Continuous infusion of epidural morphine to relieve postoperative pain. Protocol and results

We have evaluated the efficaciousness and side effects of continuous administration of morphine by lumbar epidural route for relieving postoperative pain in major surgery of the abdomen and orthopedic surgery. Lumbar epidural catheters were placed to 25 patients (mean age, 52 years) before induction...

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Published inRevista española de anestesiología y reanimación Vol. 37; no. 2; p. 63
Main Authors Yáñez González, A M, Camba Rodríguez, M A, Valle Ortiz, M J, García Iglesias, A, González Guerra, P, Mosquera Freire, R, Pita Romero, R
Format Journal Article
LanguageSpanish
Published Spain 01.03.1990
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Analgesia, Epidural
Clinical Protocols
Drug Evaluation
Female
Humans
Infusions, Parenteral
Male
Middle Aged
Morphine - administration & dosage
Pain, Postoperative - drug therapy
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Summary:We have evaluated the efficaciousness and side effects of continuous administration of morphine by lumbar epidural route for relieving postoperative pain in major surgery of the abdomen and orthopedic surgery. Lumbar epidural catheters were placed to 25 patients (mean age, 52 years) before induction of general anesthesia. All patients received a 4 mg bolus dose of morphine sulfate 1 hour before finalization of general anesthesia and subsequently they were placed on a continuous infusion of morphine sulfate at 0.3-1 mg/h. All patients achieved analgesia which maintained then pain-free and allowed early ambulation and initiation of active respiratory physiotherapy. Duration of continuous analgesia varied from 3 to 5 days. No patient presented respiratory depression; four presented nausea and eight had urinary retention. We believe that continuous epidural infusion of morphine is efficacious and safe for the treatment of acute postoperative pain in patients undergoing abdomen major surgery and orthopedic surgery.
ISSN:0034-9356