BACKGROUND INFUSION WITH PATIENT-CONTROLLED ANALGESIA - EFFECT ON POSTOPERATIVE OXYHEMOGLOBIN SATURATION AND PAIN CONTROL

The aim of this study was to determine whether the addition of a backg round infusion (BI) to patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) would lead t o significantly improved pain control or poorer oxyhaemoglobin saturat ion (SpO2) after gynaecological surgery. Sixty-two patients were studi ed for 24 hours postoperatively, pain scores and morphine dose were re corded hourly SPO2 was recorded every 10 seconds. Administration of th e BI resulted in a significant increase in total morphine dose receive d although there was no difference in the severity of postoperative de saturation between the therapies. Despite the increased morphine dose pain scores also were similar in the two groups. Addition of a BI at 1 mg/hr did not confer any advantage over PCA alone and is not recommen ded when PCA is used in this patient group.