Morphine is still the best narcotic for pain relief. In the recovery room, narcotics are first given intravenously and later intramuscularly. Regional anesthesia can also be used for postoperative pain relief. For example, after a cholecystectomy, intercostal nerve blocks with 0.5% bupivacaine will often provide 12~18 hours of pain relief.

Epidural administration of narcotics is an important advance in pain relief. Complete analgesia can be obtained for 12~24 hours with no interference with autonomic or motor function. However, the patient must be carefully observed for signs of delayed respiratory depression, which may occur 2~ 6 hours following administration of narcotics.

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