title: The effect of parenteral diclofenac and morphine on duration and height of blockade of continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine 0.5%.
abstract: Twenty-six patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy (ASA 1-2) were entered into a double-blind randomised trial to determine: (a) whether diclofenac given intravenously could influence the effective duration of a continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine 0.5%, and (b) whether morphine given intravenously altered the height of the regressing block. A block to T4 was established pre-operatively and a continuous infusion of 0.5% bupivacaine 8 ml.h-1 ran for 14 h. Thirteen patients received 50 mg diclofenac intramuscularly before surgery repeated at 4 and 10 h later and 13 patients received saline intramuscularly. The height of blockade and pain scores were measured hourly. Effective block duration was defined as regression to T10 or lower and/or a pain score of 2 or more. At this point 10 mg of morphine was given intravenously and the height of the block reassessed. Duration of blockade was not significantly prolonged (p > 0.05), but pain scores were significantly reduced with diclofenac (p < 0.01). Morphine did not alter blockade height. It is concluded that epidural bupivacaine and diclofenac act additively on postoperative pain.
authors.affiliation: Health Care International (Scotland) Ltd, Clydebank.
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Forbes
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Binning
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D002045:Bupivacaine; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D004008:Diclofenac; D009020:Morphine; D002045:Bupivacaine