Objective　To compare the efficacy of epidural morphine with and without Transnasal butorphanol on postoperative pain relief following abdominal hysterectomy. Methods　A single-blind design, randomized, placebo controlled study of 50 patients (ASA I~II )undergoing total abdominal hysterectomies was conducted to group A and group B (n=25). Following elective abdominal hysterectomy with epidural anesthesia via L2-3, group A of 25 patients received a single epidural bolus of morphine (0.5 mg) with transnasal saline as placebo analgesia (0.1ml, q4h), and group B received a single epidural bolus of morphine (0.5 mg) combined with transnasal butorphanol 1 mg ( 0.1 ml, q4h) for postoperative analgesia. Parameters monitored were pain score (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), sedation score(Remesay sedation score, RSS), blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, SPO2　and side effects such as nausea, emesis, skin itching and delayed respiratory depression. Results　Compared with group A, the VAS scores were found to be reduced in group B significantly from 20 h to 32 h after epidural analgesia (P< 0.01). There was a significant difference in analgesics-effect curve (AUC) (P< 0.01) between two groups. The incidences of complications were equally comparable in both two groups. Conclusion　 Single epidural bolus of morphine 0.5mg with regularly transnasal Butorphanol (1 mg, q4h) had a better analgesic effect than placebo analgesia, which is easier to perform in pain management and is practicable for abdominal hysterectomy in the primary hospital.