Research Article

Comparison of three different intrathecal morphine doses in post-thoracotomy pain management: A retrospective analysis

Volume: 42 Number: 4 December 31, 2025
TR EN

Comparison of three different intrathecal morphine doses in post-thoracotomy pain management: A retrospective analysis

Abstract

Effective postoperative pain control following thoracotomy is essential to optimise patient comfort, support respiratory function, and reduce pulmonary complications. Intrathecal (IT) morphine is frequently incorporated into multimodal analgesic strategies, yet its optimal dose remains uncertain. This retrospective observational study evaluated the analgesic efficacy and side-effect profile of varying IT morphine doses combined with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in 60 patients who underwent thoracotomy at Ondokuz Mayıs University Medical Faculty Hospital between 1 January 2019 and 1 July 2020. Patients received either no IT morphine (control) or IT morphine at doses of 3 μg/kg, 5 μg/kg, or 8 μg/kg. Postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, additional analgesic requirements, and adverse effects were compared across groups. Higher IT morphine doses were associated with lower pain scores and reduced opioid requirements; however, these benefits were accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in side effects such as nausea, vomiting, pruritus, and constipation. Overall, the 5 μg/kg dose appeared to offer the most favourable balance, providing effective analgesia for up to 48 hours while limiting adverse effects. IT morphine at a dose of 5 μg/kg therefore seems to represent the optimal balance of efficacy and safety for postoperative analgesia after thoracotomy, offering sustained pain relief for up to 48 hours with a low side-effect profile.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine Clinical Research Ethics Committee (No. B.30.2.ODM.0.20.08/520).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Anaesthesiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

November 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 11, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 42 Number: 4

APA
Turunç, E., Tamdoğan, İ., & Kocamanoğlu, S. (2025). Comparison of three different intrathecal morphine doses in post-thoracotomy pain management: A retrospective analysis. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi, 42(4), 457-465. https://izlik.org/JA96XP87GA
AMA
1.Turunç E, Tamdoğan İ, Kocamanoğlu S. Comparison of three different intrathecal morphine doses in post-thoracotomy pain management: A retrospective analysis. J. Exp. Clin. Med. 2025;42(4):457-465. https://izlik.org/JA96XP87GA
Chicago
Turunç, Esra, İlke Tamdoğan, and Serhat Kocamanoğlu. 2025. “Comparison of Three Different Intrathecal Morphine Doses in Post-Thoracotomy Pain Management: A Retrospective Analysis”. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 42 (4): 457-65. https://izlik.org/JA96XP87GA.
EndNote
Turunç E, Tamdoğan İ, Kocamanoğlu S (December 1, 2025) Comparison of three different intrathecal morphine doses in post-thoracotomy pain management: A retrospective analysis. Deneysel ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 42 4 457–465.
IEEE
[1]E. Turunç, İ. Tamdoğan, and S. Kocamanoğlu, “Comparison of three different intrathecal morphine doses in post-thoracotomy pain management: A retrospective analysis”, J. Exp. Clin. Med., vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 457–465, Dec. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA96XP87GA
ISNAD
Turunç, Esra - Tamdoğan, İlke - Kocamanoğlu, Serhat. “Comparison of Three Different Intrathecal Morphine Doses in Post-Thoracotomy Pain Management: A Retrospective Analysis”. Deneysel ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 42/4 (December 1, 2025): 457-465. https://izlik.org/JA96XP87GA.
JAMA
1.Turunç E, Tamdoğan İ, Kocamanoğlu S. Comparison of three different intrathecal morphine doses in post-thoracotomy pain management: A retrospective analysis. J. Exp. Clin. Med. 2025;42:457–465.
MLA
Turunç, Esra, et al. “Comparison of Three Different Intrathecal Morphine Doses in Post-Thoracotomy Pain Management: A Retrospective Analysis”. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi, vol. 42, no. 4, Dec. 2025, pp. 457-65, https://izlik.org/JA96XP87GA.
Vancouver
1.Esra Turunç, İlke Tamdoğan, Serhat Kocamanoğlu. Comparison of three different intrathecal morphine doses in post-thoracotomy pain management: A retrospective analysis. J. Exp. Clin. Med. [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 1;42(4):457-65. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA96XP87GA