[Postoperative analgesia by peridural piritramide application]

Postoperative analgesia was achieved by peridural injection of small doses of piritramide (Dipidolor Gedeon Richter Budapest) to 24 gynaecological and surgical patients. Periods of action were longer than those obtainable from equivalent intramuscular or intravenous injections. Undesirable side effects of the opiates, such as disorders of respiration, vomiting, clouded consciousness, and suppression of cough reflex, were not observed. The method did not affect locomotor and sympathetic nerve fibres and, consequently, proved to be superior to postoperative analgesia by means of local anaesthesia. Repetitive injections can be made by nurses. Peridural opiate analgesia can be recommended for postoperative situations and for other patients with pain.