Effect of epidural morphine on the Hoffman-reflex in man.
Four healthy, young subjects undergoing knee surgery with epidural anaesthesia were given epidural morphine for the relief of post-surgical pain. The Hoffman (H)-reflex was tested before and after the injection of morphine in the epidural space. The reflex was chosen as a monitor of the function of monosynaptic pathways in the spinal cord. Analogue scales for the measurement of pain revealed a satisfactory decrease of nociception after morphine injection, while the H-reflex was not significantly affected. This study may confirm that monosynaptic reflexes are not affected by epidural administration of morphine and that they are probably not involved in pain transmission.
D000328:Adult; D004824:Epidural Space; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012023:Reflex, Monosynaptic / Q000187:drug effects*
D009020:Morphine