Comparison on Analgesic Effect of Morphine and Meperidine with Patient-Controlled Analgesia for the Pain Relief after Cesarean Section

Lee, Byung Ho; Lee, Chul Woo; Kim, Chang Jae; Chung, Mee Young; Park, Dong Sook; Chea, Jun Seuk

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare the postoperative analgesic effect of morphine and meperidine, employing intravenous patient controlled analgesia after cesarean section. Among fifty nine parturients undergoing cesarean section with general anesthesia, 32 were administered morphine designated as morphine group, and 27 parturient administered meperidine as meperidine group, during 48 hours after commencement of PCA. Doses administered, based on potency for this setting, were equivalent to 1 mg morphine or 10 mg meperidine. Loading dose was administered when parturient first complained of pain after cesarean section. This was followed with bolus dose, 1 mg for morphine group and 10 mg for meperidine group, with a lockout interval of 8 minutes between doses wherever parturient requested additional analgesia. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores during rest were significantly lower at only 1 and 2 hour for the meperidine group, than morphine group. Loading dose and cumulative dose at 1, 2 and 3 hours were significantly lower for meperidine group than the morphine group. There were no significant difference in total dose and hourly dose for 48 hours and cumulative dose at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours between both groups. More than 90% of the parturients from both groups were satisfied with the analgesic effects of pain relief. Morphine group experienced side effects such as. pruritus, sedation and dizziness. Meperidine group had sedation, dizziness, nausea and local irritation. Neither group required any specific treatment for any of the above side effects. We conclude that meperidine had greater analgesic effect at early stage of post-operative period.