Robel T Beyene, Marshall W Wallace, Nicholas Statzer, Susan E Hamblin, Edward Woo, Scott D Nelson, Brian F S Allen, Matthew D McEvoy, Derek A Riffert, Amber N Wesoloski, Fei Ye, Rebecca Irlmeier, Michele Fiorentino, Bradley M Dennis
BACKGROUND: Thoracic epidural catheters (TECs) are useful adjuncts to multimodal pain regimens in traumatic rib fractures. However, TEC placement is limited by contraindications, patient risk profile, and provider availability. Continuous peripheral infusion of ketamine and/or lidocaine is an alternative that has a modest risk profile and few contraindications. We hypothesized that patients with multiple traumatic rib fractures receiving TECs would have better pain control, in terms of daily morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) and mean pain scores (MPSs) when compared with continuous peripheral infusions of ketamine and/or lidocaine...
September 13, 2024: Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery