Ann Coloproctol.  2014 Aug;30(4):186-191. 10.3393/ac.2014.30.4.186.

Enhancing the Enhanced Recovery Program in Colorectal Surgery - Use of Extended-Release Epidural Morphine (DepoDur(R))

• Peravali R
• Brock R
• Bright E
• Mills P
• Petty D
• Alberts J

• KMID: 2169742
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3393/ac.2014.30.4.186

Abstract

PURPOSE
DepoDur(R) is a single-dose extended-release morphine injection into the epidural space. It is not commonly used, but has many advantages over traditional analgesic regimens. We analyzed a number of these advantages in our case series in the context of the colorectal enhanced recovery program (ERP) and aimed to show that the ERP could be further enhanced by using DepoDur(R).
METHODS
We conducted a prospective audit of all patients undergoing open and laparoscopic colorectal procedures where DepoDur(R) was used between July 2010 and April 2012. Validated pain scores were used, and primary outcome measures were resting and dynamic pain, mobilization, and need for additional analgesia.
RESULTS
Two hundred eighty patients were included in the case series. Good pain control was seen at 24 and 48 hours. Eighty-one percent of the patients required simple analgesia alone at 24 hours, and 62% required simple analgesia (paracetamol +/- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) alone at 48 hours. Only a minority required additional oramorph and patient-controlled analgesia at 24 and 48 hours (19% at 24 hours and 38% at 48 hours). Seventy-nine percent of the patients were mobilized at 24 hours, and 88% of the patients were mobilized at 48 hours.
CONCLUSION
DepoDur(R) is an effective alternative to conventional pain management techniques and may have a role in further enhancing the ERP.

Keyword

Analgesia; Colorectal surgery; Pain management; Postoperative period

MeSH Terms

Analgesia
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled
Colorectal Surgery*
Epidural Space
Humans
Morphine*
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Pain Management
Postoperative Period
Prospective Studies
Morphine