Effects of Nefopam on Hyperalgesia After Cardiac Surgery

Postoperative pain after major surgery is consecutive not only to the nociceptive inputs coming from the surgical lesion, but also to peripheral and central neuronal sensitization. This lead to postoperative hyperalgesia and allodynia that are enhanced by the per operative use of high opioid doses. Anti-NMDA drugs have been reported as able to reduce this sensitization process and then to decrease acute morphine tolerance during the postoperative period. Nefopam has been lately shown to combine in experimental trials analgesic and anti hyperalgesic effects. The aim of this study is to compare anti-hyperalgesic effects of nefopam given either before incision and continuously for the following 48hours or starting from the end of the surgery and given for 48hours to a control group that would receive placebo for 48hours. Postoperative analgesia will be based on morphine PCA. Pain scores, hyperalgesia, allodynia, postoperative morphine consumption, and development of chronic pain will be the main criteria that will be evaluated during this study