Korean J Ophthalmol.  2009 Dec;23(4):273-276. 10.3341/kjo.2009.23.4.273.

Analgesic Effects of Tramadol During Panretinal Photocoagulation

• Ko BW
• Shim JH
• Lee BR
• Cho HY

• KMID: 754762
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2009.23.4.273

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the effectiveness of tramadol for the reduction of pain in panretinal photocoagulation (PRP).
METHODS
A double-masked randomized controlled study was performed. Fifty-eight eyes in 29 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy were enrolled. The eyes of the patients were randomized into two groups. Group A received an empty capsule. Group B received an oral intake of 100 mg tramadol. The capsule used in Group A had the same appearance as that used in Group B. Pain during PRP was assessed using a visual analog scale. Vital signs, including blood pressure and heart rate, were measured.
RESULTS
The mean pain scores for groups A and B were 4.80+/-2.10 and 3.83+/-1.82 (p=0.09). There were no significant differences in the mean pain scores between the two groups. More patients in group A complained of greater pain than moderate intensity (visual analogue scale=4). Systemic blood pressure increased significantly in group A after laser treatment. However, there were no significant differences in the diastolic blood pressure changes between the two groups. We found no statistical correlation in the heart rate changes.
CONCLUSIONS
We failed to prove that tramadol is effective for pain relief because of the small sample size. However, tramadol was effective for the relief of more severe pain. It was also found to stabilize vital sign changes, such as systolic blood pressure during PRP.

Keyword

Pain; Panretinal photocoagulation; Tramadol

MeSH Terms

Administration, Oral
Adult
Aged
Analgesia/*methods
Analgesics, Opioid/*administration & dosage
Case-Control Studies
Diabetic Retinopathy/*surgery
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Double-Blind Method
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Laser Coagulation/*methods
Middle Aged
Pain/*drug therapy/physiopathology
Pain Measurement
Prospective Studies
Tramadol/*administration & dosage
Treatment Outcome
Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative/*surgery

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