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Comparison of respiratory effects of tramadol and oxycodone
P Tarkkila1, M Tuominen, L Lindgren
1Department of Anaesthesia, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Study Objective:
To compare the respiratory effects of tramadol and oxycodone.
Design:
Placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized study.
Setting:
IV Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital.
Patients:
36 ASA physical status I and II patients undergoing minor surgery with general anesthesia.
Interventions:
The respiratory effects of intravenous (i.v.) tramadol 0.6 mg/kg and oxycodone 0.04 mg/kg were compared after induction of anesthesia with propofol and succinylcholine-facilitated endotracheal intubation. Patients spontaneously breathed halothane in 70% nitrous oxide and oxygen via a nonrebreathing valve. The trial drugs or placebo were given after recovery from neuromuscular block.
Measurements And Main Results:
Inspiratory and expiratory oxygen and end-tidal carbon dioxide concentrations (ETCO2), tidal volume (VT) minute volume of ventilation (VE), and respiratory rate (RR) were recorded by side-stream spirometry with end-tidal halothane of 0.3% for 30 minutes before surgery. Oxycodone caused a significant respiratory depression seen as an increase in the inspiratory-expiratory oxygen difference and ETCO2 and as a decrease in VE and RR. On the contrary, the effect of tramadol were similar to those of placebo. VT was not affected by any study drug.
Conclusion:
Tramadol was not associated with respiratory depression in the present setting.