INTRATHECAL MORPHINE – AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS BETTERPAIN-CONTROL IN MODERN SPINE SURGERY

Abstract

Effective postoperative pain management is one of the pillars of modern spine surgery. The inadequate pain relief after medium- and large-volume spine surgeries leads to various postoperative complications and negatively affects important aspects like early verticalization and hospital durations. Intrathecal morphine (ITM) is proving itself more and more to be a viable alternative to already well-established postoperative pain management protocols. The current retrospective analysis includes two equal groups of patients with medium- and large-volume spine interventions – with and without ITM administered intraoperatively. It observed differences in the VAS scores (Visual Analog Scale) in the pre- and postoperative period, time to mobilization, length of stay (LOS) and the need for additional postoperative analgesia. The results point to a statistically significant lower VAS scores in the ITM group in the first 72 hours post surgery, as well a shorter time to mobilization and shorter LOS. Side effects were monitored and registered, although they were transitory in nature and easy to handle. In conclusion, using ITM in spine surgery assures better pain management in the early postoperative period and helps accelerate the functional recovery of patients.