Investigation of the pharmacokinetics and analgesic effects of an intramuscular injection of sustained-release sufentanil for postoperative pain: an open study.

Study Objectives: To investigate the pharmacokinetics after an intramuscular (IM) injection of sufentanil in thin vegetable oil in postsurgical patients and to determine whether sustained-release IM sufentanil can provide safe and sufficient analgesia of long duration in these patients.

Design: Open study.

Setting: University hospital.