Evaluation of Analgesia Effect With Intra-articular Both Morphine and Hyaluronate After Knee Arthroscopy

Objective To evaluate the difference in analgesia effects of different regimens used intra-articularly after the knee arthroscopy procedure. Methods Sixty patients performed knee arthroscopy under epidural anesthesia were randomly divided into 3 groups, and the following regimens were injected intra-articularly: the group B, 0.375% bupivacaine; the group M, morphine 2mg; and the group BMH, 0.375% bupivacaine, 2mg morphine and 30mg hyaluronate. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores after the patient actively flexed his/her operated knee to 90°, patient satisfaction with analgesic efficacy and the side effect were observed at the 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after operation. Results The 6, 12, 24 and 48 h postoperative VAS scores were much lower in group BMH than in group M and B (P0.05), and VAS in group M was lower than in group B also. Moreover, significant difference in degree of patients satisfaction with analgesic efficacy was observed between group BMH and group M and/or B (P0.05). One case was experienced nausea in group M, no other adverse effects was noted. Conclusion Intra-articular administration of combined bupivacaine, morphine and hyaluronate may provide superior postoperative analgesia vs. bupivacaine or morphine alone. It is an excellent regimen for analgesia after knee arthroscopy.