Intrathecal sufentanil and morphine for post-thoracotomy pain relief

In this double-blind randomized study we compared a group of15 patients undergoing thoracotomy who received a spinal injectionof sufentanil 20 µg combined with morphine (200 µg)after induction of general anaesthesia with a control groupof the same size. Post-operative pain was rated on a visualanalogue scale (VAS) and a verbal rating scale at rest and witha VAS on coughing. In the recovery room, patients received titratedi.v. morphine until the VAS score was <30, and were followedby patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for 72 h. The intrathecalsufentanil and morphine group had a lower intra-operative requirementfor i.v. sufentanil and needed less i.v. morphine for titrationin the recovery room. I.v. PCA morphine consumption and painscores were lower in the active group than in the control groupduring the first 24 h. There were no differences afterthis time. Spirometric data (peak expiratory flow, forced vitalcapacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s) were similarin the two groups. We conclude that the combination of intrathecalsufentanil and morphine produces analgesia of rapid onset andwith a duration of 24 h. Br J Anaesth 2001; 86: 236–40.