Effect of post-operative analgesia on patient morbidity.
The pathophysiology that commonly follows surgery results in detrimental physiological effects and may be associated with post-operative mortality and morbidity. The use of post-operative epidural analgesia, but not systemic opioids, may attenuate some of these adverse physiological effects and result in a decrease in patient-related morbidity post-operatively. Randomized trials suggest that the perioperative use of epidural analgesia may facilitate return of gastrointestinal function, attenuate hypercoagulable events and diminish post-operative pulmonary complications. A multimodal approach incorporating the use of epidural analgesia to control perioperative pathophysiology will facilitate the patient's recovery.
Wu
Christopher L
CL
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
Caldwell
Matthew D
MD
D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000401:mortality*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality*
D000700:Analgesics