The effect of parenteral diclofenac and morphine on duration and height of blockade of continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine 0.5%

Abstract

Twenty‐six patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy (ASA 1‐2) were entered into a double‐blind randomised trail to determin: (a) whether diclofanac given intravenously could influence the effective duration of a continuous epidural infusion of bupivacine 0.5% and (b)0 whether morphine given intravenously altered the height of the regressing block. A block to T4 was established pre‐operatively and a continuous infusion of 0.5% bupivacaine 8 ml.h−1 ran for 14 h. Thirteen patients received 50 mg diclofenac intramuscularly before surgery repeated at 4 and 10h later and 13 patients received saline intramuscularly. the height of blockade and pain scores were measured hourly. Effectibe block duration was defined as regression to t10 or lower andlor a pain a score of 2 or more,. At this point 10 mg of morphine was given intravenously and the height of the block reassessed. Duration of blockade was not significantly prolonged (p>.05), but pain scores were significantly reduced with diclofenac (p