[Epidural morphine as adjunct to epidural anaesthesia in obstetrics (author's transl)]

Epidural opiate as a single analgesic during labour failed to relieve pain sufficiently. According to a synergistic effect of epidural opiate and local anaesthetic a combination of both drugs appears to be useful for obstetric analgesia. In a double-blind-study a single epidural morphine-application at an early stage of labour led to prolonged intervals of reinjection during conventional epidural anaesthesia with bupivacaine. The reduced dosage of local anaesthetic improves neonatal status and reduces the necessity of extractional aids. In addition the long-lasting postpartum pains. Side-effects, such as vomiting and pruritus, are rare.