Preemptive epidural analgesia for thoracic surgery.
The purpose of this study was to determine if preemptive epidural analgesia performed before thoracotomy incision and during the operation reduces postoperative pain. Patients in the treatment group received 8 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine and 2 mL of fentanyl (50 microg/mL) via the epidural route prior to skin incision, followed by an infusion of bupivacaine 0.1% and fentanyl 10 microg/mL at 6 mL/hr. The control group received saline in the epidural. All patients in both groups were dosed with 8 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine and 2 mL of fentanyl 50 microg/mL via the epidural route at the time of the chest closure. The patients in the treatment group required less isoflurane intraoperatively and had lower maximum pain scores in the first 6 hours postoperatively. No significant differences were noted after the first 6 hours.
Neustein
Steven M
SM
Department of Anesthesiology, Box 1010, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One East 100th Street, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Kreitzer
Joel M
JM
Krellenstein
Daniel
D
Reich
David L
DL
Rapaport
Eugene
E
Cohen
Edmond
E
D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods*; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013908:Thoracotomy
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005283:Fentanyl; D002045:Bupivacaine