Epidural fentanyl in the management of postoperative pain.
Epidural fentanyl (Sublimaze; Janssen) in the management of postoperative pain, with particular attention to efficacy and safety, was investigated. A treatment group (group 1) of 31 patients and a control group (group 2) of 30 patients were used. Group 1 received epidural fentanyl 100 micrograms postoperatively, while in the control group pain was treated with intramuscular pethidine 1.5 mg/kg 4-6-hourly as required during the 11 hours in the recovery room. Epidural fentanyl started working within 20 minutes and provided excellent analgesia for 8 hours or more postoperatively, comparable to repeated doses of intramuscular pethidine. Of the patients in group 1 13% experienced tolerable pruritus and the incidence of nausea and vomiting was small relative to that recorded in group 2.
D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D004824:Epidural Space; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008614:Meperidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014556:Urine
D004573:Electrolytes; D008614:Meperidine; D005283:Fentanyl