The Effects of Epidural Morphine and Bupivacaine after Upper Abdominal Surgery / 대한마취과학회지

ABSTRACT

Among various mehtods for postoperative pain management, epidural narcotics is one of the most prevalent techniques used by anesthesiologists. Although it is a highly effective analgesia, epidural morhpine has disadvantages such as delayed onset, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, urinary retension and even life-threatening respiratory depression. To search for a more effective analgesic mehtod with minimum side effects, we studied the effects of morphine, bupivacaine and a combination of each durg with different dosages in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery. Hemodynamic changes, duration of analgesia, and side effects were compared. The results suggested that the combination of 2 mg of morphine and 0.125% of bupivacaine is the most effective method with minimum side effects for postoperative pain.