Fortschritte der Medizin
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We investigated pain relief following 1-2 mg morphine intrathecally applied in 7 patients with cancer pains and in 5 patients with multiple rib fractures (group 1). For postoperative pain relief (group 2) we applied 1-2 mg morphine intrathecally in 26 patients immediately before the induction of the anaesthesia. In 30 patients we applied 4 mg morphine epidurally in 10-20 ml saline solution for postoperative pain relief (group 3). ⋯ In the second group a respiratory depression occurred in 3 cases and was successfully treated with naloxon. In the third group a bladder disorder occurred in two cases. Because of the risk of respiratory depression following intrathecally applied morphine, we recommend the epidural way of application.