title: Epidural buprenorphine for pain relief after major abdominal surgery. A controlled comparison with epidural morphine.
abstract: In a controlled trial epidural buprenorphine was compared with epidural morphine as the sole means of analgesia after major abdominal surgery. Bolus injections of buprenorphine 60 micrograms in 10 ml or morphine 2 mg in 10 ml of normal saline were given on demand for the first 48 hours postoperatively. Both drugs produced significant reduction in pain scores as assessed by the linear visual analogue scale and both produced prolonged analgesia at this dosage, which could be extended by further 'top-ups'. The authors conclude that, for postoperative epidural analgesia, buprenorphine may be the opiate of choice and the reasons for this are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004824:Epidural Space; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009019:Morphinans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009019:Morphinans; D002047:Buprenorphine; D009020:Morphine