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Effects of epidural diamorphine on the somatosensory evoked potential to posterior tibial nerve stimulation
Author(s) -
LOUGHNAN B. A.,
YAU K. W.,
RANSFORD A. O.,
HALL G. M.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1991.tb09844.x
Subject(s) - medicine , somatosensory evoked potential , anesthesia , epidural space , tibial nerve , scoliosis , propofol , stimulation , somatosensory system , surgery , psychiatry
Summary We have studied the effects of the epidural administration of diamorphine 0.1 mg/kg at the L 3–4 interspace on somatosensory evoked potentials in the cervical epidural space before corrective surgery for idiopathic adolescent scoliosis. A further eight patients in whom anaesthesia was maintained with a propofol infusion acted as a control group. Epidural diamorphine had no effect on the latency or amplitude of the evoked potentials. We conclude that epidural diamorphine is a suitable technique to use in scoliosis surgery because of its lack of effect on neurophysiological variables, although the potential respiratory problems need investigation.