The effect of intravenous magnesium on postoperative morphine consumption in noncardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis

Ng et al., 2020 | Eur J Anaesthesiol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Ng Ka T, Yap Jasmine L L, ... Koh Wen J. The effect of intravenous magnesium on postoperative morphine consumption in noncardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2020-Mar;37(3):212-223. doi:10.1097/EJA.0000000000001164

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest that systemic magnesium reduces postoperative opioid consumption and the intensity of pain, but others report conflicting results. The efficacy and safety profile of intravenous magnesium in noncardiac surgery remain uncertain. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review was to investigate the effect of intravenous magnesium on the consumption of postoperative morphine in the first 24 h in adults undergoing noncardiac surgery. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL from their inception until January 2019. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: All randomised clinical trials comparing intravenous magnesium versus placebo in noncardiac surgery were systematically searched in the databases. Observational studies, case reports, case series and nonsystematic reviews were excluded. RESULTS: Fifty-one trials (n=3311) were included for quantitative meta-analysis. In comparison with placebo, postoperative morphine consumption at 24-h was significantly reduced in the magnesium group, with a mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] of -5.6 mg (-7.54 to -3.66, P < 0.001, I = 92%, level of evidence low). The trial sequential analysis for the effect of magnesium on postoperative morphine consumption was conclusive. Patients who received magnesium had a longer time to the first analgesia request [143 (103 to 183) min, P < 0.001, I = 99%, level of evidence low] and a lower incidence of shivering [0.26 (0.15 to 0.44), P < 0.001, I = 35%, level of evidence very low]. However, no significance differences were demonstrated in postoperative pain scores in the first 24 h (mean difference, 95% CI) -0.30 (-0.69 to 0.09, P = 0.13, I = 91%, level of evidence low), bradycardia (odds ratio, 95% CI) 1.13 (0.43 to 2.98, P = 0.80, I = 35%, level of evidence very low) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (odds ratio, 95% CI) 0.90 (0.67 to 1.22, P = 0.49, I = 25%, level of evidence moderate). CONCLUSION: The current meta-analysis demonstrates that the use of intravenous magnesium as part of multimodal analgesia may reduce morphine consumption in the first 24 h after surgery and delay the time to the first request for analgesia in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. However, the included studies were of low-quality with substantial heterogeneity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRD42018086846.

Key Findings

Fifty-one trials (n=3311) were included for quantitative meta-analysis. In comparison with placebo, postoperative morphine consumption at 24-h was significantly reduced in the magnesium group, with a mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] of -5.6 mg (-7.54 to -3.66, P < 0.001, I = 92%, level of evidence low). The trial sequential analysis for the effect of magnesium on postoperative morphine consumption was conclusive. Patients who received magnesium had a longer time to the first analge

Outcomes Measured

• Requires manual extraction

Population

MeSH Terms

• Adult
• Analgesia
• Analgesics, Opioid
• Humans
• Magnesium
• Morphine
• Postoperative Pain

Evidence Classification

• Level: Meta Analysis
• Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
• Vertical: magnesium

Provenance

• PMID: 31977626
• DOI: 10.1097/EJA.0000000000001164
• PMCID: Not in PMC
• Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09