title: A comparison of patient-controlled epidural analgesia following gynaecological surgery with and without a background infusion.
abstract: We conducted a randomised, controlled study to investigate the effect of adding a background infusion to patient-controlled epidural analgesia for postoperative pain relief. Forty-two patients scheduled for elective lower abdominal gynaecological surgery received patient-controlled epidural analgesia postoperatively using a mixture of 0.2% ropivacaine and 2.0 microg x ml-1 fentanyl. Patients in group B (n = 20) were given a background infusion of 5 ml x h-1, whereas those in group N (n = 21) were not. There was no difference in pain scores or patient satisfaction scores between the two groups. Patients in group B had a higher total drug consumption (156.8 +/- 34.8 ml vs. 89.5 +/- 41.0 ml; p < 0.0001) and incidence of side-effects (71.4% vs. 30.0%; p = 0.007). Motor blockade during the 24-h study period was also greater in group B (median [range] area under the curve 7.5 [0.0-39.0] h vs. 3.0 [0.0-36.0] h; p = 0.035). We conclude that the addition of a background infusion to patient-controlled epidural anaesthesia is not recommended as it confers no additional benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia (Obstetrics & Gynaecology), KK Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Sia
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods*; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / Q000379:methods*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D000077212:Ropivacaine
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D005283:Fentanyl