buprenorphine and Hematoma--Subdural

Meloxicam is a cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) preferential non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with very effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in swine. Previous reports in piglets have demonstrated that meloxicam also inhibits COX-1 and reduces production of thromboxane significantly. We use preinjury analgesia in our immature swine (3-5-day-old piglets) model of brain injury using rapid head rotations without impact. In 23 consecutive subjects we found that premedication with meloxicam (n = 6) produced a significantly higher mortality rate (5/6 or 83%) than buprenorphine (n = 17, 1/17 or 6%, P < 0.02). On gross neuropathological examination of the meloxicam-treated swine, we observed massive subdural and subarachnoid bleeding which were not present in buprenorphine-premedicated animals. To our knowledge there are no previous reports in swine of increased bleeding or platelet inhibition associated with meloxicam administration and further research is needed to define mechanisms of action in piglets. We caution the use of meloxicam in swine when inhibition of platelet aggregation might adversely affect refinement of experimental research protocols, such as in stroke, trauma and cardiac arrest models.

Topics: Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Brain; Brain Injuries; Buprenorphine; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; Disease Models, Animal; Hematoma, Subdural; Injections, Intramuscular; Meloxicam; Premedication; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Survival Rate; Swine; Thiazines; Thiazoles

A 46-year-old man involved in a traffic accident was admitted to our university hospital for treatment of acute subdural hematoma of the brain, multiple rib fractures and hemothorax. On admission, he manifested disturbance of consciousness, and his left upper and lower extremities were paralyzed. Blood gas analysis revealed hypoxia, and he was nasotracheally intubated. He was mechanically ventilated with 10 cmH2O positive end-expiratory pressure for treatment of rib fractures following surgical removal of the subdural hematoma and insertion of a sensor into the epidural space for measurement of intracranial pressure. Despite continuous intravenous infusion of midazolam and buprenorphine, he was agitated and thrashed from side to side, probably due to severe chest pain caused by rib fractures. Agitation was effectively controlled by continuous thoracic epidural administration of morphine and bupivacaine. Intracranial pressure did not increase, and epidural analgesia was without sequelae. The patient's level of consciousness gradually improved, rib fractures were treated and he was extubated on the 25th hospital day. These findings indicate that epidural analgesia is useful for controlling pain-related agitation caused by head and chest injuries if increased intracranial pressure is not present.

Topics: Accidents, Traffic; Analgesia, Epidural; Analgesics, Opioid; Bupivacaine; Buprenorphine; Craniocerebral Trauma; Fractures, Bone; Hematoma, Subdural; Humans; Intracranial Pressure; Male; Middle Aged; Monitoring, Physiologic; Morphine; Pain; Ribs