Intrathecal Opioid
Narcotic analgesic administered directly into the cerebrospinal fluid to provide prolonged postoperative pain relief.
Full Definition
A class of analgesic medications administered into the intrathecal space (subarachnoid space) containing cerebrospinal fluid to provide extended pain relief following cesarean delivery or other obstetric procedures. Common intrathecal opioids include morphine, fentanyl, and sufentanil, each with different onset times, durations, and side effect profiles. These medications bind to opioid receptors in the spinal cord, providing superior analgesia with lower systemic doses compared to intravenous administration. However, their use requires careful monitoring for potential complications including respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, and pruritus.
Usage
Usage note: Specify the particular opioid when documenting (e.g., 'intrathecal morphine').
In Context
- "Intrathecal morphine 0.1 mg was added to the spinal anesthetic to provide postoperative analgesia." — Anesthetic record
- "The patient experienced excellent pain control for 18 hours following intrathecal opioid administration." — Postoperative note