title: [Postoperative analgesia: comparing continuous epidural catheter infusion of local anesthetic and opioid and continuous wound catheter infusion of local anesthetic].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Continuous wound infusion has been investigated as a method of postoperative pain control and its efficacy has been demonstrated when compared to saline infusion. The objective of this study was to compare the quality of postoperative analgesia, the use of opioids as rescue analgesia, patient satisfaction, and the incidence of complications between epidural catheter infusion of local anesthetic and opioids and continuous wound infusion of local anesthetic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight patients undergoing elective laparotomy under general anesthesia, randomly divided into two groups, participated in this study. Group I (GI) received postoperative patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with continuous infusion of ropivacaine and fentanyl, while Group II (GII) receive postoperative patient-controlled continuous wound catheter infusion of ropivacaine. In the postoperative period, the following parameters were assessed: quality of analgesia through the Visual Analogue Scale; use of rescue opioids; and adverse effects driving patient satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Decreased pain at rest and with movements (p < 0.05) and lower consumption of rescue opioids (p < 0.05) were observed in GI in all intervals evaluated, as well as greater patient satisfaction in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU). The incidence of complications was similar in both groups except for pruritus which prevailed in GI between 6 (p < 0.05) and 24 (p < 0.001) postoperative hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postoperative analgesia with opioids and local anesthetics via PCEA was superior to the patient-controlled local anesthetic infusion into surgical wound. The incidence of side effects was similar in both groups.
authors: Departamento de Anestesiologia of UFSC; Physician of Hospital Universitário of UFSC.
authors: Maria Cristina Simões
authors: MC
authors: de Almeida
authors: Giovani
authors: G
authors: de Figueiredo Locks
authors: Horácio Pereira
authors: HP
authors: Gomes
authors: Guilherme Muriano
authors: GM
authors: Brunharo
authors: Ana Laura Colle
authors: AL
authors: Kauling