative pain is the most frequent late complication of inguinal hernia repair surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of chronic post-hernioplasty pain in outpatient care at Centro Hospitalar do Porto, describe it, analyse its relation with other variables defined in the literature and study its functional interference., Material and Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study between February and May 2016, using a structured telephone interview composed of questions from the authors and sections of published questionnaires, two of which are validated for the Portuguese language and culture. We included men who underwent ambulatory inguinal hernioplasty, by laparotomy or laparoscopy, at Centro Hospitalar do Porto, between January 2011 and October 2015., Results: In a final sample of 829 surgeries, the incidence of chronic post-hernioplasty pain was 24.0% [confidence interval: 21.2 - 27.1]. The development of chronic post-hernioplasty pain was higher in patients with pre-surgical pain and younger age and was related with the presence of pain during the first month after surgery. No relationship was found between surgical technique and the development of chronic post-hernioplasty pain. Of the individuals with chronic pain, 65.0% mentioned moderate-severe 'pain on the average' and 37.7% presented descriptors suggestive of neuropathic pain. The only parameter evaluated with which chronic post-hernioplasty pain 'did not interfere completely' was sleep., Discussion: The prevalence found for chronic posthernioplasty pain with significant functional interference is in line with data retrieved from literature. The predictive potential of pre-surgical pain and young age for the development of chronic posthernioplasty pain is also in agreement with previous studies. Limitations were found to this study given its retrospective nature., Conclusion: The high prevalence of chronic post-hernioplasty pain raises the urgent need for raising awareness regarding this issue among health care professionals. The main areas for improvement are diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of pain.

Fibromyalgia can be clinically defined by widespread pain lasting for longer than 3 months with tenderness on palpation in 11 or more of 18 specified tender points. Many people with fibromyalgia are significantly disabled, and experience moderate to severe pain for many years, for which conventional analgesics are usually not effective. For these patients treatment options generally include antidepressants like tricyclic agents, serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, or anticonvulsants like pregabalin or gabapentin. Pregabalin is a drug licensed for the treatment of fibromyalgia in the United States of America, with a mechanism of action similar to gabapentin. This mode of action confers antiepileptic, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects. This Cochrane systematic review included 8 randomized, placebo-controlled trials with low risk of bias, which studied the effect of a daily dose of pregabalin for the treatment of moderate to severe pain in adult patients suffering from fibromyalgia. Of the main results of this systematic review we highlight the major effect that a daily dose of 300 to 600 mg of pregabalin had in the reduction of pain intensity over a follow-up period of 12 to 26 weeks, with tolerable adverse effects, for a minority of people with moderate to severe pain due to fibromyalgia. This paper aims to summarize and discuss the main results and conclusions of this systematic review, as well as its implications for the daily clinical practice.

Introduction: Pain is one of the most common symptoms reported by cancer patients and is associated with decreased quality of life. Assessment of pain with standardized questionnaires reduces variability in its interpretation and may increase effectiveness of medical interventions. Prostate cancer is the most frequent male neoplasm in Portugal. We designed this study to evaluate the impact of a standardized pain questionnaire on pain management in patients with metastatic prostate cancer., Material and Methods: Single centre prospective observational study of patients with metastatic prostate cancer. The study was designed to evaluate the benefit of systematically evaluating pain with Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form prior to a scheduled medical oncology consult. Patients reporting pain were reassessed one week later by telephone. To assess the benefit two consecutive cohorts were established based on communication of questionnaire results to the treating physician., Results: We recruited 207 patients of which 60% reported pain. Statistically significant decrease in mean pain intensity one week after the scheduled appointment was noted (3.95 vs 3.01; p < 0.001). Patients whose Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form was provided to their oncologist experienced greater reduction in pain, which was non-significant (p = 0.227). Using Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form assessment resulted in a higher probability of pain control (43.5% vs 30.9%; p = 0.193)., Discussion: The prevalence of pain founded was higher than described in the literature, probably because our sample was less selected than the published in clinical trials. After the scheduled appointment, there was a statistically significant reduction in mean pain intensity, but the explicit use of this questionnaire was not associated with a statistically significant reduction of pain., Conclusion: Patients with metastatic prostate cancer have a high prevalence of pain. Evaluation and treatment by medical oncologists is associated with a reduction of mean pain intensity. The use of Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form was associated with a non-significant increased reduction of pain.

Introduction: Pain is a common symptom experienced by cancer patients, especially in those with advanced disease. Our aim was to describe pain intensity in advanced cancer patients, referred to the palliative care unit, the factors underlying moderate to severe pain and its prognostic values., Material and Methods: This was a prospective observational study. All patients with mestastatic solid tumors and with no specific oncologic treatment were included. Pain intensity was accessed using the pain scale from Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, rated from 0 to 10 on a numerical scale, where zero = no pain and 10 = worst possible pain., Results: Between October 2012 and June 2015, a total of 301 patients participated in the study. The median age was 69 years, (37 - 94); most of the patients were men (57%) and 64.8% had a performance status of 3/4. About 42% reported pain severity ≥ 4 and 74% were medicated with opioids. Multivariate analysis indicated a correlation between performance status and reported pain (OR: 1.7; IC 95%: 1.0 - 2.7; p = 0.045). Median overall survival was 37 days (IC 95%: 28 - 46). Patients reporting moderate to severe pain (pain severity ≥ 4) had a median survival of 29 days (IC 95%: 21 - 37), comparing with those who had no or moderate pain with median survival of 49 days (IC 95%: 35 - 63) (p = 0.022)., Discussion: The performance status was associated with more intense pain. The performance status, hospitalization, intra-abdominal metastization and opioid analgesia were associated with shorter time to death in advanced cancer patients referred to palliative care., Conclusion: Cancer pain continues to be a major clinical problem in advanced cancer patients.

Introduction: Pain is one of the most common symptoms reported by cancer patients and is associated with decreased quality of life. Assessment of pain with standardized questionnaires reduces variability in its interpretation and may increase effectiveness of medical interventions. Prostate cancer is the most frequent male neoplasm in Portugal. We designed this study to evaluate the impact of a standardized pain questionnaire on pain management in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Material and Methods: Single centre prospective observational study of patients with metastatic prostate cancer. The study was designed to evaluate the benefit of systematically evaluating pain with Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form prior to a scheduled medical oncology consult. Patients reporting pain were reassessed one week later by telephone. To assess the benefit two consecutive cohorts were established based on communication of questionnaire results to the treating physician. Results: We recruited 207 patients of which 60% reported pain. Statistically significant decrease in mean pain intensity one week after the scheduled appointment was noted (3.95 vs 3.01; p < 0.001). Patients whose Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form was provided to their oncologist experienced greater reduction in pain, which was non-significant (p = 0.227). Using Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form assessment resulted in a higher probability of pain control (43.5% vs 30.9%; p = 0.193). Discussion: The prevalence of pain founded was higher than described in the literature, probably because our sample was less selected than the published in clinical trials. After the scheduled appointment, there was a statistically significant reduction in mean pain intensity, but the explicit use of this questionnaire was not associated with a statistically significant reduction of pain. Conclusion: Patients with metastatic prostate cancer have a high prevalence of pain. Evaluation and treatment by medical oncologists is associated with a reduction of mean pain intensity. The use of Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form was associated with a non-significant increased reduction of pain.

Fibromyalgia can be clinically defined by widespread pain lasting for longer than 3 months with tenderness on palpation in 11 or more of 18 specified tender points. Many people with fibromyalgia are significantly disabled, and experience moderate to severe pain for many years, for which conventional analgesics are usually not effective. For these patients treatment options generally include antidepressants like tricyclic agents, serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, or anticonvulsants like pregabalin or gabapentin. Pregabalin is a drug licensed for the treatment of fibromyalgia in the United States of America, with a mechanism of action similar to gabapentin. This mode of action confers antiepileptic, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects. This Cochrane systematic review included 8 randomized, placebo-controlled trials with low risk of bias, which studied the effect of a daily dose of pregabalin for the treatment of moderate to severe pain in adult patients suffering from fibromyalgia. Of the main results of this systematic review we highlight the major effect that a daily dose of 300 to 600 mg of pregabalin had in the reduction of pain intensity over a follow-up period of 12 to 26 weeks, with tolerable adverse effects, for a minority of people with moderate to severe pain due to fibromyalgia. This paper aims to summarize and discuss the main results and conclusions of this systematic review, as well as its implications for the daily clinical practice.

Introduction: The Management of postoperative pain after abdominal surgery is a major challenge to the anesthesiologist. The optimization of postoperative analgesia improves prognosis contributing also to patient satisfaction and reducing morbidity and mortality. The aim of this randomized control study is to perform the comparative analysis in terms of effectiveness of an unconventional and still poorly technique implemented, continuous wound infusion, and the currently most applied and gold standard technique, epidural analgesia, in the postoperative period after abdominal surgery. Material and Methods: Fifty patients, previously subjected to abdominal surgery by median laparotomy with xifo-pubic incision were randomized to receive postoperative analgesia via epidural (n = 25) or via continuous wound infusion (n = 25) during 48 hours. The primary outcome was analysis of pain at rest (< 4/10 numerical pain scale) after 24 hours postoperatively. Scores of pain at six, 12 and 48 hours and three months after surgery were also evaluated, as well as the incidence of adverse effects 48 hours postoperatively. Results: The proportion of patients with successful control of postoperative pain was 84% against 60% with epidural analgesia and continuous wound infusion, respectively. Within the continuous wound infusion group with uncontrolled pain, all patients rated the pain below 6/10 24 hours postoperatively. The incidence of nausea, vomiting, pruritus or íleus was lower in the continuous wound infusion group, with statistically significant results for recovery of intestinal function. There was one case of systemic local anesthetic toxicity with an episode of frequent ventricular extrasystoles without hemodynamic instability, which ceased after suspension of continuous epidural infusion of local anesthetic. Discussion: This study suggests that continuous wound infusion is the technique with most efficacy and safety, being even better than epidural analgesia in postoperative pain control after major abdominal surgery. This technique is associated with better analgesia, lower incidence of side effects, high level of satisfaction and no residual pain, contributing to enhanced recovery. Conclusion: Continuous wound infusion is an effective technique, which should be implemented for analgesia after major abdominal surgery, with advantages when compared with epidural analgesia, especially low incidence of adverse effects. Registration: Trial not registered.

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