A comparison of fentanyl and morphine for patient controlled analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intravenous patient controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) is a most common used delivery system for intravenous administration of opioids during acute post operative pain management. The objective of this study is to compare the rate of opioid induced adverse reactions and effectiveness among two IV-PCA opioids, morphine, fentanyl, in laparoscopic cholecystectomy pain management. METHODS: Sixty patients in ASA physical status 1 and 2 scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were allocated randomly to either morphine IV-PCA used (n = 30, Group M) group or fentanyl IV-PCA used (n = 30, Group F) group. In each group, numerical rating scale (NRS) score, sedation score and incidence of side effect were checked. RESULTS: NRS score of Group F showed lower than that of Group M during PACU and 3 hrs after the recovery room (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in sedation score among two groups. The incidences of adverse reactions were similar in the two groups, though the incidence of nausea and pruritus were higher in the Group M. CONCLUSIONS: Fentanyl IV-PCA is more advantageous than morphine IV-PCA for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in view of early pain control and adverse reaction incidences.