title: Intrathecal morphine reduces postoperative tramadol consumption in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy: a randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intrathecal (IT) morphine provides prolonged analgesia after major surgery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to assess the impact of intrathecal morphine 200 µg on patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) tramadol consumptions and postoperative pain in patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) under general anesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective trial, 56 men who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) were randomized into 2 groups. Group M received intrathecal morphine (200 µg) before the induction of general anesthesia. Group C did not receive intrathecal morphine. Postoperative analgesia was provided with tramadol PCA. Pain scores, tramadol consumption, adverse effects, rescue analgesia were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total tramadol consumption at 24 hours and pain scores during 12 hours postoperatively were significantly lower in Group M compared with Group C (p < 0.05). Rescue analgesia and postoperative nausea were lower in Group M than in Group C (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intrathecal morphine 200 µg provided a significant reduction in tramadol consumption, postoperative pain scores, rescue analgesia, and postoperative nausea after RRP without serious adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. mnurideniz@hotmail.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nuri Deniz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Erhan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ugur
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014147:Tramadol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014147:Tramadol; D009020:Morphine