Intrathecal analgesia for postoperative pain relief after radical prostatectomy

SummaryBackgroundThe purpose of the present study was to evaluate intrathecal analgesia (ITA) as a method for postoperative pain relief.MethodsFifty patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) under general anaesthesia combined with an intrathecal bolus dose of morphine 0.1–0.2 mg and bupivacaine 10 mg were studied. Postoperatively, all patients received a multimodal pain management. Patients were monitored postoperatively on an hourly basis for 12 h (pain score, sedation, respiratory rate and lower limb motor function). The patients were monitored in the postoperative care unit until stable conditions were achieved. The patients’ pain experience, during 3 postoperative days, was additionally determined using the 100 mm VAS-instrument, asking about “worst pain” during the last 24 h.ResultsPostoperative pain was at worst on day 1, after which it subsequently decreased. Mild pain (VAS < 30) was reported by 82%, 46%, 72% and 82% of the patients at 4, 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Only seven patients suffered from severe pain and the need for supplemental opioids was in general low. No serious complications related to the ITA method were found.ConclusionITA is a technique that can provide effective and safe pain control to patients operated with RP.