Epidural analgesia during brachytherapy for cervical cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To find out the efficacy of epidural analgesia in providing continuous pain relief for patients undergoing brachytherapy for cervical cancer.


METHODS
Teaching Hospital.


METHODS
Retrospective Study.


METHODS
A total of 152 patients of cervical cancer received epidural analgesia during 18 to 21 hours of pelvic brachytherapy. Epidural top up was given using 60-100 microg of buprenorphine every 08-10 hrs. Additional top up or systemic analgesics were given for breakthrough pain.


RESULTS
Majority of patients 119 out of 152 received epidural top up twice during their stay in the brachytherapy ward. Only 20 out of 152 needed additional analgesics.


CONCLUSIONS
Epidural analgesia is safe and provides satisfactory pain relief during brachytherapy and makes patient's stay more comfortable.
Janaki
M G
MG
Department of Radiotherapy, M.S. Ramaiah Teaching Hospital, Gokul, Bangalore, India. drjanakimg@gmail.com
Nirmala
S
S
Kadam
Amrit R
AR
Ramesh
B S
BS
Sunitha
K S
KS
D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002047:Buprenorphine