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Long-term subcutaneous morphine administration after surgery in newborns

  • Kerstin Rouss , Andreas Gerber , Manuela Albisetti , Maja Hug and Vera Bernet
Published/Copyright: February 1, 2007
Journal of Perinatal Medicine
From the journal Volume 35 Issue 1

Abstract

Aim: To analyze the management of newborns after major surgery receiving morphine subcutaneously and to identify possible side effects.

Methods: Morphine was administered via a subcutaneous catheter (Insuflon®) in 20 newborns after major surgery. Side effects like hypotension, pain during morphine administration and local infection were noted. Morphine dose was adjusted according to the hospital guidelines with the Neonatal Infant Pain Score (NIPS) and the Finnegan withdrawal score.

Results: Surgery was performed at the median age of 38 5/7 weeks (range: 32 1/7–49 5/7 weeks). Before starting subcutaneous morphine administration, patients received intravenous morphine for a median of two weeks (range six days to seven weeks). All patients showed good pain relief with no severe side effects. Three patients reacted with crying to the first dose of subcutaneous morphine. No other side effects occurred.

Conclusion: Subcutaneous application of morphine with the Insuflon® catheter is an alternative to intravenous treatment of postoperative pain in neonates. In this small group pain relief was good and side effects were harmless.

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Corresponding author: Dr Vera Bernet University Children's Hospital Zurich Neonatology and Intensive Care Steinwiesstr. 75 8032 Zurich/Switzerland

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Published Online: 2007-02-01
Published in Print: 2007-02-01

©2007 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York

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