title: Comparison of intra-articular morphine and bupivacaine following knee arthroscopy.
abstract: A prospective study was conducted to investigate and compare the analgesic effect of morphine and bupivacaine injected intra-articularly following elective knee arthroscopy performed under general anesthesia without the use of a tourniquet. Cost-effectiveness of these agents was also evaluated. Patients in Group 1 (n = 41) received 30 cc of 0.25% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine; while Group 2 (n = 40) received 2 mg morphine (1 mg/cc) in 28 cc normal saline (total volume 30 cc). Postoperative pain scores and the amount of supplemental analgesic agents used in a 24-hour period were recorded. Results showed that patients in Group 2 reported significantly less pain overall (P < .006) and significantly lower analgesic requirements (P < .0004) at a lower average patient cost than Group 1. We conclude that intra-articular morphine reduces postoperative pain and analgesic requirements more effectively and at a lower average patient cost than bupivacaine.
authors.affiliation: Doctors Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: VanNess
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gittins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000698:Analgesia; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002045:Bupivacaine; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004837:Epinephrine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009020:Morphine; D002045:Bupivacaine; D004837:Epinephrine