Efficacy of epidural morphine for postpartum perineal pain in patients undergoing episiotomy / 临床麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the analgesic efficacy of epidural morphine for postpartum perineal pain in patients undergoing episiotomy.Methods After institutional reviewing board approval and patient consent,a total of 145 parturients requesting epidural labor analgesia and under-going episiotomy were randomized into three groupsM1,M2,and C,where in morphine 1 mg dis-solved in saline 10 ml,morphine 2 mg dissolved in saline 10 ml,or sole saline 10 ml was epidurally given immediately after umbilical cord clamp,respectively.Perineal pain at rest and movement within 24 hours after vaginal delivery were evaluated with present pain intensity (PPI).Further,the time in-terval between a moderate or severe PPI and epidural drug treatment were recorded.Besides,epidural morphine related side effects including nausea,vomiting,pruritus,and urinary retention were ob-served as well.Results The proportion of patients with moderate or severe pain at rest was signifi-cantly lower in group M2 (2.1%)compared to group M1 (15.7)and group C (19.1%)(P <0.05). Further,the time interval between a moderate or severe PPI and epidural drug treatment was signifi-cantly longer in group M2 (15.7±1.4 h)compared to group M1 (11.0±0.9 h)and group C (11.0 ±1.0 h)(P <0.05).No significant difference was found between groups M1 and group C with regard to morphine efficacy.However,the accumulated side effects including nausea,vomiting,pruritus, and urinary retention prominently increased in group M2 (102.1%)compared to group M1 (43.1%) and group C (12.8%)(P <0.05).Conclusion Although epidural morphine 2 mg may significantly decrease and postpone the occurrence of moderate or severe postpartum perineal pain,however,it de-serves consideration before clinical use owing to the increased side effects.