Comparison of patient-controlled epidural analgesia with and without night-time infusion following gastrectomy.
To assess the analgesic efficacy and side effects of a supplemental night-time infusion in patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) after gastrectomy, we carried out a randomized, double-blind study. The number of requests were lower (P<0.005) in the PCEA plus night-time infusion group than in the PCEA alone group during the postoperative nights. Patients who had a PCEA plus night-time continuous infusion, slept with fewer interruptions than those who had only the PCEA. VAS pain scores on coughing were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the PCEA plus infusion group than in the PCEA alone group during the night following postoperative day 1. In conclusion, a night-time infusion in PCEA following gastrectomy decreases the incidence of postoperative pain, provides a better sleep pattern, and reduces the degree of the pain associated with coughing during the night.
Komatsu
H
H
Department of Anesthesiology, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan.
Matsumoto
S
S
Mitsuhata
H
H
D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods*; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / Q000379:methods*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003371:Cough / Q000150:complications; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006801:Humans; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects
D000779:Anesthetics, Local