The authors present the results of two-year prospective study comparing spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% with morphine to general anaesthesia or spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine only. Spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine combined with intrathecal morphine provided excellent postoperative analgesia with statistically lower suppleme ntal analgesia requirements in the postoperative period. The adverse effects are not severe. Their frequency is comparable with other types of anaesthesia. Financial costs associated with that type of anaesthesia do not increase above the financial costs associated with general anaesthesia. The authors stress the need for use of morphine without preservatives and stabilizers along with the need for postoperative intensive monitoring. The results from the first half of the study period have been already published (Anest. neodkl. Péče 6, 1999, pp. 254-256). The complete study was already presented as a poster on the 53rd PGA (New York, December 11-15, 1999) and as a free paper on 2nd national Congress of the Section for analgesia and anaesthesia for labor and delivery (Prague, June 2-3, 2000).

        Key words: hyperbaric bupivacaine - preservative- and stabilizer-free morphine - postoperative monitoring