BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Intravenous or epidural patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a safe and effective technique in the treatment of postoperative pain. However, the use of opioids is not devoid of risks,and respiratory depression represents the most feared complication. The objective of the present study was to describe the incidence of respiratory depression associated with postoperativ...

1 The nerve-induced secretion produced by the rat parotid gland is proportional to the frequency of stimulation. Morphine decreased the flow rate during stimulation at 2.5 and 5 Hz, but not at 20 Hz. This frequency-dependent action of morphine and was partially reversed by naloxone. 2 The secretion produced by the rat parotid gland during an intravenous infusion of acetylcholine was not diminis...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of intrathecal morphine on pulmonary function, analgesia, and morphine plasma concentrations after cardiac surgery. INTRODUCTION Lung dysfunction increases morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. Regional analgesia may improve pulmonary outcomes by reducing pain, but the occurrence of this benefit remains controversial. METHODS Forty-two patients we...

BACKGROUND Post-thoracotomy pain is the most severe types of postoperative pain. This study compares the effects of intrapleural bupivacaine and morphine on post-thoracotomy pain. METHODS In a double blind clinical trial study, 30 patients candidate for unilateral thoracotomy were randomly divided into bupivacaine and morphine groups. Patients in the morphine group received 0.2 mg/kg morphine...

BACKGROUND Intravenous morphine use is associated with elevated histamine release leading to bronchoconstriction, edema and hemodynamic instability in some patients. This study evaluated the possibility that sulfite, which is present as a preservative in many morphine preparations, might contribute to histamine release in vitro. RESULTS The human mast cell line, HMC-1, was exposed to various ...

Purpose. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks have been shown to reduce pain and opioid requirements after abdominal surgery. The aim of the present case series was to demonstrate the use of TAP catheter injections of bupivacaine after major abdominal surgery. Methods. Fifteen patients scheduled for open colonic resection surgery were included. After induction of anesthesia, bilateral TAP c...

BACKGROUND The analgesic effect of perioperative low doses of intravenous lidocaine has been demonstrated after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to evaluate whether a continuous intravenous low-dose lidocaine infusion reduced postoperative pain and modified nociceptive pain threshold after total hip arthroplasty. METHODS Sixty patients participated in this randomized double-blinded study. ...

  The involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the reinforcing properties of opiate reward was studied by examining the effect of a NO precursor (L-arginine) and a NO synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) on the rate of intravenous self-administration of morphine. This experiment was investigated in male albino Sprague Dawley rats (300 ± 50 g). At doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg (i.p.), L-arginine decreased morphine ...

150 words) Study Objective To compare intranasal fentanyl (INF) with intravenous morphine (IVM) for prehospital analgesia. Methods Randomized, controlled, open-label trial. Consecutive adult patients (n=258) requiring analgesia (Verbal Rating Score (VRS) >2/10 non-cardiac or >5/10 cardiac) were recruited. Patients received INF 180mcg +/2 doses of 60 mcg at ≥ 5 minute intervals, or IVM 2.5-5mg +...