Efficacy of Acupuncture for Prophylaxis of Intrathecal Morphine Induced Pruritis in Patients Undergoing Caesarean Delivery

Letterkenny General Hospital44 enrolled

Overview

Intrathecal morphine is commonly used for pain relief in caesarean delivery. Side effects such as itch (pruritis) and nausea \& vomiting are common and have been shown to be the most common cause for dissatisfaction. The incidence of pruritis is 74% even with current available medications. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for morphine related side effects but has not been evaluated for prophylaxis of itch in pregnant population. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Acupuncture at LI 11 reduces the incidence of pruritis after elective caesarean section under spinal with intrathecal morphine

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Acupuncture Morphine Induced Pruritis

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 50 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion criteria: * ASA I \& II patients undergoing elective caesarean delivery under spinal with intrathecal morphine Exclusion criteria: * Patient refusal * ASA III \& IV patients * Pre-existing pruritis * Eczema * Bleeding tendencies * Known allergy to any of medications used * Any contra indication to spinal anaesthesia

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Incidence of pruritis

To determine acupuncture at li 11 reduces the incidence of pruritis after elective caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia with intrathecal morphine

Time frame: First 24 hr post intrathecal morphine

Secondary Outcomes

Severity of pruritis

To determine acupuncture reduces: 1. Severity of pruritis 2. Requirement of relief medications

Time frame: 1, 4, 8, 24 hr post intrathecal morphine