Patterns of sedation and analgesia in the postoperative ICU patient.

Control of pain, discomfort, and agitation is an integral part of the postoperative management of critically ill patients. We examined the sedative and analgesic practices in a surgical ICU during two six-month periods, one in 1986-1987 and the other in 1989-1990. Narcotics, especially morphine and Fentanyl, were the most commonly used drugs. The amount of Fentanyl received by the endotracheal patients in the 1986-1987 group was quite large, 5.5 +/- 4.3 (SD) mg/day. The use of midazolam during the second survey period was associated with a reduced dose of narcotics in artificially ventilated patients receiving continuous intravenous Fentanyl and morphine. The use of epidural Fentanyl, especially following thoracic surgery, was greatly increased during the second study period. More work is needed to assess the effects and effectiveness of ICU sedative and analgesic regimens.