Open Access<p>Role of Inhaled Methoxyflurane in the Management of Acute Trauma Pain</p>
Author(s) -
Andrea Fabbri,
Germana Ruggiano,
Sergio García Collado,
A. Ricard-Hibon,
Umberto Restelli,
Giovanni Sbrana,
Franco Marinangeli,
Alberto Farina,
Frank Coffey
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of pain research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 49
ISSN - 1178-7090
DOI - 10.2147/jpr.s252222
Subject(s) - methoxyflurane , medicine , acute pain , analgesic , anesthesia , pain management , intensive care medicine , adverse effect , emergency department , pharmacology , psychiatry , halothane
Adequate treatment of trauma pain is an integral part of the management of trauma patients, not just for ethical reasons but also because undertreated pain can lead to increased morbidities and worse long-term outcomes. Trauma pain management presents challenges in the pre-hospital setting, particularly in adverse or hostile environments as well as in busy emergency departments (EDs). Inhaled methoxyflurane, administered at analgesic doses via a disposable inhaler, has recently become available in Europe for the emergency treatment of moderate to severe pain in conscious adult trauma patients. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that inhaled methoxyflurane is well tolerated and effective in providing a rapid onset of analgesia. In this paper, we discuss the rationale for methoxyflurane use in trauma pain management, data from clinical trials recently conducted in Europe, its efficacy and safety profile compared to current standard treatments, its place in therapy and organizational impact. We conclude that inhaled methoxyflurane represents an effective treatment option in the different settings where trauma patients require rapid and flexible pain resolution, with potential organizational advantages.