Subcutaneous infusion of ketamine and morphine for relief of postoperative pain: a double-blind comparative study.
Low dose ketamine by subcutaneous infusion (0.1 mg.kg-1.h-1) was compared in a double-blind fashion with a similar infusion of morphine (0.03 mg.kg-1.h-1) for postoperative analgesia in 60 ASA-I adults after major abdominal surgery. Pain was assessed using visual analogue scales and sedation was graded on a four-point rank drowsiness score. Cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were also recorded. Pain relief was better with the ketamine infusion than with morphine infusion (P < 0.001). Both tidal and minute volume parameters improved better with ketamine (P < 0.001); patients were more awake and alert as evidenced by the drowsiness score (P < 0.001). Nine out of 30 patients who received morphine required catheterisation for urinary retention (P < 0.05). The study revealed higher analgesic efficacy of a low dose subcutaneous infusion of ketamine with lesser sedation and fewer side effects.
Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, University College of Medical Sciences, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India.
A
A
Bhattacharya
A
A
Gurnani
P K
PK
Sharma
A K
AK
Sethi
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000187:drug effects; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects; D013990:Tidal Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000139:chemically induced
D007649:Ketamine; D009020:Morphine