RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Patient-controIled analgesia for postcholecystectomy pain: a pilot study JF Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine JO Cleve Clin J Med FD Cleveland Clinic SP 57 OP 59 VO 57 IS 1 A1 Gonsalves, Lilian A1 Covington, Edward C. A1 Broughan, Thomas A1 Currie, Kathleen O. A1 Pippenger, Charles A1 Raaf, John A1 Schneider, Joanne A1 Shepard, Kirk A1 Sogal, Ramesh YR 1990 UL http://www.ccjm.org/content/57/1/57.1.abstract AB Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is designed to avoid both excessive and inadequate analgesia in postoperative pain by allowing the patient self-administration of intravenous narcotics within a range of parameters established by the physician. Of 24 patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy referred to our study over a 12-month period, 11 were assigned to PCA and eight successfully completed the study. Most of them had good analgesia, were satisfied with PCA, and had no evidence of confusion, psychic distress, or visual-motor impairment. Serum morphine concentrations of 10 - 30 ng/mL were sufficient to obtain good analgesia in six of eight patients. Complications included severe respiratory depression and abdominal cramps.