Effect of single-shot intrathecal morphine versus continuous epidural analgesia on length of stay after gastrectomy for cancer: a retrospective cohort study

Background Single-dose intrathecal opiates (ITO) could shorten the length of hospital stay compared to thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA). This study aimed to compare TEA with TIO in terms of length of hospital stay, pain control, and parenteral opioid consumption in patients undergoing gastrectomy for cancer. Methods The patients who underwent gastrectomy for cancer in 2007–2018 at the CHU de Québec—Université Laval were included. The patients were grouped as TEA and intrathecal morphine (ITM). The primary outcome was the length of hospital of stay (LOS). The secondary outcomes were numeric rating scales (NRS) for pain and parenteral opioid consumption. Results A total of 79 patients were included. There were no differences in preoperative characteristics between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The median LOS was shorter in the ITM group than in the TEA group (median, 7.5 vs. 10 days, P = 0.049). The opioids consumption at 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively was significantly lower in the TEA group at all time points. The NRS score for pain was lower in the TEA group than in the ITM group at all time points (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Patients with ITM analgesia undergoing gastrectomy presented shorter LOS than those with TEA. ITM had an inferior pain control that did not have a clinical impact on recovery in the cohort studied. Given the limitations of this retrospective study, further trials are warranted.