Effects of epidural diamorphine on the somatosensory evoked potential to posterior tibial nerve stimulation

Abstract

SummaryWe have studied the effects of the epidural administration of diamorphine 0. I mg/kg at the L , interspace on somatosensory evoked potentials in the cervical epidural space before corrective surgery for idiopathic adolescent scoliosis. A further eight patients in whom anaesthesia was maintained with a propofol infusion acted as a control group. Epidural diamorphine had no effect on the latency or amplitude of the evokedpotentials. We conclude that epidural diamorphine is a suitable technique to use in scoliosis surgery because of its lack of eflect on neurophysiological variables, although the potential respiratory problems need investigation.

Effect of Preoperative Epidural Morphine Administration on Desflurane Requirements During Gynecologic Surgery

“…29 Epidural morphine probably does not reduce afferent input, as evidenced by lack of changes in somatosensory evoked potentials. 30,31 The inability to block tonic afferent input may explain why epidural morphine did not reduce desflurane requirements when titrated to BIS.…”