Continuous intravenous infusion of opioid analgesics for severe pain.

Severe continuous pain is frequently a complication of terminal malignancy and other disease or trauma states. Effective pain relief will be an important factor in the physical and psychological outcome for the patient. At times, the continuous intravenous infusion of opioid analgesics will be indicated. Indications and guidelines for this therapy are described, with an illustrative case study.