title: Antireflux valves in intravenous opioid analgesia: are they necessary?
abstract: A study was conducted in patients receiving intravenous opioid analgesia to determine the incidence and degree of retrograde flow along the parallel gravity-driven infusion line. From 1187 hours of observations retrograde flow was found in 2.5% of the total time. In 70% of these cases this was equivalent to less than 1 mg of pethidine and in 96% this was equivalent to less than 5 mg of pethidine. The need for routine use of antireflux valves during intravenous opioid analgesia is therefore questioned.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008751:Methylene Blue; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012212:Rheology
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D008751:Methylene Blue