Intrathecal morphine is as effective as continuous wound infiltration for pain management after open pancreatoduodenectomy.
- In a study of 92 patients, intrathecal morphine had a mean coughing pain score of 5.7 vs. 6.1 for continuous wound infiltration.
- It provided better early pain relief, significantly reducing pain scores at 2 hours post-op and sustaining lower scores through 24 hours.
Surgeons should consider intrathecal morphine for its effective pain control, but monitor for potential early side effects like respiratory depression and pruritus.
Journal Article by Yoon S, Kim T (…) Jang JY et 7 al. in Br J Surg
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