Patient-controlled analgesic therapy: clinical experience.
Fifty-six surgical patients self-administered i.v. narcotic analgesics to combat postoperative pain. Analgesic demand per h was 2.7 +/- 1.1 mg of morphine, 26 +/- 10 mg of pethidine or 2.3 +/- 0.8 mg of ketobemidone, which reflects the equianalgesic ratios. Acute respiratory depression was seen in two hypovolaemic patients as evidenced by a raised PaCO2 on air breathing. Carbon dioxide retention disappeared upon correction of hypovolaemia. Late respiratory complications of short duration were encountered in 13%. Drowsiness and dry mouth were the most frequent complaints. Self-administered analgesia was considered highly satisfactory by the patients.
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012119:Respiration
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid