Abstract
Five children (11-15 years, weight 22.2-46kg) undergoing spinal fusion for scoliosis received subcutaneous infusion of morphine for postoperative pain relief.
We diluted mophine hydrochloride with normal saline to 5mg/ml. After surgery, a 25-gauge butterfly needle was inserted subcutaneously in the anterior chest.
The infusion rate was 0.5-2mg/h (0.1-0.4ml/h). The rate was increased or decreased according to pain or the presence of side effects.
Consequently, patients received morphine at a rate of 10.9-31μg/kg/h for 38.5-61.5 hours.
Three of the 5 patients required additional analgesics once while receiving the morphine infusion. Abdominal distension, nausea or vomiting occured in all patients, but neither respiratory depression or excessive sedation were observed in any patients.
We concluded that morphine by continuous subcutaneous infusion is an effective analgesic, eliminating the problems inherent to multiple intramuscular injections and the risk of overdosage.
