Epidural scopolamine administration in preventing nausea after epidural morphine.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of epidural scopolamine in preventing nausea and vomiting in patients receiving epidural morphine.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind study.


METHODS
Inpatient surgery clinic at a regional general hospital.


METHODS
50 patients undergoing major abdominal and lower limb surgery.


METHODS
Morphine alone 2.5 to 4 mg was administered via epidural catheter to one group, while the other group received morphine plus scopolamine 0.25 mg via epidural catheter.


RESULTS
Occurrence of nausea and vomiting was recorded during the first postoperative day. Compared with the morphine alone group, the incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in the morphine plus scopolamine group without difference in the adequacy of analgesia.


CONCLUSIONS
Epidural scopolamine can be used as an adjunct to epidural morphine in effectively reducing the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Department of Anesthesiology, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel.
R
R
Moscovici
G
G
Prego
M
M
Schwartz
O
O
Steinfeld
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007268:Injections, Epidural; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy
D000932:Antiemetics; D009294:Narcotics; D009020:Morphine; D012601:Scopolamine