Epidural Morphine for Control of Pain after Lumbar Laminectomy

ABSTRACT

Epidural morphine has been used successfully for the relief of acute or chronic pain by direct injection or catheter method. We report the use of morphine for postoperative pain control in 18 herniated lumbar disc patients. These patients were compaired with 25 others who were not received epidural morphine. Without using of epidural catheter, single small dose morphine(3~5mg) in 1.5ml normal saline was administered under the direct infution into the epidural space just before closure of the lumbar operative wound. Epidural morphine group required only 2 times of parenteral narcotics injections within the first 24 hours after lumbar laminectomy, whereas nonmorphine group required 48 injections. The average narcotics injection frequencies were statistically significant(p<0.01). Hypotension were occured in three cases and pruritus in two cases. But more investication and study were needed for hypotension which was true side effect or not. Respiratory depression was not occured.