Epidural fentanyl by continuous infusion for relief of postoperative pain.
Data from the charts of 40 patients in whom a continuous epidural infusion of fentanyl had been used to effect postoperative pain relief were retrospectively reviewed. Of these patients, 39 out of 40 (97.5%) reported adequate analgesia at an average fentanyl infusion rate of 1.3 micrograms/kg/h. After discharge from the postanesthesia recovery room, each patient was sent to a general medical-surgical nursing floor with standard orders for medications to be administered as required. The overall incidence of side effects was low, and, in particular, respiratory depression was not noted. In our experience, this analgesia technique is safe, effective, and could be readily introduced into most community hospital settings.
Kreitzer
J M
JM
Department of Anesthesiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, City University of New York, NY 10029-6574.
Kirschenbaum
L P
LP
Eisenkraft
J B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D005283:Fentanyl