Cancer pain relief by continuous administration of epidural morphine in a hospital setting and at home.
Fifteen patients with severe pain due to malignancy were treated by continuous epidural morphine infusions. A disposable external pump was used. Patients were treated in a hospital setting or at home for a total of 906 days. Pain intensity was estimated by VAS. The pumps functioned well. Bacterial growth was found in 0.6% of the balloon reservoirs used, while the epidural filters were free from growth. There were no clinical infections. It appears that this delivery system is safe, practical and suitable for use in the home environment.
Ohlsson
L
L
Department of Anaesthesia, Hospital Pharmacy, Clinical Bacteriological Laboratory and Department of Surgery, Central Hospital, S-291 85 KristianstadSweden.
Rydberg
T
T
Edén
T
T
Persson
Y
Y
Thulin
L
L
D000368:Aged; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction
D009020:Morphine