Intrathecal and Epidural Morphine for Postoperative Pain Control after Lumbar Laminectomy

ABSTRACT

A number of reports have shown that intrathecal and epidural administration of morphine provides acute or chronic pain relief. We report the use of morphine for postoperative pain control in 84 lumber laminectomy patients. These patients were compared to the 24 control patients. Single dose of morphine in 0.5ml saline was administered under the direct vision into the intrathecal or the epidural space just before the closure of the lumbar operative wound. Intrathecal group was divided into 4 subgroups 0.2mg, 0.5mg, 1mg and 2mg and epidural group was also divided into 2 subgroups 2mg, 5mg, respectively. Under the visual pain analogue scale, postoperative pain control were statistically significant in intrathecal 0.5mg, 1mg and epidural 2mg, 5mg group, respectively(P<0.01). Respiratory depression was occurred in 2 cases of intrathecal 2.0mg group and nausea with vomiting was occurred in 10 cases but prutitus was not occurred. Urinary Retention was developed between 86.7% and 100% of study group compared to 45.8% of control group.