[Nursing research on epidural analgesia for chronic cancer pain]

A retrospective study was made on 9 cases with pains due to advanced head and neck cancer, attended to at the Pain Clinic of the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology between 1988 and 1991. An epidural catheter was implanted to these patients at the CNS level for the administration of a morphine solution. 7 patients (77.8%) showed total pain relief; and 2 cases showed easily-controlled slight pains. The most frequent complications were; fever (3 cases) and alterations of the level of consciousness (2 cases). No infections were reported. The importance of an adequate preparation of the patient and a strict follow up, where oncology nursing personnel play an important role, is pointed out.