title: Analgesia and sedation with epidural clonidine associated to 0.75% ropivacaine in the postoperative period of open cholecystectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epidural clonidine has analgesic properties and potentiates local anesthetic effects; there are, however, some side effects including: arterial hypotension, bradycardia and sedation. This study aimed at evaluating analgesia and sedation of clonidine associated to 0.75% ropivacaine in the postoperative period of open cholecystectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participated in this study 30 patients of both genders, aged 18 to 50 years, weighing 50 to 100 kg, physical status ASA I or II, submitted to cholecystectomy, who were distributed in two groups: Control Group (CG) received 0.75% ropivacaine (20 ml) with saline solution (1 ml); Experimental Group (EG) received 0.75% ropivacaine (20 ml) with clonidine (1 ml = 150 microg). Analgesia and sedation were observed at 2, 6 and 24 postoperative hours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age was 41 yr in CG and 37 yr in EG. Mean weight was 67 kg in CG and 64 kg to EG. Postoperative sedation was significantly higher at 2 and 6 hours in the Experimental Group. Analgesia was observed in more EG patients as compared to Control Group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The association of clonidine and ropivacaine has produced longer analgesia and sedation at 2 and 6 hours of observation.
authors.affiliation: CET/SBA do Serviço de Anestesiologia do Hospital de Clínicas da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade do Vale do Sapucaí (HC-FCM-UNIVAS), Pouso Alegre, MG.
authors.forename: Antonio Mauro
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Taylor Brandão
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Schnaider
authors.forename: Flávio Aparecido
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Everaldo Donizeti
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Costa