Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, June 1st, 2000
SUMMARY
A young patient had unexpected and prolonged postoperative delirium apparently associated with morphine-induced biliary colic. Naloxone had no therapeutic effect, but a small dose of pethidine produced a dramatic return to lucidity. Unrecognized biliary spasm should be considered as a cause of agitation in the recovery room in postoperative patients who have received morphine.
Key Words: COMPLICATIONS: delirium, pain; ANALGESIA: morphine, pethidine, naloxone
While in general terms the association of postoperative delirium and psychotropic medication is well-known1,2, there is little...
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