A comparative study of three concentrations of intravenous nalbuphine combined with hydromorphone for post-cesarean delivery analgesia

Abstract

Abstract. Background:. Nalbuphine has been suggested to be used for post-cesarean section (CS) intravenous analgesia. However, ideal concentration of nalbuphine for such analgesia remains unclear. The present study was conducted to explore an ideal concentration of nalbuphine for post-CS intravenous analgesia by evaluating the analgesic effects and side-effects of three different concentrations of nalbuphine combined with hydromorphone for post-CS intravenous analgesia in healthy parturients. Methods:. One-hundred-and-fourteen parturients undergoing elective CS were randomly allocated to one of three groups (38 subjects per group) according to an Excel-generated random number sheet to receive hydromorphone 0.05 mg/mL + nalbuphine 0.5 mg/mL (group LN), hydromorphone 0.05 mg/mL + nalbuphine 0.7 mg/mL (group MN), and hydromorphone 0.05 mg/mL + nalbuphine 0.9 mg/mL (group HN) using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, PCA bolus demands, cumulative PCA dose, satisfaction score, Ramsay score, and side-effects such as urinary retention were recorded. Results:. The number of PCA bolus demands and cumulative PCA dose during the first 48 h after CS were significantly higher in group LN (21 ± 16 bolus, 129 ± 25 mL) than those in group MN (15 ± 10 bolus, 120 ± 16 mL) (both P 0.05). VAS scores were significantly lower in group HN than those in group MN and group LN for uterine cramping pain at rest and after breast-feeding within 12 h after CS (all P 0.05). Ramsay sedation scale score in group HN was significantly higher than that in group MN at 8 and 12 h after CS (all P < 0.01) and group LN at 4, 8, 12, 24 h after CS (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:. Hydromorphone 0.05 mg/mL + nalbuphine 0.7 mg/mL for intravenous PCA could effectively improve the incisional pain and uterine cramping pain management and improve comfort in patients after CS. Trial registration number:. ChiCTR1800015014, http://www.chictr.org.cn/ Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.