Comparison of two methods of intravenous administration of morphine for postoperative pain relief.
Morphine sulphate was used for the control of pain following major abdominal surgery for a period of three days either as patient-controlled or continuous infusion. The two groups of patients were comparable with regard to patient and operation details, duration of infusion, pain scores and complications. The only significant difference was a reduced dose requirement of morphine in the patient-controlled analgesia group (P less than 0.005). Some possible explanations for this finding are given. It is suggested that a properly supervised continuous infusion of morphine is as good as patient-controlled administration. There was a negative correlation between the age of the patient and the dose of morphine used.
Zacharias
M
M
Department of Anaesthesia, Southland Hospital, Invercargill, New Zealand.
Pfeifer
M V
MV
Herbison
P
P
D000368:Aged; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012651:Self Medication; D013997:Time Factors
D009020:Morphine