Analgesic Efficacy and Side Effects of Intrathecal Morphine Versus Intrathecal Nalbuphine in Patients Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Inter-Body Fusion Surgery

Study Objective: To compare the efficacy of lumbar intrathecal (IT) nalbuphine versus intrathecal (IT) morphine in a dose of 0.3 mg/kg in providing analgesia following general anesthesia among patients undergoing posterior lumber inter body fusion (PLIF). Design: Prospective, randomized, double blinded, study. Setting: Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt. Patients: 80 patients with ASA class 1 or 2, patients with lumber stenosis 5 levels. Interventions: Before induction of general anesthesia, intrathecal morphine or nalbuphine was administered. Post-operative analgesia was assessed by visual analog score (VAS) and other scales to assist the adverse effects of both drugs. Measurements and Main Results: There was significant difference as regard analgesic efficacy which was more effective among morphine group than nalbuphine. There were significantly more frequently side effects (pruritus, nausea vomiting and urinary retention. Conclusion: IT morphine provides effective analgesia but more side effects than IT nalbuphine.a