ABSTRACT
A randomized single blind clinical trial was carried out in order to compare the effectiveness of oral morphine syrup and injected morphine in premedication of postpartum tubal sterilization by local anaesthesia. A total of 200 postpartum patients were divided into two groups by systemic random sampling. The first group of 100 patients was premedicated with 30 mgs of syrup morphine orally 90 minutes before operation, and the second group of 100 patients was premedicated with 10 mgs of morphine hydrochloride via the intramuscular route 15 minutes before operation. All patients were given tubal sterilization by first- and second- year residents, using the modified Pomeroy technique. The pain experienced by each patient during the operation was evaluated by verbal and numerical rating scales. The pain scores and the operating time of both groups were analysed by the Mann Whitney U test and pair t test, respectively. The pain scores of the first and second group were 3.644 + 1.802 and 3.570 + 1.470, respectively, with no significant difference. The operating time was 10.300 + 1.904 and 11.200+ 2.543 minutes in the first and second group, respectively. The effectiveness of oral morphine syrup and intramuscular morphine in premedication for postpartum tubal sterilization was found to give the same results. The cost-effectiveness of oral morphine syrup is greater and it can therefore replace intramuscular morphine in premedication for postpartum tubal sterilization.