Articles: opioid-analgesics.
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Vnitr̆ní lékar̆ství · Sep 1990
[Long-term pain therapy in malignancies using epidural administration of opiates].
The authors explain basic anatomical and pharmacological principles of epidural opiate analgesia. As to clinical aspects, the authors mention briefly the technique of epidural analgesia. They summarize, based on their own experience and data in the literature, the period of insertion of an epidural catheter, opiate dosage in morphine equivalents, the need of adjuvant treatment and complications. They mention briefly various techniques which can be used in epidural opiate analgesia with an outline on perspectives of this method.
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Gynecologic oncology · Jul 1990
Simplified postoperative patient-controlled analgesia on a gynecologic oncology service.
Twenty-nine women who underwent various abdominal operations for gynecologic malignancies self-administered postoperative analgesia by means of disposable Travenol Infusors with Patient Control Modules. Administration of morphine sulfate at a rate of 1 mg per injection and a maximum of 10 mg per hour via patient-controlled analgesia was judged satisfactory by all 29 patients. ⋯ No respiratory depression occurred and excessive sedation was reported by only 2 patients after the first 24 hr postoperatively. If further surgeries were required, more than 90% of these patients would prefer patient-controlled analgesia to intramuscular injections.
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During the long-term treatment with opioids it is sometimes important to switch the opioid or change the route of administration. The estimation of morphine-equivalents can be helpful in this range because it clarifies the dose in milligramm required for different clinical situations. The basis of this estimation is the equianalgesic potency of opioids. ⋯ Useful starting point for calculation an effective dose when changing from one opioid or route of administration to another can result in improved pain control that is more responsive to patient need. The limitations are 1. individual differences in the response to opioids, especially during long-term treatment and in the development of analgesic tolerance, 2. individual differences in the response to alternatives routes of administration, and 3. the unknown degree of cross tolerance among opioid drugs. The scientific meaning of the estimation of i.m. morphine-equivalent is discussed.