title: Morphine delays discharge following ambulatory surgery: a prospective institutional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Morphine is used regularly in day surgery despite its known side-effects. We assessed whether this delayed discharge.
  
  
  METHODS
  100 patients were divided into 2 groups: 50 patients received morphine and 50 patients received non-morphine analgesia. Demographic data and reasons for delayed discharge were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  73% of all major cases received morphine compared to only 19% of minor cases. Operative and recovery times were significantly greater in the morphine group. 58% of patients given morphine had a delayed discharge compared to 14% of patients not given morphine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Morphine use in day surgery is associated with increased operating and recovery times and higher rates of delayed discharge.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Stadium Road, London, SE18 4QH. naren_basu@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Narendra Nath
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Basu
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kald
authors.forename: Dugal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heath
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine