We compared effects on motor function of four peptides belonging to the dynorphin family--dynorphin-(1-17) (DYN-(1-17], dynorphin-(1-13) (DYN-(1-13], dynorphin-(1-8) (DYN-(1-8] and alpha-neo-endorphin (alpha NE). After intrathecal administration, each of these peptides produced dose-related, flaccid, hindlimb paralysis, with the order of potency being DYN-(1-17) greater than DYN-(1-13) greater ...

The number of patients with bowel dysfunction due to the treatment of rectal cancer has increased during the recent decades. Anatomical and functional disorders after the removal of the rectum are followed by increased stool frequency, urgency, multiple evacuations and flatus or stool incontinence characterizing the low anterior resection syndrome - LARS. The purpose of this article is to prese...

BACKGROUND Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is one of the major symptoms in palliative care with a prevalence of 30-50%. Methylnaltrexone for the treatment of OIC is significantly more effective than placebo, but only in about fifty percent of the patients regardless of dose increase. Dose increases cause increased toxicity without additional efficacy, and are therefore not recommended. While ...

BACKGROUND Subcutaneous methylnaltrexone is efficacious and well tolerated for opioid-induced constipation (OIC) but may theoretically disrupt opioid-mediated analgesia. METHODS Opioid use, pain intensity, and opioid withdrawal (Objective Opioid Withdrawal Scale [OOWS] and Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale [SOWS] scores) were reported in a randomized, double-blind trial with an open-label ex...

BACKGROUND To assess the protocols of epidural analgesia versus systemic opioid-based analgesia retrospectively in 1555 thoracotomies in our thoracic centre during 2011-2013. METHODS Pain therapy is aggressive and standardized in our thoracic centre thoughout the complete postoperative stay. Patients receive either standardized epidural analgesia with ropivacaine + sufentanil 4-8 mls/h (500 m...

conclusions pain management in patients with liver dysfunction is always challenging to physicians because of the adverse reactions of drugs, especially opioids. opioids should be used cautiously since they can cause sedation, constipation and sudden encephalopathy effects. since the clearance of these drugs in patients with hepatic insufficiency is decreased, the initial dose must be decreased...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Opioid-bowel dysfunction (OBD) is a broad range of symptoms potentially associated with opioid therapy. This prospective, multicentric study assesses the prevalence of OBD in patients on analgesic therapy for the treatment of pain from any cause and identifies the factors associated with the onset of this side effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS Consecutive patients aged >...

AIM The aim of this study was to test the feasibility a new method for systematic screening late sequelae (LS) following colorectal cancer treatment. METHOD Patients with from five Danish hospitals were invited complete survey about LS at 3, 12, 24 and 36 months after surgery as part their follow-up. consisted primarily validated tools, supplemented by few ad hoc items, measuring bowel, urinary...

OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to assess the usefulness of functional magnetic stimulation in controlling neurogenic bowel dysfunction in spinal cord injured patients with supraconal and conal/caudal lesions, and to investigate the efficacy of this regimen with a 3-month follow-up. DESIGN A longitudinal, prospective before-after trial. SUBJECTS A total of 22 patients with chronic spi...

Malabsorption as a result of decreased intestinal function is a frequently occurring problem in intensive care units. Small bowel dysfunction may lead to malnutrition and may predispose patients to infectious complications (sepsis) and may be linked to increased hospitalization duration, morbidity and mortality. There are several small bowel function tests, such as faecal fat excretion and suga...