COMT val158met Polymorphism and Spinal Analgesia Efficacy of Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer (a Pilot Study)

Abstract

The aim: To assess the effect of COMT G1947A genetic polymorphism (val158met) on the efficacy of spinal analgesia on day 1 after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.Material and methods. In a pilot study involving 100 patients with colorectal cancer, operated through laparoscopic access, using spinal analgesia (10.0–12.5 mg of bupivacaine + 200 mcg of morphine), the frequency of COMT gene G1947A (val158met) polymorphism, the intensity of pain on day 1 after surgery, the frequency and severity of nausea, vomiting, skin itching, the need for additional analgesia have been assessed.Results. The frequency distribution of alleles val/val (25%), val/met (45%) and met/met (30%) was consisted with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (χ2=0.96; P>0.05) and was not significantly different from the healthy donor group. In the groups of patients with various COMT alleles of val158met polymorphism, the studied parameters also did not differ significantly.Conclusion. Study did not find significant link between spinal analgesia efficacy on day 1 after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer and COMT rs4680 G1947A (val158met) polymorphism. Further research to enhance the power of the study is warranted to reach the final conclusions.