Patient-controlled versus nurse-controlled post-operative analgesia after caesarean section

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the differences in the quality of analgesia by patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and nurse-controlled analgesia (NCA) for post-caesarean section analgesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 350 women who undertake elective cesarean section were assigned to the three groups. Group I (n=200), IV-PCA morphine; group II (n=100), IV-PCA methadone; group III (n=50) NCA morphine. Data collected during the 24 h observation period included visual analog scale (VAS) pain and patient satisfaction scores, the incidence of nausea and vomiting, severe sedation and pruritis. RESULTS: VAS pain scores for each time at which it was evaluated were higher for NCA group than other groups. Also patient satisfaction was significantly increased in the IV-PCA Group as compared with group III. The prevalence of pruritis was higher for NCA group than other groups. CONCLUSION: In post caesarean section, PCA morphine or methadone improves 24-h VAS compared with NCA.