CUHK finds methadone far more effective than morphine for post-cardiac surgery pain relief: with 60% less acute pain and 70% lower opioid dependence

A randomised controlled trial conducted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) has revealed that intravenous methadone administered at anaesthetic induction during cardiac surgery provides significantly better postoperative pain control than morphine, with 60% less acute pain within the first 72 hours post-operation and nearly 70% lower postoperative morphine consumption, reducing physical and psychological distress in patients. This breakthrough offers a novel approach to postoperative pain management in cardiac surgery, speeding up recovery and reshaping pain control strategies for major surgical procedures in Hong Kong. The findings have been published in the international medical journal Anaesthesia.