Local toxicity during the subcutaneous infusion of narcotics (SCIN)

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In a prospective study, a subcutaneous infusion of narcotics (SCIN) was started in subclavicular or abdominal regions using a no. 25 butterfly needle. The subcutaneous infusion site was not changed unless signs or symptoms of local toxicity were evident. Triceps skinfold was determined as a measure of subcutaneous tissue. In 45 consecutive inpatients with cancer pain requiring SCIN, 119 sites were studied. Mean duration of the sites was 7.3 ± 5.2 (range 1- 29) days. Age, sex of the patients, type or concentration of the narcotic, use of the same site for extra doses of narcotic, or the measurement of the subcutaneous tissue did not significantly affect the duration of subcutaneous site. The most frequent reason for changing the site was patient discharge; the most common local toxicity found was redness. It is concluded that subcutaneous sites for morphine and hydromorphone infusions can be changed weekly, which gives further support to the safety and efficacy of using these narcotics subcutaneously.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: