title: Morphine: controlled trial of different methods of administration for postoperative pain relief.
abstract: Forty-five patients who had undergone major operations were given a slow intravenous injection of morphine sulphate (1 mg/ml saline) until their pain was relieved and were then randomly divided into three equal groups to receive different regimens of morphine sulphate over the next 72 hours. Patients in group A received 3.5 times the pain-relieving dose (28-63 mg, mean 36 mg) by continuous intravenous infusion; those in group B received the pain-relieving dose (90-160 mg, mean 110 mg) intramuscularly, four-hourly for the first 24 hours, six-hourly for the next 24 hours, and then eight and 20 hours later; and those in group C received the pain-relieving dose (80-280 mg, mean 140 mg) intramuscularly as required. Pain was assessed on a linear analogue scale and vital capacity and peak expiratory flow rate measured 12-hourly. The mean pain score was significantly lower and respiratory function significantly better in group A than in groups B and C. Only one patient (in group A) required extra morphine. Thus morphine administered by continuous intravenous infusion is superior to other regimens, giving better pain relief at a lower dosage.
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011897:Random Allocation; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D009020:Morphine