一种新型硬脑膜外麻醉方法不需要导管或者静脉输液，使得手术后患者能够在48小时内缓解疼痛，没有任何不方便或者维持给药。

这种药物疗法叫做DepoDur（硫酸吗啡延迟释放脂质体注射），单次硬膜外麻醉给药，使用DepoFoam技术允许止痛剂随着时间逐步释放到硬膜外间隙。这就减少了对外置导管和泵的需求，那是其它形式大手术后止痛通常采取的方法。DepoDur既不需要留置导管用于持续释放止痛剂，也无需要患者依赖静脉通路。

DepoDur被用于大手术后的疼痛控制，包括臀部手术和膝盖置换术、剖腹产以及重大的腹部外科手术。该药物疗法已经获得了美国食品药品管理局的许可，在一项临床试验中876例接受重大外科手术患者术后转归明显改善。给予DepoDur的患者疼痛强度指数下降，减少了对急救药物的需求。在美国和加拿大DepoDur是由Endo制药公司推向市场的。

Duke大学医学中心麻醉科助理临床教授Gavin Martin医生说：“使用DepoDur我们有效控制患者疼痛，较少使用笨重的设备，还能够提高医院的经验。”

Post-Surgery Pain Reliever

A new epidural that does not require a catheter or intravenous (IV) drip enables post-surgery patients to get the relief they need for 48 hours without any inconvenience or maintenance.

Called DepoDur (morphine sulfate extended-release liposome injection), the medication is delivered as a single epidural injection, using DepoFoam technology that allows the painkiller to be released over time into the epidural space. This may reduce the need for external tubes and pumps that are common with other forms of pain management following major surgery. DepoDur does not require an indwelling catheter for continuous pain relief, nor does the patient need to be attached to an IV pole.

DepoDur is indicated for pain management following major surgery, including hip and knee replacement, cesarean section, and major abdominal surgery. The medication has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), based on clinical data showing significantly improved outcomes in 876 patients undergoing major surgical procedures. Patients given DepoDur medication. Depodur is marketed in the United States and Canada by Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Chadds Ford, PA, USA).

“With DepoDur, we can provide effective pain control for patients with fewer cumbersome devices, possibly improving the hospital experience,” stated Gavin Martin, M.D., assistant clinical professor of anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center (Durham, NC, USA).