Effect of intrathecal injection of morphine on patients with severe rectum cancer pain

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of intrathecal injection of morphine on patients with severe rectum cancer pain. Methods According to random number table method, 28 patients with severe rectum cancer pain, admitted to our hospital from April 2014 to April 2015, were divided into two groups: intrathecal injection of morphine group (group I) and epidural injection of morphine group (group E, n=14). Patients in group I were treated with intrathecal injection of morphine, and group E with epidural injection of morphine; initial dose of group I was 1/300 of daily average dosage, and group E 1/30 of daily average dosage; the additional dose of two groups was 1/10 of initial dose, with a locked time of 30 min. Resting and moving visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, life scores of quality of life questionnaire (QLQ)-C30, and daily dose of morphine were observed on the day before analgesia (T0), first week after analgesia (T1), second week after analgesia (T2), and first month after analgesia (T3). Nausea and vomiting, skin itching, retention of urine, and headache were recorded at the four points. Results As compared with those at T0, the resting and moving VAS scores and daily dose of morphine were significantly lower, life scores of QLQ-C30 at the T1, T2 and T3 were significantly higher in both two groups (P<0.05). As compared with those in group I, the resting and moving VAS scores and daily dose of morphine in group E were significantly higher, life scores of QLQ-C30 in group E were significantly lower at the T1, T2 and T3 (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in group I (21.4%) was significantly lower than that in group E (71.4%). Conclusion The effect of analgesia with intrathecal injection of morphine is better than that of analgesia of epidural injection of morphine in the treatment of severe rectum cancer pain. Key words: Severe rectum cancer pain; Intrathecal injection; Morphine; Visual analogue scale; Life scores of quality of life questionnaire-C30