European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Narcotics when used for postoperative analgesia may release histamine and cause bronchospasm in asthmatic patients. The present study was conducted to compare ketamine and tramadol for postoperative analgesia in asthmatics.
Materials & Methods: 60 asthmatic patients of both genders were divided into 2 groups of 30 each. Group I received ketamine-midazolam infusion preceded by a bolus of ketamine 0.5 mg-kg-' IV. Group II received a bolus dose of tramadol (2 mg/kg) followed by an intravenous infusion (0.2 mg · kg⁻¹· h⁻¹) postoperatively. Parameters such as Forced vital capacity in 1 s (FEV₁), respiratory rate, pain score in minutes and sedation score was compared.
Results: Group I had 16 males and 14 females and group II had 12 males and 18 females. There was significant difference in respiratory rate and non- significant difference in forced vital capacity in 1 s (%) and pain score in minute in both groups. The mean sedation score at baseline was 3.2 in group I and 5.2 in group II, at 1 hour was 2.5 in group I and 4.7 in group II, at 2 hours was 2.3 in group I and 3.4 in group III and 1.7 in group I and 2.8 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: Both Ketamine and tramadol infusion can provide a safe alternative to the usual parenteral narcotic therapy in asthmatics in terms of analgesia