Observational Retrospective Study on Spinal Analgesia in Laparoscopic and Laparotomic Hysterectomy

Summary

Perioperative multimodal analgesia, defined by the use of various analgesic medications targeting different drug receptors, provides adequate pain relief with minimal or no opiate consumption. Therefore, it represents one of the cornerstone of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, as the reduction in opioid use and the associated side effects may eventually reduce length of hospital stay, increase patient satisfaction and minimise the risk of long-term opioid use.

Regional and neuraxial anesthesia techniques are key interventions to provide successful analgesia in the context of a multimodal strategy. Intrathecal morphine, for its effectiveness and potential of reducing the need of intravenous postoperative opioids, seems an attractive option in the case of hysterectomy, one of the most common major surgical procedures performed in women, associated with severe postoperative pain even when performed laparoscopically.

The aim of our observational retrospective study is therefore to compare the analgesic efficacy and the safety of morphine administered by intrathecal route versus intravenous route during the first 48 hours after performance of laparoscopic/laparotomic hysterectomy.

Conditions

• Pain, Postoperative
• Hysterectomy
• Morphine
• Anesthesia, Spinal

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Administration of morphine by intrathecal route

Lumbar puncture was performed before the induction of general anesthesia, in the operating room. Spinal anesthesia was performed in sitting position using a midline approach into the L3-L4 or L4-L5 interspaces with a 25ga pencil-point spinal needle administering 75-100 mcg morphine, with or without local anesthetic (levobupivacaine 0,5% 10-15 mg or bupivacaine 0,5% 10-15 mg or ropivacaine 0,5% 10-15 mg), depending on the anesthesiologist's preference. General anesthesia was then conducted according to clinical practice. All patients were transferred in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at the end of surgery. Throughout the first 48 postoperative hours, all patients were regularly evaluated in the hospital ward by a member of the Acute Pain Service Team.

PROCEDURE

Administration of morphine by intravenous route

General anesthesia was conducted according to clinical practice and a morphine bolus was administered before emergence from anesthesia according to clinical needs. All patients were then transferred in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at the end of surgery and received Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) with morphine 1mg/mL (CADD®-Solis 2110 Infusion System, Smiths Medical ASD, Inc., USA, 1 mL bolus on demand, no background infusion, 7 minute lockout, max 8 mg/h). Throughout the first 48 postoperative hours, all patients were regularly evaluated in the hospital ward by a member of the Acute Pain Service Team.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Stefano Catarci · Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-03-13

Primary Completion

2023-05-31

Completion

2023-06-01

Countries

• Italy

Study Locations