The role of low-dose intrathecal morphine in managing acute postoperative pain following orthopedic and trauma surgery at Batna University Hospital.

Introduction and objective. The combination of morphine and Marcaine in spinal anesthesia represents a simple, safe, and cost-effective anesthetic technique, ideal for subumbilical surgical interventions. It ensures effective and long-lasting postoperative analgesia. The aim of our study was to evaluate the benefits of low-dose intrathecal morphine (100 µg) in orthopedic and trauma surgeries. Methods. This is a monocentric evaluative study, including 37 patients who underwent orthopedic trauma surgery at CHU de Batna, without any contraindications to spinal anesthesia or morphine administration. Results. The study included a total of 37 patients, of whom 54% were over 60 years old, with a predominance of hip surgeries (57%). The duration of analgesia induced by intrathecal morphine was 24 hours for 37.8% of the patients and 12 hours for 21.6%. The observed side effects were primarily postoperative nausea and vomiting (NVPO) at 18.9% and pruritus at 16.2%. No respiratory distress or bowel disturbances were reported. Conclusion. Low-dose spinal analgesia with morphine proved to be effective in our context, with a limited number of side effects.