Extradural sufentanil by patient-controlled analgesia or nurse-administered compared with optimal morphine in a high dependency unit: effects on oxygenation and pain relief after abdominal surgery.
The incidence of apnoeic episodes (> 12 s) was measured in 30 surgical patients allocated randomly to one of three analgesic regimens and all nursed in a high dependency unit. Ten patients received i.m. morphine (mean 52 (range 30-80) mg), administered on request. The remaining 20 patients received extradural sufentanil as an initial bolus dose of 50 micrograms followed by a bolus of 10 micrograms, either self-administered using PCA (10 patients: mean 275 (range 130-450) micrograms) or administered by a nurse on request (10 patients: 144 (70-200) micrograms). With i.m. morphine apnoeic episodes were maximal 2-3 h after administration while after extradural sufentanil, apnoeas were maximal within a few minutes.
Slade
J M
JM
Department of Anaesthetics, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff.
Read
M S
MS
Klepper
I D
ID
Rosen
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; D001049:Apnea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects; D017409:Sufentanil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D009020:Morphine; D017409:Sufentanil; D010100:Oxygen