Epidural Pain Relief Research Articles

Pain management: a review of the uses of epidural analgesia.

Epidural analgesia can be a valuable method of pain control in a variety of situations. It can facilitate early mobilisation and enhance recovery from surgery. This article describes the physiology of epidural pain relief and the nurse's role in monitoring patients effectively, recognising complications and minimising risk.

Enhancement of the epidural morphine-induced analgesia by systemic nifedipine

We evaluated postoperative pain relief and incidence of side effects of the combination of epidural morphine (0.5 mg) and sublingual nifedipine (10 mg). Thirty-six patients were submitted to elective operations and divided into 4 groups receiving placebo (groups A and B) or morphine (groups C and D) by the epidural route, followed by sublingual placebo (groups A and C) or nifedipine (groups B and D) administered in a double-blind fashion. The mean (±S.E.M.) periods of analgesia were 16.6 ± 1.6 ( A), 15(B), 105 ± 77.0 ( C), and 428.8 ± 72.0 ( D) min. No patient had pruritus, excessive sedation or respiratory depression. Episodes of nausea and/or vomiting requiring no specific therapy were observed in groups A, B and D. Nifedipine-treated groups also had a significant fall in blood pressure which was controlled by rehydration. These results indicate that epidural morphine-induced postoperative pain relief may be enhanced by systemic administration of nifedipine, with easily controlled side effects.

Epıdural catheters migration during postoperative analgesia

A Study was undertaken to determine the direction of catheter migration in 1 O patients who had epidural analgesia tor postoperative pain relief. in 7 patients the catheter had not moved from its position at siting, in one it had moved outwards and in 2, inwards. in nane of the patients studied did the epidural cease to function because the catheter had migrated completely out of the epidural space.

Epidural Medication after the Initial Dose: Reflections on Current Methods of Administration during Labour

Most women who receive epidural pain relief during labour require additional epidural analgesia following the initial dose. This review examines the relative merits associated with current methods of epidural drug delivery when further analgesia is required. Apart from considerations of patient safety and convenience the review compares the relative flexibility in pain management which can be provided by these different regimens. It is postulated that patient satisfaction is enhanced when the mother has some personal control over the density of neural blockade provided by epidural analgesia.