Korean J Anesthesiol.  1997 Mar;32(3):423-426. 10.4097/kjae.1997.32.3.423.

The Effect of Propofol on Pruritus induced by Epidural Morphine

• Lee MK
• Lim SH
• Lee IH
• Yoon SM
• Choi YS

• KMID: 2033330
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1997.32.3.423

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Epidural morphine is used commonly for postoperative pain control. But, pruritus, although trivial, is a common side effect. It is reported that subhypnotic doses of propofol are effective against pruritus induced by epidural or subarachnoid morphine.
METHODS
Sixty five patients received epidural morphine 4 mg bolus and 4 mg/day with continuous infusion for 2 days via Baxter infusor. The patients who have pruritus with scratching were allocated randomly to receive either 1 ml propofol(10 mg) or 1 ml placebo(Intralipos ) intravenously. Pruritus was assessed 5 min later using a pruritus rating scale with double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
RESULTS
Forty patients showed pruritus with scratching. The overall success rate in treating pruritus was 75% in propofol group and 25% in placebo group. Compared with placebo, propofol was effective significantly(P<.05).
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that propofol in a subhypnotic dose is an efficient drug treatment for epidural morphine induced pruritus.

Keyword

Analgesics; morphine; Anesthetic techniques; epidural; Anesthetics; intravenous; propofol; Complications; pruritus

MeSH Terms

Analgesics
Anesthetics
Humans
Infusion Pumps
Morphine*
Pain, Postoperative
Propofol*
Pruritus*
Analgesics
Anesthetics
Morphine
Propofol