Intrathecal Magnesium and Postoperative Analgesia
Summary
Magnesium is implicated in the activation of NMDA receptors by amino-excitatory acids in the central nervous system \[1\]. Magnesium deficiency is associated to an increased activation of these receptors, and to an increased sensitivity to pain in animals. Spinal cord is the site of sensitization of pain, mainly mediated by the NMDA receptors, and intrathecal magnesium may have anti-hyperalgesic effect when administered intrathecally \[2\]. As intrathecal magnesium has already been used in humans for treatment of eclampsia, we stated that it could also improve postoperative analgesia and reduce the need for auto-administered morphine if given (50 mg of magnesium sulfate) with the intrathecal anesthetic drugs (bupivacaine and sufentanil) injected for orthopedic surgery.
Timeline
- Start
- 2004-01
- Primary completion
- 2008-10
- Completion
- 2008-10
Publications
- Background Mayer ML, Westbrook GL. Permeation and block of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor channels by divalent cations in mouse cultured central neurones. J Physiol. 1987 Dec;394:501-27. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1987.sp016883.
- Background Buvanendran A, McCarthy RJ, Kroin JS, Leong W, Perry P, Tuman KJ. Intrathecal magnesium prolongs fentanyl analgesia: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Anesth Analg. 2002 Sep;95(3):661-6, table of contents. doi: 10.1097/00000539-200209000-00031.
Drugs
| Evaluation | Drug | Modality | Dose | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Magnesium Sulfate | Other / unclassified | 50 mg | Intrathecal |
Indications
No indication recorded.