Epidural morphine delivered by a percutaneous epidural catheter for outpatient treatment of cancer pain.
Twenty-three outpatients with cancer pain refractory to other methods of pain control were treated with epidural morphine (EM) delivered through a chronically placed percutaneous lumbar epidural catheter. Patients and their families were taught to administer EM at home. Mean EM doses ranged from 18 to 31 mg/day. Mean catheter lifespan was 6.3 weeks. There were no catheter-related infections or cases of respiratory depression. After 2500 patient treatment days, we have found this method to be a safe and effective method of cancer pain management in outpatients.
Downing
J E
JE
Department of Anesthesiology, Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, LA 70121.
Busch
E H
EH
Stedman
P M
PM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059408:Pain Management
D009020:Morphine