Comparison of patient-controlled analgesia in children by i.v. and s.c. routes of administration

SUMMARY Sixty children undergoing appendicectomy were allocated randomly to receive one of two PCA regimens with morphine. Group IV received standard i.v. PCA with a bolus dose of morphine 20 μg kg −1 and a background infusion of 4 μg kg −1 h −1 while group SC received PCA by the s.c. route with a bolus dose of morphine 20 μg kg −1 and a background infusion of 5 μg kg −1 h −1 . In both groups there was a lockout interval of 5 min. Group SC self-administered significantly less morphine (P