Spine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Epidural morphine for pain relief after lumbar laminectomy.
A prospective randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of epidural morphine for pain relief after lumbar laminectomy. Thirty-three male patients were studied in two groups. At the end of surgery, Group 1 patients (15) received 2 mg morphine in 5 ml saline through an epidural catheter. ⋯ There was no respiratory or cardiovascular depression detected in patients in either group. Nine patients in Group 1 and five patients in Group 2 had transient postoperative urinary retention that required catheterization. Only one patient in Group 1 had mild pruritus and three patients in Group 2 had nausea.