[Comparative study of the effects of morphine and tramadol in the treatment of postoperative pain].
BACKGROUND
To compare morphine and tramadol in the treatment of postoperative pain (POP), using a system of Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA).


METHODS



METHODS
Randomised comparative study on 88 patients, undergoing general major surgical operations (gastrectomy, colectomy and hemicolectomy).


METHODS
PCA i.v.: group M treated with morphine (at a dilution of 1 mg/ml) and group T with tramadol (at a dilution of 10 mg/ml). Loading dose: 0.05 mg/kg for the group treated with morphine and 0.5 mg/kg for the group treated with tramadol. Baseline infusion: 1.5 ml/h. Bolus on demand: 0.2 ml every 30 minutes. At T0, after 1 hour, 3 and 18 hours assessment of pain intensity, level of sedation, respiratory and cardiocirculatory parameters. After 18 hours assessment of the amount of drug administered, the number of boluses requested and given and any side effects.


METHODS
ANOVA test, Student "t", chi 2.


RESULTS
A statistically significant reduction in POP was found after 1 hour, 3 and 18 hours with no significant differences between the two groups. No statistically significant differences in cardiocirculatory or respiratory parameters or level of sedation were found. Few side effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Tramadol determines pain relief similar to morphine, with the advantage that it does not lead to abuse, tolerance or addiction.
Casali
R
R
Istituto di Anestesia e Rianimazione, Università degli Studi, Firenze.
Lepri
A
A
Cantini
Q
Q
Landi
S
S
Novelli
G P
GP
D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014147:Tramadol / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014147:Tramadol; D009020:Morphine