calcitonin and Pain--Postoperative

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of calcitonin spray on bone healing following open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of mandibular fractures. Fourteen patients were subdivided into a study group and a control group. A standardized surgical protocol for ORIF was followed. Postoperatively, salmon calcitonin nasal spray was administered to only the study group. The outcome parameters assessed were serum osteocalcin, pain, and radiographic bone healing. Serum osteocalcin was assessed pre- and postoperatively. Postoperative pain was documented using a visual analogue scale (VAS) on the 7th, 14th, 23rd, and 30th days. An orthopantomogram was used to score fracture healing at four time intervals, as follows: 1 - absence of callus; 2 - presence of minimal callus; 3 - considerable callus; and 4 - complete fusion of fracture. Pain scores were lower for the study group, with no pain from the fifth day, while the control group produced a mean score for day 5 of 2.43 ± 0.98 (p = 0.001). Mean postoperative serum osteocalcin levels were higher for the study group (67.82 ± 8.89) compared with the control group (57.69 ± 6.22; p = 0.029). Bone healing at 12 weeks postoperatively was level 4 for 28.6% of patients in the study group and level 3 for 71.4%. In comparison, 85.7% in the control group demonstrated level 3 healing, while 14.3% remained at level 2 (p = 0.462). Within the limitations of the study, it can be concluded that intranasal salmon calcitonin spray reduces postoperative pain and facilitates fracture healing, although its economic efficiency is still to be proven.

Topics: Calcitonin; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Humans; Mandibular Fractures; Nasal Sprays; Pain, Postoperative; Treatment Outcome

The hormone calcitonin has proved itself for some years in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes. In addition to its known influence on calcium exchange it gives vise to an analgesic effect within the central nervous system and this follows systemic administration or after bolus intrathecal injection. Two patients with chronic non malignant pain are presented in whom continuous delivery pumps have been used for intrathecal Lachs-Calcitonin (Karil, Fa. Sandoz).

Topics: Brachial Plexus Neuritis; Calcitonin; Female; Humans; Infusion Pumps; Injections, Spinal; Intervertebral Disc Displacement; Lumbar Vertebrae; Male; Middle Aged; Pain, Postoperative; Sciatica; Spinal Nerve Roots