Combined infusions of morphine and ketamine for postoperative pain in elderly patients.
The value of using a combined infusion of morphine with a variable dose of ketamine for postoperative analgesia following upper abdominal surgery was assessed in a double-blind randomised study of 40 elderly patients. Four groups of 10 patients received an infusion of morphine at 1 mg.h-1, either alone, or combined with ketamine at a rate of 5, 10 or 20 mg.h-1. The addition of ketamine to a continuous infusion of morphine did not significantly improve either analgesia or postoperative lung function. Increasing the dose of ketamine resulted in an increased incidence of postoperative dreaming (p < 0.01).
Edwards
N D
ND
Department of Anaesthesia, University of Sheffield Medical School.
Fletcher
A
A
Cole
J R
JR
Peacock
J E
JE
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004325:Dreams; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
D007649:Ketamine; D009020:Morphine