Articles: analgesia.
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Seventy cancer patients suffering from visceral or somatic pain received continuous epidural methadone (EM) analgesia. Initially, 4 mg of 0.1% methadone was given three times daily. If this dose proved ineffective, it was gradually increased to 8 mg four times daily. ⋯ Four of these patients responded well and continued treatment for an average of 18 days. No serious side effects have been observed with EM. With a proper selection of patients and following strict therapy guidelines, epidural methadone is efficacious in treating cancer pain.
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Curr. Opin. Obstet. Gynecol. · Dec 1991
ReviewAdvances in anesthesia and pharmacology in the puerperium.
The past year has provided us with some interesting studies concerning pharmacology and anesthesia during the puerperium. I review the prevalence of various anesthetic techniques, as well as the use of different aspiration prophylaxis regimens. I also look at innovations in the administration of epidural and subarachnoid anesthetics, including use of the Sprotte needle to prevent postoperative headache. ⋯ Furthermore, predelivery injections of glucocortoid may protect against bronchopulmonary dysplasia. I also review painstaking studies that help to better understand thyroid stimulation and regulation during pregnancy. I hope this paper helps the busy obstetrician understand some of the highlights of this year's new literature on obstetric anesthesia and pharmacology.