Efficacy and patient acceptability of analgesia by intranasal diamorphine in burns patients: results of a pilot project

  • Muhammad Adil Abbas Khan House Officer Department of Plastic, Reconstructive & Burns Surgery
  • Thomas Reekie House Officer Department of Plastic, Reconstructive & Burns Surgery
  • R Breakey House Officer Department of Plastic, Reconstructive & Burns Surgery
  • Mark Gorman House Officer Department of Plastic, Reconstructive & Burns Surgery
  • Mritunjay Kumar Varma University Hospital of North Durham, Durham, United Kingdom DH1 5TW
  • Simon Law University Hospital of North Durham, Durham, United Kingdom DH1 5TW
Keywords: Intranasal diamorphine, Total body surface area, Burn, Burn Unit; Analgesia

Abstract

Objective: To objectively assess intranasal diamorphine as an analgesic adjuvant for change of dressings in burn
patients.
Methodology: Eleven patients were recruited at a regional burns centre for this pilot study. Intranasal diamorphine
at a weight-calculated dose was administered through an atomizer and patient vital signs and APVU scores were
documented pre and post administration. A post-procedural satisfaction questionnaire was also completed by all
patients.
Results: Eleven patients (8 males and 3 females) were recruited for this pilot project. Mean age was 34 years (19-57
years) and mean burn total body surface area (TBSA) was 8.9% (4-17%). Procedure duration was a mean of 53.0
minutes (30-72 minutes). Six of the patients had a past history of opiate use. The data of our small-scale study
shows that it has good analgesic efficacy, rapid-onset, safety and high degree of patient satisfaction without the
need for intravenous access. There were no side-effects and all patients expressed satisfaction with the analgesia
given.
Conclusion: Intranasal diamorphine provides effective analgesia for moderate to severe procedural pain and can
be a safe analgesic adjuvant for change of dressings in burn patients

Published
01-30-2019
How to Cite
Khan, M. A. A., Reekie, T., Breakey, R., Gorman, M., Varma, M. K., & Law, S. (2019). Efficacy and patient acceptability of analgesia by intranasal diamorphine in burns patients: results of a pilot project. Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care, 128-130. Retrieved from https://mail.apicareonline.com/index.php/APIC/article/view/454
Section
Original Articles