Relief of Post-operative Pain: Comparison of a 25% Nitrous-oxide and Oxygen Mixture with Morphine

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Abstract
The use of vital capacity and peak expiratory flow rate readings to estimate the degree of pain after upper abdominal surgery is described. A mixture of 25% N2O and O was administered to 20 patients and a significant degree of pain-relief was obtained lasting for a few minutes after administration was stopped. In terms of vital capacity and peak flow the improvement was better than that obtained by morphine (1 mg/stone (0.16 mg/kg) body weight). The combined use of N2O and morphine gave better results than either agent alone. The value of a 25% N2O mixture as an aid to physiotherapy and for prolonged use after abdominal operations is discussed.

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