Effect of intrathecal morphine on the adrenocortical and hyperglycaemic responses to upper abdominal surgery.

Changes in plasma cortisol concentration and serum glucose concentration were measured in a group of 10 patients given intrathecal morphine 0.8 mg before cholecystectomy and the results compared with those from a control group of 10 patients receiving papaveretum i.v. during the operative procedure. Intrathecal morphine had no effect upon the hyperglycaemic response to surgery, but attenuated the increase in serum cortisol concentration.