Postoperative analgesia and lung function: A comparison of narcotic analgesic regimens

Abstract

Eighty-eight men who underwent elective vagotomy and drainage were allocated to one of two methods of postoperative narcotic analgesia. Either the analgesia was given intramuscularly when requested or it was given regularly by intramuscular injection or continuous intravenous infusion. Although there was a considerable difference in total quantities of drug given by these two methods, there were only marginal differences of pulmonary gas exchange or lung volumes. © 1973 John Sherratt and Son Ltd.