Determining the Optimal Dose of Intrathecal Morphine for Post-Cesarean Analgesia

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF IOANNINA · Jun 7, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking for the best dose of a pain medicine called morphine, given directly into the spinal fluid, to help women feel comfortable after a planned cesarean section (C-section). The goal is to find the amount of morphine that provides good pain relief—keeping pain low for at least 12 hours after surgery—while minimizing side effects. Morphine works slowly but lasts a long time when given this way, and this study adjusts the dose for each new participant based on how well the previous person’s pain was controlled.

Women who are healthy, carrying a single baby, and scheduled for an elective C-section may be eligible to join. Participants will receive spinal anesthesia that includes morphine, along with other medicines to help numb the lower body and manage pain. Throughout the study, two doctors will carefully monitor each woman’s pain levels without knowing the exact dose she received, to ensure unbiased results. After surgery, all women will get additional usual pain medicines to help them feel comfortable. This study follows strict safety guidelines, and all participants will give informed consent before joining.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • term parturient
• • single pregnancy
• • elective cesarean delivery
• • adult parturient
• • ASA II
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • participants under the age of 18
• • extreme somatometric characteristics
• • lack of patient consent
• • absolute contraindications for spinal anesthesia
• • urgent cesarean section
• • presence of known fetal anomalies
• • onset of labor prior to administration of the block
• • history of chronic pain
• • use of opioids (systemic or otherwise) for any reason (e.g., chronic malignant pain)
• • communication difficulties (e.g., language barriers, cognitive impairments)
• • allergy or hypersensitivity to morphine
• • severe arrhythmia or other serious cardiovascular conditions
• • severe hepatic or renal insufficiency