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CONTINUOUS EPIDURAL HYDROMORPHONE FOR POSTTHORACOTOMY PAIN RELIEF

CONTINUOUS EPIDURAL HYDROMORPHONE FOR POSTTHORACOTOMY PAIN RELIEF ANNALS OF THORACIC SURGERY Brodsky, J. B., Chaplan, S. R., Brose, W. G., Mark, J. B. 1990; 50 (6): 888-893

Abstract

Forty-four patients were treated with a continuous infusion of lumbar epidural hydromorphone (0.05%) after thoracic operations. Postoperatively, visual analog pain scores were obtained. On postoperative day 1 and 2, more than 90% of the patients experienced either no pain (visual analog pain scale = 0) or mild pain (visual analog pain score = 1 to 3) at rest. The incidence of side effects (hypoventilation, pruritus, and nausea) was less than reported with other epidurally administered opioids. Continuous infusion of lumbar epidural hydromorphone produced safe, predictable analgesia after thoracotomy.

View details for PubMedID 1700682