Abstract
Following identification of highly specific opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord of animals and man in 1973 [1,2], it was demonstrated in 1976 that intrathecal morphine produced antinociception in rats [3]. The first clinical use of the technique for the treatment of cancer pain was reported in 1979 [4]. Today, ten years and several hundred international publications later, the technique of injecting opioids epidurally and intrathecally for the management of acute and chronic pain is well established. Although this modality is not the panacea early reports appeared to promise, its place as a major advance in the management of acute and chronic pain is beyond doubt. This chapter will attempt to provide the current indications for the use of epidural and intrathecal opioids.
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Rawal, N. (1990). Indications for the Use of Intraspinal Opioids. In: Rawal, N., Coombs, D.W. (eds) Spinal Narcotics. Current Management of Pain, vol 6. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1609-1_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1609-1_3
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