The Research Roundup provides an overview of the past week’s research from Mayo Medical Laboratories consultants, including featured abstracts and complete list of published studies and reviews.
After vaginal surgery, oral and parenteral narcotics are used commonly for pain relief, and their use may exacerbate the incidence of sedation, nausea, and vomiting, which ultimately delays convalescence. Previous studies have demonstrated that rectal analgesia after surgery results in lower pain scores and less intravenous morphine consumption. Belladonna and opium rectal suppositories may be used to relieve pain and minimize side effects; however, their efficacy has not been confirmed. Mayo Clinic researchers conducted a study aimed to evaluate the use of belladonna and opium suppositories for pain reduction in vaginal surgery. Based on their results, they found belladonna and opium suppositories are safe for use after vaginal surgery. Belladonna and opium suppositories did not reveal lower pain or substantially lower narcotic use. Further investigation may be warranted to identify a population that may benefit optimally from belladonna and opium use. The study was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.