Intrathecal Morphine For Postoperative Analgesia Research Articles

Current Review of the Use of Intrathecal Morphine for Postoperative Analgesia in Total Joint Arthroplasty

Current Review of the Use of Intrathecal Morphine for Postoperative Analgesia in Total Joint Arthroplasty

Comparison of ultrasound-guided genicular block vs. intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing knee arthroplasty: A randomised prospective study

Aim: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a major orthopedic surgical procedure often necessitating effective postoperative analgesia. This study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided genicular block (GB) and intrathecal morphine (ITM) in patients undergoing THA under spinal anesthesia.Method: A prospective, randomized, single-blind study was conducted at Ordu University Training and Research Hospital from October 1, 2022, to April 1, 2023. Eligible patients aged 18 to 90 undergoing knee surgery with spinal anesthesia were randomized into two groups: Group ITM received intrathecal morphine, while Group GB underwent ultrasound-guided triple genicular block. Pain scores, rescue opioid consumption, time to initial mobilization, and Modified Bromage Scale (MBS) scores were assessed at five time points (0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours) within the first 24 hours post-surgery.Results: At the 24-hour mark, cumulative tramadol consumption was significantly lower in Group ITM compared to Group GB (35.45±54.84 vs. 63.37±37.7 mg, respectively, p = 0.028). Group ITM also exhibited statistically lower Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores at 12 hours (p = 0.005) but had similar scores at other time points. Additionally, time to first ambulation and MBS scores were consistent across all intervals (p < 0.05).Conclusions: In patients undergoing knee arthroplasty with spinal anesthesia, those receiving ultrasound-guided genicular blocks demonstrated higher opioid consumption over a 24-hour period compared to those receiving intrathecal morphine. However, regarding postoperative pain scores, both groups exhibited similar outcomes. These findings provide valuable insights into the selection of postoperative analgesic modalities for TKA patients.

The Efficacy of Erector Spinae Plane Block Compared With Intrathecal Morphine in Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Double-blind Prospective Comparative Study

BACKGROUND: Severe postoperative pain is experienced by most patients who undergo spine surgery. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a successful method for postoperative analgesia and has only minor complications. Intrathecal morphine (ITM) demonstrates high efficacy for analgesia up to 24 hours postsurgery. ESPBs and ITM for postoperative analgesia in lumbar spine surgeries have never been compared in prior studies. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of ESPB and ITM in postoperative analgesia after lumbar spine surgeries. STUDY DESIGN: A double-blind prospective comparative study. SETTING: This study was performed at Al Fayoum University Hospital after being confirmed by the local institutional ethical committee (#80) with approval number M520 and retrospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov number (NCT05123092). METHODS: A prospective randomized double-blinded interventional trial was conducted with 82 patients, 41 in each group. In the ESPB group, a 0.25% bupivacaine injection was used to conduct a bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB. In the ITM group, an injection of 0.3 mg morphine intrathecally was done. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was recorded as the primary outcome. The time to the first analgesic request, intra- and postoperative opioid consumption, hemodynamics, sedation score, and complications were also recorded as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Postoperative VAS scores were significantly lower in the intrathecal group throughout the postoperative period at all recorded study time points until 48 hours (P < 0.001). Time to the first rescue analgesia and doses of postoperative analgesic required were significant, with a P value of 0.000. Significant differences were found in postoperative oxygen saturation up to 24 hours (P < 0.001) and the sedation score up to 6 hours (P < 0.01). A higher incidence of complications was recorded in the ITM group (P = 0.000). LIMITATIONS: We did not measure patient preoperative VAS scores to ensure that the 2 groups were matched in pain severity. Also, we did not compare patient satisfaction. Another limitation was the inability to determine the degree of pain relief of ESPB since there was no control group in our study. CONCLUSION: We concluded that ITM 0.3 mg provides more potent analgesia up to 48 hours postoperatively than an ESPB, based upon VAS score, analgesic durations, and postoperative analgesic requirements. KEY WORDS: Intrathecal morphine, erector spinae, spine, Visual Analog Scale

Intrathecal Morphine Injection for Postoperative Analgesia Following Gender-Affirming Pelvic Surgery: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

Background Gender-affirming pelvic surgery (GAPS) can be associated with significant postoperative pelvic pain. Given the lack of available peripheral nerve blocks to the perineum, intrathecal morphine (ITM) injection could offer a potent analgesic modality for this patient population. No prior studies to date have been performed examining the analgesic effects of intrathecal morphine for these patients. Methods This retrospective case-control study aims to understand the postoperative analgesic effects of intrathecal morphine for these patients with a historical comparison group of patients who did not receive intrathecal morphine. Results Fourteen patients presented for gender-affirming pelvic surgery over an eight-month period at a single institution and were offered intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia. Their analgesic results were compared to a similar historical group of 13 patients who were not offered or declined intrathecal morphine. Conclusions Intrathecal morphine injection is a potent analgesic modality for patients presenting for gender-affirming pelvic surgery.

Intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia in thoracic surgery: Single center experience

Amaç: Bu çalışmada kliniğimizde toraks cerrahisi uygulanan hastalarda postoperatif analjezi amaçlı intratekal morfin kullanımı ile ilgili deneyimlerimizi sunmayı amaçladık. 
 Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışmada Ocak 2020-Haziran 2020 tarihleri arasında toraks cerrahisi geçiren ve postoperatif analjezi amaçlı intratekal morfin uygulanan toplam 18 erişkin hastanın dosyası ve anestezi formları retrospektif olarak incelendi. Grup 1;10 mcg/kg intratekal morfin, Grup 2; 7 mcg/kg intratekal morfin uygulanan grup olarak ikiye ayrıldı. Hastaların demografik verileri, uygulanan morfin dozları, anestezi ve cerrahi süreleri, intraoperatif anestezik ajan tüketimleri, postoperatif hemodinamik verileri, ağrı düzeyleri, ek analjezik ihtiyaçları ve yan etkiler incelendi.
 Bulgular: Hastaların 12’sine (% 66,7) ideal vücut ağırlığına göre 10 mcg/kg, 6’sına (%33,3) 7 mcg/kg intratekal morfin uygulandığı tespit edildi. İntraoperatif anestezik ajan tüketimi Grup 1’de Grup 2’ye kıyasla daha düşük bulundu, ancak aradaki fark istatistiksel olarak anlamlı değildi. Postoperatif 12, 24 ve 48. saatlerde dinlenme sırasında bakılan ağrı düzeyleri Grup 1’de istatistiksel olarak daha düşük. Postoperatif 12, 18, 24 ve 48. saatlerde efor sırasında bakılan ağrı düzeyleri de Grup 1’de istatistiksel olarak daha düşük bulundu.
 Sonuç: Toraks cerrahisi hastalarında uygulanan intratekal morfin güvenli bir postoperatif analjezi seçeneğidir. Bu amaçla 10 mcg/kg dozunda uygulanan intratekal morfinin 7 mcg/kg’e göre daha etkin analjezi sağladığı kanaatindeyiz.

Epidural or intrathecal morphine for post-operative analgesia following laparoscopic endometriosis surgery

Background: Endometriosis is the development of endometrial glands or stroma outside the uterine cavity, in the pelvis, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Laproscopy is the most common method used in management of endometriosis and it also eliminates endometriosis-related scar tissue, implants, and cysts. Epidural or intrathecal morphine is an effective way to alleviate post-operative pain after laparoscopic endometriosis surgery.Methods: Literature search was conducted in three electronic databases-Google Scholar, Cochrane (Controlled Trials Register), and PubMed (MEDLINE/Index Medicus). Postoperative pain, epidural and intrathecal morphine, laparoscopy surgery, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), opioids, and morphine were the search criteria used.Results: After removing duplicate studies, the search yielded 106 results. Out of which50 full-text publications that matched the inclusion criterion were retrieved.Conclusion: Single intrathecal morphine injection is safe and effective in managing post-operative pain, however continuous epidural analgesia is risky and difficult to manage after laparoscopic endometriosis surgery.

Effects of 5 µg/kg intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing major surgery.

The effects and analgesic adequacy of intrathecal morphine (ITM) administration have been studied less frequently than other regional analgesia techniques in pediatric surgical procedures. To evaluate the efficacy and adverse event rate of 5 µg/kg ITM administration for postoperative analgesia according to age group. We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of patients who underwent major pediatric surgery and were administered ITM for postoperative analgesia. Patients were divided into three age groups: ≤ 5years (group I), 5.1-13years (group II) and > 13years (group III). All patients received ITM 5 µg/kg (max 300 μg) through the L4-5 or L5-S1 interspace. Postoperative pain (modified pediatric objective pain score > 4), need for rescue analgesics, sleep interruption due to pain, sedation (Ramsay sedation scale score > 3), opioid-related postoperative adverse events (at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after intervention), hemodynamic data and nurse satisfaction with the analgesic method were compared between groups. The analysis included 100children (47girls, 9 ± 5.4years). Groups were similar regarding postoperative rescue analgesia consumption and sleep interruption (p = 0.238, p = 0.958), 96% of the children did not require rescue analgesia, and sleep interruption was not observed in 97%. Postoperative adverse events were pruritus in 14 and nausea/vomiting in 9 patients (p = 0.052). Overall, nurses were satisfied or very satisfied in 99% of the cases. Administration of 5 µg/kg ITM can be used for postoperative analgesia in pediatric surgery in all age groups, with no severe adverse events and high nurse satisfaction with analgesic management.

Bilateral continuous erector spinae plane block using a programmed intermittent bolus regimen versus intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia in living donor laparoscopic hepatectomy: A randomized controlled trial

Study objectiveTo determine if continuous bilateral erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks would improve the postoperative analgesia in the first 48 h after laparoscopic donor hepatectomy, compared to intrathecal morphine (ITM). DesignProspective, randomized controlled trial. SettingA single tertiary care center from October 2019 and September 2020. PatientsA total of 60 donors scheduled to undergo elective laparoscopic right hepatectomy. InterventionsSixty donors were randomized to receive either bilateral continuous T8 ESP blocks with a programmed intermittent bolus regimen of 10 mL 0.2% ropivacaine every 3 h for 48 h (n = 30) or 400 μg ITM (n = 30), in addition to IV fentanyl PCA and multimodal analgesia. MeasurementsThe primary outcome was cumulative opioid consumption over the first 48 h, expressed as IV morphine equivalents. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, Quality of Recovery-15 scores, ambulation within 24 h, time to first flatus, and opioid-related adverse drug events over 72 h. Main resultsFifty-nine donors were analyzed. Cumulative 48-h opioid consumption was similar between the ITM and ESP groups (29.8 ± 18.2 vs. 35.1 ± 21.9 mg, mean difference (ESP-ITM) (95% CI), 5.3 (−11.5 to 22) mg; p > 0.99). Resting pain scores at 48 and 72 h postoperatively were significantly lower in the ESP group (0 [0–2] vs. 3 [1.5–3], and 0 [0–2] vs. 3 [1–3] respectively, both p<0.001) (Goldaracena and Barbas, 2019; Ko et al., 2009; Choi et al., 2007 [1–3]) respectively, both p < 0.001). The ESP group had significantly lower incidences of postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pruritus at all timepoints. There were no differences in recovery outcomes. ConclusionsContinuous ESP blocks did not reduce cumulative 48-h opioid consumption compared to 400 μg ITM after laparoscopic donor hepatectomy, but it was associated with a significantly reduced risk of postoperative nausea, vomiting and pruritus. Clinical trial number and registry URLClinical Trial Registry of Korea; https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/index.jsp and identifier: KCT0004313; date of registration: October 15, 2019; principal investigator's name: Justin Sangwook Ko.

The Role of Intrathecal Morphine for Postoperative Analgesia in Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty under Spinal Anesthesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To assess the efficacy and safety of intrathecal morphine (ITM) for postoperative analgesia in primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA) under spinal anesthesia and to explore the dose-response relationship for analgesic efficacy or risk of side effects. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov for any studies meeting the inclusion criteria. All the data were summarized using the random effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the surgical procedure and dose of ITM. Meta-regression was used to explore the dose-response relationship. Eighteen randomized controlled trials were included. Compared with the placebo or blank control, ITM reduced the postoperative 24-h morphine consumption by 10.07 mg and prolonged the duration of analgesia. However, ITM significantly increased the risk of pruritus by 2.79 fold, with a tendency to increase the risk of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting (P = 0.08). No difference was observed regarding the length of stay (LOS) and incidence of respiratory depression or urinary retention. Furthermore, meta-regression showed a linear dose-response relationship for the postoperative 24-h morphine consumption but no linear dose-response relationship for the risk of side effects. Adding morphine to intrathecal anesthetics provides a prolonged and robust analgesic effect without significantly increasing the risk of side effects other than pruritus. Although we found a linear dose-response relationship for the postoperative 24-h morphine consumption, the optimal dose of ITM remains to be further explored in high-quality RCTs with a large sample size.

In Response.

In Response.

Comparison of transversus abdominis plane block and intrathecal morphine for laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: Randomised controlled trial.

Background and Aims:Postoperative pain following laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) is significant and no suitable analgesic technique is described. Opioid analgesia in standard doses is often suboptimal and associated with numerous adverse effects. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been evaluated in various laparoscopic procedures. Intrathecal morphine (ITM) has been seen to provide long-lasting analgesia of superior quality in laparoscopic colorectal procedures.Methods:The present study was undertaken to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of single-dose ITM 5 μg/kg for LDN. After ethics approval, 60 adult patients scheduled for LDN were randomised to receive intravenous fentanyl, ultrasound-guided TAP block or ITM for postoperative analgesia. Postoperative 24-h patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) fentanyl consumption, visual analogue scale (VAS) score and intraoperative fentanyl and muscle relaxant requirements were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate statistical tests by using Stata 11.1 software.Results:Haemodynamic stability at pneumoperitoneum and in the post anaesthesia care unit was significantly better in patients receiving ITM. Intraoperative rescue fentanyl requirement (P = 0.01) and postoperative fentanyl requirement until 24 h (P = 0.000) were significantly lower in the morphine group. Postoperative VAS at rest and on movement was significantly lower in the morphine group at all points of assessment (P = 0.000).Conclusion:ITM 5 μg/kg provides better intraoperative and postoperative analgesia and reduces postoperative PCA fentanyl requirement in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy compared to TAP block or intravenous fentanyl.

Relative Contributions of Intraoperative Low Dose Ketamine, Lidocaine and Ketamine-Lidocaine Combination in Addition to Intrathecal Morphine for Postoperative Analgesia in Open Liver Resection: A Prospective, Randomized, Four-Arm, Triple Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background and Aims: Open liver resection requiring an upper abdominal incision is associated with significant opioid use due to postoperative pain. We tested the hypothesis that the intraoperative combination of low dose lidocaine and ketamine would reduce opioid consumption when given in conjunction with intrathecal morphine for liver resection surgery. Methods: In this triple blind, parallel group four-arm placebo-controlled trial, we randomized 124 adult ASA 2 - 4 liver resection patients to receive intraoperative lidocaine 0.33 mg/kg/h (group L), ketamine 70 μg/kg/h (group K), combination of lidocaine 0.33 mg/kg/h and ketamine 70 μg/kg/h (group KL) and saline (group P). All patients received 300 μg intrathecal morphine prior to induction of anesthesia. All infusions were started immediately after intubation and continued until the end of surgery. Primary outcome measurements included opioid consumption at 24-hours. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, opioid consumption at 48 and 72-hours and side effects including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, hallucinations, headaches and signs of local anaesthetic toxicity. Patients were followed up for 12 weeks. Results: There was no difference in the primary outcome of opioid consumption within all 4 groups at rest or movement at 24-hours. Secondary outcome of 48-hour rest pain score was significantly higher in the L group (p = 0.03) but without any difference in opioid use. There was no difference in any other outcomes between the groups at any time points. Conclusions: Low dose lidocaine and its combination with ketamine did not add any analgesic/morphine sparing benefit in the presence of single dose intrathecal morphine in patients with major liver resection.

Ultrasound-guided bilateral quadratus lumborum block vs. intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia after cesarean section: a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundAdequate pain control after cesarean section (CS) is crucial for mothers caring for newborns, and early ambulation to avoid thromboembolism and chronic abdominal and pelvic pain. This randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of quadratus lumborum block (QLB) and intrathecal morphine (ITM) for analgesia after CS.MethodsNinety women at ≥ 37 weeks pregnancy scheduled for elective CS were enrolled. All patients received spinal anesthesia and post-operative QLB. They were randomly allocated to Control (anesthesia: 0.1 ml saline, QLB: 24 ml saline), ITM (anesthesia: 0.1 mg morphine, QLB: 24 ml saline), or QLB groups (anesthesia: 0.1 ml saline, QLB: 24 ml 0.375% ropivacaine). Integrated analgesia score (IAS) and numerical rating scale (NRS) scores at rest and during movement, morphine requirements in the first 48 h, time to first morphine dose and morphine-related side effects were recorded.ResultsIASs and NRS scores at rest and during movement were significantly lower in QLB and ITM group than in Control group. Moreover, IASs and NRS scores at rest and during movement were lower in QLB group than in ITM group. Time to first morphine dose was significantly longer in QLB group than in ITM and Control group. Furthermore, morphine requirements in the first 48 h were significantly lower in QLB group than ITM and Control group. Incidence of morphine-related side effects was significantly higher in ITM group than in QLB and Control group.ConclusionsQLB and ITM are effective analgesic regimens after CS. However, QLB provides better long-lasting analgesia and reduced total postoperative morphine consumption.

Prophylactic administration of ondansetron in prevention of intrathecal morphine-induced pruritus and post-operative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing caesarean section.

BackgroundIntrathecal morphine is commonly used for post caesarean analgesia. However, their use is frequently associated with the incidence of troublesome side effects such as nausea, vomiting and pruritus. Various mechanisms have been postulated for the opioid-induced pruritus, with a variety of medications with different mechanisms of actions formulated for the prevention and treatment. But, the results are inconsistent and hence the prevention and treatment of opioid-induced pruritus still remains a challenge. Ondansetron which is antiemetic, non-sedative and has no antianalgesic effect is an antagonist to 5-HT3 receptor, the receptor with which opioids interacts and imparts its effects. Ondansetron, thus, would be an attractive treatment strategy for both opioid-induced pruritus and post-operative nausea and vomiting.MethodsAfter the approval from institutional review committee and written consent received from the patient, 50 healthy parturients of ASA I and II physical status undergoing caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were enrolled for the study. They were randomly categorized into placebo group (2 ml normal saline) and treatment group (2 ml of 4 mg ondansetron), each group containing 25 patients. Pruritus and post-operative nausea and vomiting scores were recorded up to 24 hours after the administration of intrathecal morphine. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test.ResultsThe incidence, severity and necessity of treatment for pruritus in the treatment group was significantly reduced compared to the placebo group (16% vs 88%). Similarly, the risk of post-operative nausea and vomiting in the treatment group was less compared to the placebo group (8% vs 56%).ConclusionProphylactic administration of ondansetron to parturients receiving intrathecal morphine for post-operative analgesia provides a significant reduction of intrathecal morphine-induced pruritus and nausea and vomiting.Trial registrationCTRI/2015/01/005362 registered on 07/01/2015 in Clinical Trials Registry – India (ctri.nic.in).

Comparison of 75 and 150 µg doses of intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia after transurethral resection of the prostate under spinal anesthesia

The administration of single dose intrathecal (IT) morphine with local anesthetics during spinal anesthesia produces an effective postoperative analgesia. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of two different doses of IT morphine with bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia after transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). Prospective, randomized study. Urology Department. Sixty patients who were scheduled to undergo TURP with spinal anesthesia. Patients were allocated to receive IT morphine (75 μg) with bupivacaine heavy (group I) and IT morphine (150 μg) with bupivacaine heavy (group II). Postoperative pain was evaluated by Visual Analogous Scale during 24 hours. The need for rescue analgesia, adverse effects and patient satisfaction were recorded. Groups were comparable with respect to demographic data. VAS scores were similarly low in both groups. However, the request for analgesia was significantly higher in group I (27 percent) than group II (7 percent; p = 0.04). The incidence of postoperative nausea was similarly low in both groups. No patients reported pruritis in group I where as six patients (20 percent) reported mild pruritis not necessitating treatment in group II (p = 0.036) Patients satisfaction was similarly high in both the groups. IT morphine 150 μg reduced the need for rescue analgesia compared to IT morphine 75 μg in patients undergoing TURP under spinal anesthesia. As the incidence of pruritis was low with no treatment, IT morphine 150 μg may be a suitable dose for postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing TURP under spinal anesthesia.

Analgesia after Cesarean delivery: a retrospective comparison of intrathecal hydromorphone and morphine

Study ObjectiveTo compare analgesia and opioid-related side effects of intrathecal morphine and intrathecal hydromorphone after elective Cesarean delivery. DesignRetrospective, comparative study. SettingLabor and delivery unit of an academic hospital. Patients114 parturients age ≥ 18 years, presenting for elective Cesarean delivery. InterventionsPatients who received 0.04 mg intrathecal hydromorphone were compared to a random sample of patients who received 0.1 mg intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia. MeasurementsThe primary outcome was the presence of any opioid-related complication (pruritus, nausea or vomiting, respiratory depression) requiring treatment within 24 hours of intrathecal opioid administration. Secondary outcomes included total opioid consumption (in oral morphine equivalents) within 24 hours of intrathecal opioid administration and verbal pain score (0 = none, 10 = worst) at 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 hours after intrathecal opioid administration. Main Results38 patients who received intrathecal hydromorphone 0.04 mg were compared with 76 patients given 0.1 mg of intrathecal morphine for elective Cesarean delivery. No significant differences in demographics were noted between groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the intrathecal hydromorphone and intrathecal morphine groups in overall frequency of opioid-related complications (50% vs 34.2%; P = 0.11), 24-hour opioid consumption (33 mg oral morphine equivalent [OME] vs 8 mg OME; P = 0.27), or pain scores at any time point up to 24 hours. ConclusionsOverall, analgesia and incidence of opioid-related side effects after 0.04 mg of intrathecal hydromorphone did not differ statistically from 0.1 mg of intrathecal morphine.

Réhabilitation périopératoire des césariennes programmées non compliquées en France : enquête de pratique nationale

IntroductionEnhanced recovery is a concept currently recognised and adopted in a number of surgical specialties. In obstetrics however, this concept remains surprisingly underdeveloped. The purpose of this survey was to study the practice of obstetric anaesthetists in France as regards the recovery of women undergoing uncomplicated, elective caesarean section. Material and methodAn online 39-point questionnaire was displayed for 2months on the Caro (Club d’anesthesie réanimation en obstétrique) website. The questionnaire related to uncomplicated, elective Caesarean sections and aimed to define the following: preoperative information given regarding the recovery period, intraoperative care – both anaesthetic and surgical, postoperative analgesia, measures taken to prevent post-partum haemorrhage, reintroduction of fluids and diet, return to mobility, local practices designed to promote bonding between mother and baby. ResultsThe overall response rate for our survey was 45%. Forty-nine percent of practitioners report that patients are provided with specific information on the recovery period preoperatively. Sixty percent of those surveyed state the absence of any specific recovery protocol for this patient population in their hospital. Eighty-one percent of respondents state that, in the majority of cases, patients are admitted on the eve of surgery and remain hospitalised for more than 72hours (89%). Ninety-nine percent of practitioners employ a regional technique to deliver anaesthesia for elective section and 44% rely on intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia. The concept of ‘Patient Controlled Oral Analgesia’ (PCOA), although widely recognised, is used by only 17% of practitioners. Forty-one percent of practitioners report the reintroduction of fluids as soon as patients return to the ward following surgery and at the same time as the urinary catheter is removed (51%). Diet is commenced 4 to 6hours following surgery amongst 40% of those surveyed. Fifty-one percent of practitioners report removal of the intravenous catheter 24hours postoperatively. Finally, 49% of practitioners feel patients are independently functioning and mobile within 24hours of surgery. ConclusionThis survey of national practice shows that the concept of ‘enhanced recovery’ following elective caesarean section can be again developed. Standardisation of practice with the design of local protocols relating to postoperative analgesia, timing of removal of the intravenous access and urinary catheter, time to first mobilisation and to commencement of diet would appear to be warranted. Surely this surgery, more than any other, merits an expeditious and effective return to normal and independent function, allowing mother to better look after baby.

A comparison of the efficacy of local anaesthetic wound infiltration versus intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia following total knee arthroplasty

A comparison of the efficacy of local anaesthetic wound infiltration versus intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia following total knee arthroplasty

Low dose intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia after vaginal hysterectomy: Comparative clinical examination of two different small doses

Low dose intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia after vaginal hysterectomy: Comparative clinical examination of two different small doses

Low-dose intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia after adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery

Low-dose intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia after adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery