Table 2.

Comparison of patients in the intrathecal morphine group and the control group concerning secondary outcome measures and other (not prespecified) outcome measures

Outcomes	Intrathecal morphine (n = 18)	Control (n = 18)	p
Secondary outcome measure
Total dose or morphine over first three postoperative days (mg)	26 (10–44)	17 (10–28)	0.257
Time to patient mobilization (days)	1 (1–2)	1 (1–2)	0.791
RASS
Day 0	−1 (−1 to 0)	−1 (−1 to 0)	0.584
Day 1	0 (0–0)	0 (0–0)	0.424
Time to solid food intake (days)	2 (1–3)	2 (1–3)	0.743
Duration of postoperative hospitalization (days)	6.5 (5–7)	7 (6–10)	0.044
Complications (≥3 Clavien–Dindo grade)	2 (11.1%)	5 (27.8%)	0.402
Other (not prespecified) outcome measures
Any episode of NRS ≥4
At rest	2 (11.1%)	3 (16.7%)	>0.999
While coughing	8 (44.4%)	8 (44.4%)	>0.999
Time to sitting with assistance (days)	1 (1–1)	1 (1–1)	0.462
Time to sitting alone (days)	1 (1–2)	1 (1–1)	0.563
Time to standing with assistance (days)	1 (1–2)	1 (1–1)	0.791
Time to walking with assistance (days)	1 (1–2)	1 (1–2)	0.791
Time to walking alone (days)	1 (1–2)	2 (1–2)	0.443
Time to oral water intake (days)	1 (1–1)	1 (1–1)	0.462
Time to first flatus (days)	2 (2–3)	2 (2–3)	0.864
Time to first defecation (days)	3.5 (3–5)	3 (3–4)	0.462
Postoperative nausea or vomiting	3 (16.7%)	7 (38.9%)	0.264

Data are presented as medians with interquartile ranges in brackets or as numbers with percentages in brackets

RASS Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale