Related Experiment Videos
Pain during bone marrow aspiration: prevalence and prevention
Philine Vanhelleputte1, Kristel Nijs, Michel Delforge
1Center for Hospital Services and Nursing Research, University Hospital Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
|September 12, 2003
Summary
Pain during bone marrow aspiration (BMA) is common in adult hematology patients, even with local anesthesia. Pre-treating with tramadol significantly reduces this procedural pain and is well-tolerated, improving patient comfort.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pain Management
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Bone marrow aspiration (BMA) is a common procedure in hematology.
- Pain during BMA under local anesthesia is not well-defined.
- Understanding pain determinants and prevention is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the prevalence, intensity, and determinants of pain during BMA in adults.
- To evaluate the efficacy of oral tramadol for pain prevention during BMA.
Main Methods:
- Observational phase: 132 adult patients rated BMA pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS).
- Interventional phase: 100 patients were randomized to receive oral tramadol (50 mg) or placebo one hour before BMA.
- Linear regression analysis identified pain correlates.
Main Results:
- 86% of patients reported procedural pain (mean VAS 27.2+/-2.1 mm); 36% experienced moderate to severe pain.
- Pain intensity correlated positively with procedure duration and negatively with patient age.
- Tramadol group showed significantly lower VAS scores (16.5+/-3.0 mm) vs. placebo (28.8+/-3.4 mm).
- Tramadol reduced moderate-to-severe pain from 40% to 20%.
- Side effects (dizziness, sedation) were infrequent and similar between groups.
Conclusions:
- A majority of adult hematology patients experience moderate to severe pain during BMA despite local anesthesia.
- Pretreatment with oral tramadol is an effective and well-tolerated strategy to reduce BMA-associated pain.