Comparison of epidural and intravenous opioid analgesia after elective caesarean section.
Patient acceptance is a particularly relevant method of assessing currently employed epidural and intravenous techniques of opioid analgesia after elective caesarean section. We have prospectively studied 71 such patients, randomised postoperatively to receive epidural morphine, intravenous morphine or intravenous pethidine. When compared with either intravenous opioid, epidural morphine provided twofold better average or excellent analgesia with 30% less drowsiness but with about 50% more pruritus. In spite of this troublesome complication, more patients (83% vs 74%) preferred epidural to intravenous opioid analgesia.
Cade
L
L
Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Ashley
J
J
Ross
A W
AW
D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000451:nursing; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000451:nursing; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008614:Meperidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D009020:Morphine; D008614:Meperidine