The use of tramadol in analgesic-supplemented anesthesia

Abstract

The effects of tramadol used as an adjunct to balanced or analgesic-supplemented anesthesia were evaluated in Thai patients who underwent abdominal, orthopedic, or superficial surgery. Twenty-three patients were included in this study. Anesthesia was induced with intravenous pentothal sodium. Succinylcholine was used to facilitate intubation. Anesthesia was maintained with oxygen and nitrous oxide (1.5-2.0:3 L/min). Nondepolarizing muscle relaxants were used and respiration was controlled throughout surgery. Tramadol 1.5-2.0 mg/kg was given initially and incremental doses (10 to 20 mg) were given as needed. At the end of the operation, the action of the relaxant used was reversed with atropine and prostigmine. Patients were awake and resumed adequate spontaneous respiration. Some side effects, such as increased salivary secretion during surgery, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting postoperatively, were mild. Most of the patients had analgesia for sometime postoperatively.