Resumen

VIAL G, MANUEL et al. Opiate use and the risk of diagnostic error in acute abdominal pain: A systematic review. Rev Chil Cir [online]. 2006, vol.58, n.5, pp.347-353. ISSN 0718-4026.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-40262006000500007.

There is controversy about the use of analgesia during the diagnostic work up of acute abdominal pain. We performed a systematic review of literature in databases such as COCHRANE and MEDLINE, looking for randomized clinical trials comparing the use of opiate analgesics and placebo in patients with acute abdominal pain, before surgery. The variables considered were age, gender, adverse effects, diagnosis of appendicitis, changes in physical examination and diagnostic error. Six papers were found, with a mean methodological quality score of 21.6 of a maximum of 36. A total population of 363 patients were treated with opiates and 336 with placebo. There were no differences between groups in age, gender, prevalence of appendicitis or diagnostic errors. There was a significant reduction in pain among patients that received opiates, compared with those on placebo (7.2 and 27.2 mm in the visual analog score, respectively, p=0.02). It is concluded that opiates do not increment the risk of diagnostic errors and significantly reduce pain in patients with acute abdominal pain

Palabras clave : Acute abdominal pain; opiate analgesics; randomized trials.

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