Articles: analgesia.
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Fifteen patients undergoing thoracotomy were given 0.25 or 0.50 mg morphine intrathecally (L2-L3 or L3-L4) for an analgetic and pharmacokinetic study. Administration of morphine at the end of the operation resulted in a highly variable duration of analgesia ranging from 1-20.5 and 1-40 h for the 0.25 and 0.50 mg groups, respectively. Calculation of cumulative consumption pattern of additional analgesics given im indicated a dose-related analgesia lasting around 12 h. ⋯ For the 0.50 and 0.25 mg groups, the terminal elimination half-life in CSF was 175 +/- 9 min and 196 +/- 13 min, respectively: the volume of CSF distribution was 0.88 +/- 0.16 ml X kg-1 and 1.06 +/- 0.17 ml X kg-1, respectively: and the clearance from CSF was 2.81 +/- 0.41 microliter X kg-1 X min-1 and 3.41 +/- 0.55 microliter X kg-1 X min-1, respectively (means +/- SEM). The study indicates that the significant pharmacokinetic parameter related to the long duration of analgesia after intrathecal morphine administration probably is the high CSF concentrations found, since the rate of elimination from CSF is similar to what is reported for morphine in plasma. Furthermore, modulation of nociceptive input in the thoracic region also may be achieved by lumbar administration, but a slower onset should be anticipated.
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Comparative Study
Differential sensory and motor blockade after spinal cocaine in the rat and marmoset.
Various concentrations of local anaesthetic agents have been injected into the rat and marmoset via a chronically implanted cannula in the subarachnoid space. In the rat, cocaine at a concentration of 0.125% produced analgesia without motor blockade whereas higher concentrations produced motor blockade in some animals. ⋯ It would appear that differential blockade of sensory function without motor loss can be achieved by cocaine. New local anaesthetics based on cocaine or similar chemical structures would seem potentially valuable.
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Many critically ill patients suffer pain which can produce by itself undesirable effects. Consequently, pain must be carefully prevented, or at least, treated early and effectively. ⋯ Computer-assisted intravenous "on demand" analgesia with Fentanyl can also be used. When pain coverage is required during transient events such as active physiotherapy or dressing changes, additional intravenous of a narcotic (1-2 mg morphine e.g.) or inhalation of nitrous oxide with oxygen are usually effective.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The effect of phenoxybenzamine on postoperative urinary complications during extradural morphine analgesia.
One hundred and fifty patients, post-Caesarean section, were investigated to evaluate the effect of epidural morphine analgesia and that of phenoxybenzamine on the frequency and extent of urinary complications. Forty patients (group A) underwent Caesarian section under general anaesthesia, while 110 patients received epidural anaesthesia. Of the latter patients, 40 received postoperative mild analgesics (group B) whilst in another 40, postoperative continuous epidural morphine was administered (group C). ⋯ The need for bladder catheterization was also increased in group B compared with group A, while in group C this increase was marked compared with both groups A and B. It was significantly less frequent in those receiving phenoxybenzamine. Phenoxybenzamine is recommended in the prevention of postoperative urinary complications associated with epidural anaesthesia and epidural morphine analgesia.