Use of MEOPA (Equimolar Mixture of Nitrogen Protoxide and Oxygen) for Elderly With Dementia

Use of MEOPA for Elderly With Dementia.

Acute pain is frequent in elderly especially in geriatrics acute care units where painful procedures are often occurring.

MEOPA represents an alternative to opioïd therapy to prevent procedural pain during the treatment of pressure ulcers.

In this study, cognitive impairment and dementia do not limit the use of MEOPA. The new approach in the management of acute procedural pain provides effective and safe analgesia in frail old patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• dementia (Folstein scoring between 0 and 25)
• older than 75
• health necessitating of painful care for example eschar care

Exclusion Criteria:

• bullous emphysema
• pneumothorax