No abstract

Neostigmine is frequently used to reverse muscle relaxation at the end of colonic surgery. However, the drug should be used with caution as it has been implicated as a cause of early anastomotic disruption.

SummaryThirty f i t patients presenting for elective total hip replacement were randomly allocated to receive a premedication of 60 or 90 mg controlled-release oral morphine or I S mg intramuscular morphine. Postoperative analgesia was assessed using on-demand intravenous pethidine supplementation requirements.In IS patients free plasma morphine concentrations were measured. Both 60 and 90 mg controlled-release oral morphine led to a reduced pethidine requirement compared to the intramuscular group but the reduction was not statistically different.