Morphine Delays Discharge following Ambulatory Surgery: A Prospective Institutional study

Abstract

Introduction - Morphine is used regularly in day surgery despite its known side-effects. We assessed whether this delayed discharge. Patients and methods - 100 patients were divided into 2 groups: 50 patients received morphine and 50 patients received non-morphine analgesia. Demographic data and reasons for delayed discharge were recorded. Results – 73% of all major cases received morphine compared to only 19% of minor cases. Operative and recovery times were significantly greater in the morphine group. 58% of patients given morphine had a delayed discharge compared to 14% of patients not given morphine. Conclusions - Morphine use in day surgery is associated with increased operating and recovery times and higher rates of delayed discharge.