Unexpected complication of successful nerve block

Abstract

A case is reported of a 76‐year‐old man with a right‐sided mesothelioma who required large doses of oral narcotics to control his severe chest pain. After a successful chlorocresol intrathecal nerue block, respiratory failure was induced by doses of oral morphine at the same level as those used before the block, and also by substantially smaller doses. A considerable reduction in analgesic requirements may be possible following non‐drug intervention to relieve pain and may be essential in patients with compromised respiratory function. This observation emphasises the importance of pain as a potent stimulator of the respiratory centre in patients with reduced respiratory reserue who are receiving narcotic drugs.