Abstract

The clinical performance of epidural narcotics is determined by the physicochemical characteristics and the doses of the drugs used. Highly lipid-soluble agents are likely to produce a more localized segmental analgesia than poorly lipidsoluble drugs. Rostral spread of narcotic analgesia may be followed by respiratory depression. Safe practice requires that epidural narcotics should not be accompanied by parenteral narcotic administration, and that patients should be placed under appropriate surveillance to avoid the dangers of delayed respiratory depression.