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Lessons Learned with Extended-release Epidural Morphine after Total Hip Arthroplasty

  • Clinical Research
  • Hip
  • Published:
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

Abstract

An extended-release epidural morphine (EREM) has been introduced to improve postoperative pain management. Studies have shown the effectiveness of this agent in providing better pain control and patient satisfaction for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. We evaluated postoperative pain relief by comparing average daily pain scores and opioid use with those of the control group. Safety was measured by comparing the occurrence of postoperative complications, nausea and vomiting, pruritus, and respiratory depression between the two groups. Between February 2006 and March 2008, we selected 203 patients to receive EREM for THA. These patients were matched in a 2:1 ratio with patients undergoing THA and receiving spinal anesthesia. We retrospectively reviewed all major and minor postoperative complications from a prospective database. Patients receiving EREM had lower pain scores than patients not receiving EREM on Postoperative Day 1 (POD 1) but not POD 2, or POD 3. Patients receiving EREM experienced a slightly higher incidence of pulmonary embolism and supraventricular tachycardia. Patients receiving EREM also experienced more nausea and vomiting and pruritus. We found EREM provided better pain relief on POD 1 at the expense of a slightly higher incidence of side effects compared with spinal anesthesia alone.

Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rothman Institute of Orthopaedics, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Lauren Kahl BS, Javad Parvizi MD, FRCS, William J. Hozack MD, Peter F. Sharkey MD & Richard H. Rothman MD, PhD

  2. Department of Anesthesia, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Eugene R. Viscusi MD

Authors
  1. Lauren Kahl BS
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  2. Javad Parvizi MD, FRCS
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  3. Eugene R. Viscusi MD
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  4. William J. Hozack MD
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  5. Peter F. Sharkey MD
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  6. Richard H. Rothman MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard H. Rothman MD, PhD.

Additional information

Dr. Eugene R. Viscusi is a consultant for Pacira Pharmaceuticals and EKR Therapeutics (distributor of DepoDur®) Thomas Jefferson University has received grant support for DepoDur® studies. The remaining authors have no conflict of interest to disclose regarding the preparation of this paper.

Each author certifies that his or her institution approved the human protocol for this investigation and that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.

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Kahl, L., Parvizi, J., Viscusi, E.R. et al. Lessons Learned with Extended-release Epidural Morphine after Total Hip Arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res 468, 1082–1087 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-009-1181-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-009-1181-3

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