[Peridural morphine in the treatment of postoperative pain (author's transl)].

The action of peridural morphine (1.5, 3.0 and 5.0 mg) as compared to placebo was studied in the patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair or lower extremity surgery under peridural anaesthesia. Morphine produced a dose-dependent intensive and long lasting segmental analgesia which was statistically significantly superior to placebo at all dosages. This action was however accompanied by a high incidence of urine retention and vomiting. We did not find any respiratory or circulatory depression. Nevertheless, it is accentuated that under different clinical conditions this depression might be highly probable.