Epidural versus intramuscular pethidine in postoperative pain relief

Twenty-one patients received epidural pethidine 0,75 mg/kg in 10 ml normal saline for postoperative analgesia. A control group of 20 patients received intramuscular pethidine 1,5 mg/kg. Respiratory and cardiovascular parameters in both groups were stable, and in both side-effects were similar and not serious. In the epidural group analgesia was more intense and of longer duration and the level of consciousness was better. Central depression was present in both groups but less so in the epidural group.