title: Epidural analgesia in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a nationwide analysis of use and outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of epidural analgesia in laparoscopic colorectal surgery has demonstrated superiority over conventional analgesia in controlling pain. Controversy exists, however, regarding its cost-effectiveness and its effect on postoperative outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the use of epidural analgesia in laparoscopic colorectal surgery at the national level and to compare its outcomes with those of conventional analgesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective review of laparoscopic colorectal cases performed with or without epidural analgesia for cancer, diverticular disease, and benign polyps. Patient demographic characteristics, disease and procedure types, and hospital settings were listed for patients in the epidural and conventional analgesia groups. A 1 to 4 case-matched analysis was performed, matching for patient demographic characteristics, hospital setting, indications, and procedure type. Data were obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total hospital charge, length of stay, mortality, pneumonia, respiratory failure, urinary tract infection, urinary retention, anastomotic leak, and postoperative ileus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 191576 laparoscopic colorectal cases were identified during the study period. Epidural analgesia was used in 4102 cases (2.14%). Epidurals were more likely to be used in large teaching hospitals, cancer cases, and rectal operations. On case-matched analysis, epidural analgesia was associated with a longer hospital stay by 0.60 day (P=.003), higher hospital charges by $3732.71 (P=.02), and higher rate of urinary tract infection (odds ratio=1.81; P=.05). Epidural analgesia did not affect the incidence of respiratory failure, pneumonia, anastomotic leak, ileus, or urinary retention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The perioperative use of epidural analgesia in laparoscopic colorectal surgery is limited in the United States. While epidural analgesia appears to be safe, it comes with higher hospital charges, longer hospital stay, and a higher incidence of urinary tract infections.
authors: Department of Surgery, Irvine School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine.
authors: Wissam J
authors: WJ
authors: Halabi
authors: Department of Surgery, Irvine School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine.
authors: Celeste Y
authors: CY
authors: Kang
authors: Department of Statistics, University of California, Irvine.
authors: Vinh Q
authors: VQ
authors: Nguyen
authors: Department of Surgery, Irvine School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine.
authors: Joseph C
authors: JC
authors: Carmichael
authors: Department of Surgery, Irvine School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine.
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Mills
authors: Department of Surgery, Irvine School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Stamos
authors: Department of Surgery, Irvine School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine.
authors: Alessio
authors: A
authors: Pigazzi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods*; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology