J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2011 Apr;22(2):151-155.

Emergency Department-Based Treatment of Acute Ureteral Colic with Hydromorphone and Pethidine: Prospective, Randomized Control Trial

• Choi WJ
• Kim WY
• Sohn CH
• Ryu JM
• Seo DW
• Lee JH
• Lee YS
• Oh BJ
• Kim W
• Lim KS

Abstract

PURPOSE
To compare the efficacies and side effects of intravenous hydromorphone and pethidine in the emergency department (ED) treatment of ureteral colic.
METHODS
A prospective, controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted in a university-affiliated tertiary referral center. All adult patients who presented to the ED with severe ureteral colic were included. The patients received either 1 mg of hydromorphone (n=26) or 50 mg of pethidine (n=26) intravenously. Pain intensity was determined using a 10 cm visual analogue scale 0, 15, 30, and 120 minutes after injection.
RESULTS
Dermographic characteristics and baseline pain scores of both groups were comparable (p>0.05). The pain intensity level for the hydromorphone group was lower than for the pethidine group at 15, 30, and 120 minutes. Pain relief was better with hydromorphone at 15 minutes (p<0.05). Side effects of the two groups were not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
The ureteral colic patients receiving hydromorphone achieved more pain relief. The side effects were similar for either treatment. Hydromorphone should be the preferred agent in suspected ureteral colic, when an opioid analgesic is to be used.

Keyword

hydromorphone; pethidine; ureteral colic

MeSH Terms

Adult
Benzeneacetamides
Emergencies
Humans
Hydromorphone
Meperidine
Piperidones
Prospective Studies
Renal Colic
Tertiary Care Centers
Ureter
Benzeneacetamides
Hydromorphone
Meperidine
Piperidones