[Long-term experiences with mechanical patient-controlled analgesia pumps for therapy of postoperative pain in general surgery].

The efficiency and safety of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in the treatment of postoperative pain is well documented. An alternative to electrical systems is the disposable pump, which is cost effective. The aim of this study was to prove the efficiency and safety of PCA disposable pumps. Eighty patients (45 men, 35 women, mean age 50 +/- 16 years) were included and received single-use PCA pumps (Vygon Medical Products, Aachen, Germany) for postoperative pain control. A sufficient reduction in pain levels, measured by the Verbal Rating scale (VRS), was achieved in nearly all patients. For the first application, a single bolus of 7.0 +/- 2 mg piritramide (Dipidolor) was needed, the mean of treatment time was 56 +/- 31 h. We had two dropouts because of non-compliance, two patients felt dizzy, and one patient felt nauseous. Further side-effects were observed during treatment. Our study led us concluded that PCA therapy with mechanical, disposable pumps is a safe and efficient treatment for postoperative pain. Such a concept can be introduced without an "Acute Pain Service" if the staff are well trained.