Der Anaesthesist
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
[Investigations on epidural morphine. Efficacy, solvent, analgesic supplementation].
The effects of epidural morphine for pain relief after orthopaedic surgery of the lower extremity were examined in 60 patients. Intraoperative analgesia was achieved with epidural administration of 2% mepivacaine. The patients were divided in a double-blind, random fashion into 3 groups. ⋯ The solution (glucose or normal saline) had no influence on morphine effectiveness. The side effects were urinary retention in 8 patients (20%) and pruritus in one (3%). It is concluded that 2 mg of morphine base administered epidurally is an effective method of postoperative pain relief in orthopaedic patients.