Coronary artery bypass grafting using two different anesthetic techniques: Part 3: Adrenergic responses.

Twenty patients were studied during and after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The patients were randomly assigned to two groups. In 10 patients, intraoperative general anesthesia (GA) was based on a combination of intravenous (IV) sufentanil and midazolam. In 10 other patients, thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) with 0.375% bupivacaine plus sufentanil, 1:200,000 (5 micrograms/mL), and intraoperative GA with midazolam/N2O were used. During the prebypass period, lower heart rates (HR), less variability in mean arterial pressure (MAP), and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) was accompanied by less variability in plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentrations in the TEA group. Although no differences were observed between the groups in perfusion pressure and the amount of vasoactive drugs used during the bypass period, variability in SVR was less in the TEA group. This was accompanied by less increase in NE and less variability in epinephrine (E) plasma concentrations. However, cortisol (Co) release was higher during this period in the TEA group. Weaning from bypass was accompanied by higher MAP and SVR in the TEA group at a lower HR, whereas no differences were observed in the E, NE, and Co plasma concentrations between the groups. During the first and second postoperative days, better pain relief and lower E and Co plasma concentrations were found in the TEA group. It can be concluded that better hemodynamic stability during the prebypass and bypass periods was accompanied by less E and NE release during these periods. Co release in the TEA group was higher during the bypass period. Weaning from bypass was characterized by better hemodynamics in the TEA group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Coronary artery bypass grafting using two different anesthetic techniques: Part I: Hemodynamic results.

Hemodynamic changes were studied during two different anesthetic techniques in 54 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). All patients had normal to moderately impaired left ventricular function and were randomly assigned to two groups. In 27 patients, high thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) with bupivacaine 0.375% plus sufentanil 1:200,000 (ie, 5 micrograms/mL) was used in combination with general anesthesia with midazolam/N2O; in the other 27 patients, general anesthesia (GA) with midazolam and sufentanil was used. After induction of epidural analgesia, heart rate and mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased. Changes in cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were not observed, whereas the stroke volume index increased significantly. After induction of intravenous anesthesia MAP decreased (20%) in both groups. During the pre-bypass period, metaraminol was used in 7 of 27 patients in the GA group and in 5 of 27 patients in the TEA group to treat hypotension. Inotopic drugs were used in 5 patients in the GA group and in none in the TEA group to treat a low CO. Ten GA patients and 4 TEA patients developed hypertension after sternal spread and the GA patients required more nitroprusside. Four GA patients developed electrocardiographic evidence of prebypass ischemia and, therefore, more nitroglycerin was needed for treating myocardial ischemia. More sodium nitroprusside was needed in the GA group during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and the post-bypass period to treat hypertension with a high SVR. In conclusion, hemodynamic stability was more pronounced in the TEA than the GA group before and after CPB.     

The effect of intravenous ketoprofen on postoperative epidural sufentanil analgesia in children.

We compared the effect of IV ketoprofen and placebo as an adjuvant to epidural sufentanil analgesia after major surgery. We used a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study design in 54 children aged 1-15 yr who received a standardized anesthetic. Either IV ketoprofen or saline was administered in addition to an epidural sufentanil infusion, which was adjusted as required clinically. The study drug infusions were discontinued when pain scores were <3 on 0-10 scale for 6 h at a sufentanil infusion rate of 0.03 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1). Children in the ketoprofen group had a better analgesic effect, as shown by decreased need for sufentanil (mean [10th-90th percentiles] 8.3 [3.1-15.1] microg/kg vs 12.5 [6.2-18.9] microg/kg; P = 0.002) and earlier possibility to discontinuation of the epidural sufentanil (11 [46%] vs 3 [13%]; P = 0.014) before the end of the 72-h study period. In the ketoprofen group, median (range) pain scores were lower during activity at 24 h (2 [0-5] vs 5 [0-7]; P = 0.01) and at 72 h (0 [0-3] vs 2 [0-6]; P = 0.033), and fewer children had inadequate pain relief during activity at 24 h (0 vs 5; P = 0.037). Children who received ketoprofen required fewer infusion rate adjustments (12 [4-20] vs 17 [6-42]; P = 0.016). In the ketoprofen group, the incidence of desaturation (1 [4%] vs 6 [26%]; P = 0.035) and fever (3 [12%] vs 11 [48%]; P = 0.008) was less than that in the placebo group. We conclude that ketoprofen improved postoperative pain in children. IMPLICATIONS: We compared the effect of the IV nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug ketoprofen versus placebo as adjuvants to epidural opioid analgesia with sufentanil. The continuous IV nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug improved pain after major surgery in children receiving an epidural opioid. Although ketoprofen reduced epidural sufentanil requirements, the incidence of opioid-related adverse effects was not changed.     

Epidural midazolam with bupivacaine--optimal dose for postoperative pain relief]

Optimal dose of epidural midazolam with bupivacaine for postoperative pain relief was investigated. Forty seven patients for upper abdominal surgery were divided into 5 groups. Each group had either 0.25% bupivacaine 6 ml (control group), 0.25% bupivacaine 6 ml + midazolam 0.025 mg.kg-1 (0.025 group), 0.05 mg.kg-1 (0.05 group), 0.075 mg.kg-1 (0.075 group), or 0.1 mg.kg-1 (0.1 group) administered epidurally for complaint of first postoperative pain. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and sedation score (SS) were monitored for 120 minutes, and the time interval for next analgesics (TNA) was checked. In each group, BP fell down 10 minutes after injection, HR was unchanged, and RR (except for 0.1 group) decreased, compared with the preinjection level. There was no difference between control group and others in BP, HR and RR. But 3 cases in 0.075 group and 4 cases in 0.1 group needed chin lift with a pillow under the shoulder for slight airway obstruction. The most optimal SS was obtained in 0.05 group. TNA was significantly longer in 0.025 and 0.05 groups than in the control group. It was concluded that the optimal dose of epidural midazolam with 0.25% bupivacaine 6 ml was 0.05 mg.kg-1 for postoperative pain relief after an upper abdominal surgery.     

Preincisional dextromethorphan combined with thoracic epidural anesthesia and analgesia improves postoperative pain and bowel function in patients undergoing colonic surgery

Colonic surgery is associated with severe postoperative pain and postoperative ileus, which contribute to delayed hospital discharge. In previous studies, we demonstrated that IM dextromethorphan (DM) provided preemptive analgesia and improved postoperative pain. The benefit of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) and postoperative epidural analgesia on postoperative pain was well demonstrated. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of preincisional IM DM combined with intraoperative TEA and postoperative patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) on pain and bowel function after colonic surgery. Patients were randomized into 3 equal groups to receive: 1) chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) 20 mg and general anesthesia (CPM-GA); 2) CPM 20 mg and GA combined with TEA (CPM-TEA); or 3) DM 40 mg (containing 20 mg of CPM) and GA combined with TEA (DM-TEA). The CPM, DM, and TEA with lidocaine were administered after GA induction via an IM injection and 30 min before the skin incision. All patients received postoperative PCEA for pain control. Analgesic effects were evaluated for 72 h after surgery using visual analog scale pain scores at rest and moving, time to first PCEA request for pain relief, total PCEA consumption, and the time to first passage of flatus. Statistically significant improvement of postoperative pain and bowel function was observed in the following order: DM-TEA > CPM-TEA > CPM-GA. Compared with the CPM-TEA group, the DM-TEA group averaged 1.6 points lower on first-hour pain scores, 40 min longer to first PCEA request, 15.8 mL less PCEA drug over 72 h, and 14.7 h earlier bowel function (all P < 0.01). We conclude that the combination of preincisional DM (40 mg IM), intraoperative TEA, and postoperative PCEA enhances analgesia and facilitates recovery of bowel function, suggesting possible synergistic interaction with local anesthetics and opioids.     

Epidural administration of midazolam with saline or bupivacaine for postoperative pain]

Postoperative pain relief and sedation with epidural midazolam-saline or midazolam-bupivacaine were studied in 46 patients after elective upper abdominal surgery. They were divided into 6 groups. In each group, 10 ml saline, 10 ml saline+midazolam 0.05 mg.kg-1, 10 ml saline+midazolam 0.1 mg.kg-1 (saline group), 0.25% bupivacaine 6 ml, 0.25% bupivacaine 6 ml + midazolam 0.05 mg.kg-1 or 0.25% bupivacaine 6 ml + midazolam 0.1 mg.kg-1 (bupivacaine group) was administered via epidural catheter for complaint of pain. For 120 minutes after epidural injection, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), sedation score, and serum concentration of midazolam (conc midazolam) were evaluated. The time interval until next complaint of pain (pain relief time) was measured. In midazolam injected group, BP, HR, RR were not changed from preinjection value, but sufficient sedation was obtained and pain relief time was significantly prolonged compared with saline or bupivacaine injected group. Midazolam level was lower than that of sedation level. There were no significant differences between saline group and bupivacaine group, but the pain relief effect was slightly stronger in bupivacaine group. It is concluded that epidural saline - midazolam or 0.25% bupivacaine - midazolam is useful for postoperative pain relief after upper abdominal surgery.     

The effects of three different analgesia techniques on long-term postthoracotomy pain.

In this clinical, randomized, prospective study, we compared the effects of three different analgesia techniques (thoracic epidural analgesia [TEA] with and without preoperative initiation and IV patient-controlled analgesia [IV-PCA]) on postthoracotomy pain in 69 patients. In two groups, a thoracic epidural catheter was inserted preoperatively. Group Pre-TEA had bupivacaine and morphine solution preoperatively and intraoperatively. Postoperative analgesia was maintained with epidural PCA with a similar solution. Group Post-TEA, with no intraoperative medication, had the same postoperative analgesia as Group Pre-TEA plus the bolus dose. Group IV-PCA received only IV-PCA with morphine for postoperative analgesia. Pain was evaluated every 4 h during the first 48 h at rest, cough, and movement. Pre-TEA was associated with decreased pain compared with the other groups. Six months later, the patients were asked about their pain. The incidence and the intensity of pain were most frequent in Group IV-PCA (78%) and were the least in Group Pre-TEA (45%) (Group Pre-TEA versus Group IV-PCA, P = 0.0233; Group Pre-TEA versus Group IV-PCA, P = 0.014). Patients having pain on the second postoperative day had 83% chronic pain. TEA with preoperative initiation is a preferable method in preventing acute and long-term thoracotomy pain. IMPLICATIONS: Preoperatively initiated thoracic epidural analgesia has the most satisfying results in controlling postthoracotomy pain in the acute and long-term period, and it is associated with a decreased incidence (and intensity) of chronic pain compared with postoperative (epidural or IV) analgesia. Chronic pain has an incidence of 62%.     

胸段硬膜外复合静脉全麻与全凭静脉麻醉在开胸手术中的比较

目的 比较胸段硬膜外复合静脉全麻与全凭静脉麻醉对开胸手术患者血流动力学、麻醉药维持剂量、术后苏醒、躁动及疼痛的影响.方法 64例择期行剖胸手术患者,ASA Ⅱ级～Ⅲ级,采用完全随机设计的方法分为2组.A组:胸段硬膜外复合静脉全麻组,患者预先用10 ml 0.25%布比卡因和0.1 mg芬太尼硬膜外给药.术中硬膜外0.25%布比卡因和芬太尼10μg/ml,5 ml/h复合丙泊酚维持.B组:全凭静脉麻醉组,丙泊酚-端芬太尼全凭静脉麻醉.观察并记录不同时间点2组心率(HR)、平均动脉压(MAP)、中心静脉压(CVP)、所需麻醉维持药量、术毕清醒及出现疼痛时间.结果 2组患者各观察点血流动力学变化比较,差异无统计学意义;胸段硬膜外复合静脉全麻组麻醉维持不需要静脉镇痛药瑞芬太尼和肌松药阿曲库铵,只需复合充分的丙泊酚镇静,就能满足手术需求;术后苏醒早;拔管时间(11±4)min,相对于全凭静脉麻醉组(23±16)min明显缩短(P<0.05):躁动例数显著减少;术后出现疼痛时间(7.4±2.6)min相对于全凭静脉麻醉组(0.5士0.3)min明显延长(P<0.01).结论 胸段硬膜外复合静脉全麻用于开胸手术快通道麻醉是一种安全、经济、有效并有利于患者术后恢复的麻醉方法.     

Subarachnoid Sufentanil for Early Postoperative Pain Management in Orthopedic Patients: A Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Study Using Spinal Microcatheters

Background: Continuous spinal anesthesia is frequently used for intraoperative anesthesia but rarely for postoperative pain management. Because even small doses of local anesthetics can be associated with motor deficits, subarachnoid opioid injection may be an alternative.

Methods: Eighty patients randomly received a subarachnoid injection of 10 [mu]g sufentanil, 5 mg bupivacaine, 2.5 [mu]g sufentanil plus 2.5 mg bupivacaine, or saline through 28-gauge spinal microcatheters for early postoperative pain relief after major lower-limb surgery (n = 20 in each group). Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, pain scores, and motor function were monitored, and sufentanil concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid were measured. Ten additional patients received up to three repetitive injections of 10 [mu]g sufentanil over 24 h.

Results: All drugs provided excellent pain relief within 15 min after injection, lasting 128 +/- 61 min with sufentanil, 146 +/- 74 min with bupivacaine, and 167 +/- 78 min with the mixture. Patients receiving bupivacaine showed the highest cephalad extension of sensory block (median, T6) and the most intense motor block, whereas patients given only sufentanil had no motor deficit. The duration of analgesia was shorter after subsequent sufentanil injection (100-115 min) than after the first injection (198 +/- 70 min). Six of 50 patients with sufentanil experienced a short episode of respiratory depression within 30 min after the first injection. Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of sufentanil peaked at 5 min after injection (183 +/- 167 ng/ml) but were at the level of detection in the plasma.     

Epidural sufentanil for intra– and postoperative analgesia in thoracic surgery: a comparative study with intravenous sufentanil

A comparative study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of epidural sufentanil in providing intra- and postoperative analgesia during thoracic surgery. Sufentanil was chosen on the basis of its high lipid solubility and its potent opiate receptor binding. Epidural sufentanil was compared with intravenous sufentanil as the major intraoperative analgetic agent in an anesthesia regimen with midazolam and nitrous oxide. Epidural sufentanil significantly decreased the need for supplementary intravenous analgesia. In the epidural sufentanil group the immediate postoperative analgesia was found to be better, with a longer duration of action, compared with the intravenous sufentanil group. Postoperatively epidural sufentanil was compared with epidural morphine. Sufentanil provided good analgesia with a very fast onset and a mean duration of almost 7 h. Severe respiratory depression was observed in one patient within 1 h of extubation, probably due to the combined effects of the narcotic administration and residual midazolam. It is concluded that 50 micrograms of sufentanil administered in the thoracic epidural space provides valuable intraoperative analgesia which can easily be extended into the postoperative period, although all necessary precautions for epidural opiate administration should be taken.     

Pre- and intraoperative epidural ropivacaine have no early preemptive analgesic effect in major gynecological tumour surgery

PURPOSE: Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is an established technique for postoperative pain relief after major abdominal surgery. However it is still under discussion whether pre-incisional TEA can reduce postoperative pain perception or postoperative analgesic consumption. METHODS: The present prospective, randomized, double-blind study was performed to investigate the effects of intra- and postoperative TEA vs only postoperative TEA using ropivacaine 0.375% in 30 women scheduled for major abdominal tumour surgery. Prior to induction of general anesthesia patients received an epidural bolus of 10 mL saline in Group I (GI) and 10 mL ropivacaine 0.375% in Group II (GII) followed by an infusion of 6 mL x hr(-1) of the respective solution during surgery. Postoperatively all patients received an epidural infusion of 6 mL x hr(-1) ropivacaine 0.375% during 24 hr followed by patient controlled epidural analgesia for the next 72 hr. Operative data, dynamic pain scores, consumption of local anesthetics and standardized supplemental analgesics were analyzed. RESULTS: No difference was seen between groups with respect to the amount of required postoperative local anesthetics and supplemental analgesics, pain scores and side effects during the first 96 hr following surgery except a reduction of intraoperative sufentanil consumption (GI: 143.2 +/- 52.6 vs GII: 73.3 +/- 32.6 microg, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative TEA with ropivacaine 0.375% did not significantly reduce the amount of analgesics required after major abdominal gynecological tumour surgery.     

Continuous intra- and postoperative thoracic epidural analgesia attenuates brain natriuretic peptide release after major abdominal surgery

We investigated whether blocking afferent nociceptive inputs by continuous intra- and postoperative thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) would decrease plasma concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients who were at risk for, or had, coronary artery disease. Twenty-eight patients undergoing major abdominal surgery received either general anesthesia supplemented with a continuous thoracic epidural infusion of 1.25 mg/mL bupivacaine and 1 microg/mL sufentanil (n = 14; TEA) or general anesthesia followed by IV patient-controlled analgesia (n = 14; IV PCA). Visual analog scale pain scores, hemodynamics, plasma catecholamines, cardiac troponin T, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and BNP were serially measured preoperatively, 90 min after skin incision, at arrival in the intensive care unit, and in the morning of the first, second, and third postoperative day. Dynamic visual analog scale scores were significantly less in the TEA group. TEA reduced the postoperative heart rate without affecting other hemodynamic variables. Plasma epinephrine increased perioperatively in both groups but was significantly lower in the TEA group. Baseline ANP and BNP concentrations were similar between groups (TEA 3.4 +/- 1.8 and 27.0 +/- 12.3 pg/mL; IV PCA 3.1 +/- 2.0 and 25.9 +/- 13.0 pg/mL, respectively). ANP and BNP increased perioperatively in both groups, with significantly lower postoperative BNP levels in TEA patients (TEA 92.1 +/- 31.9 pg/mL; IV PCA 161.2 +/- 44.7 pg/mL). No such difference was observed in plasma ANP concentrations. Plasma cardiac troponin T concentrations were within normal limits in both groups at all times. We conclude that continuous perioperative TEA using local anesthetics and opioids attenuated the release of BNP in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery who were at risk for, or had, coronary artery disease.     

Continuous thoracic epidural anesthesia with 0.2% ropivacaine versus general anesthesia for perioperative management of modified radical mastectomy

We evaluated in this prospective study the effectiveness of continuous thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) and postoperative analgesia with ropivacaine and compared it with general anesthesia (GA) and opioids for pain relief, side effects, postanesthesia recovery, and hospital discharge after modified radical mastectomy. Sixty ASA physical status II and III patients undergoing mastectomy were randomly assigned to two study groups of 30 patients each. In the TEA group, an epidural catheter was inserted at T6-7, and 5--10 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine was injected to maintain anesthesia and to continuously administer adequate analgesia for 48 h. GA was induced with IV 1--2 mg of midazolam or 50--100 microg/mL of fentanyl followed by 50--150 mg of propofol and was maintained with sevoflurane and 50% N(2)O in oxygen. The Aldrete score system was used to evaluate postanesthesia recovery, a verbal rating scale was used for assessment of pain intensity, and a postanesthesia discharge scoring system was used for discharge home. The demographic data and side effects (except for nausea and vomiting) (GA 43%, TEA 10%, P = 0.0074) and discharge home were similar in both groups. However, the number of patients ready for discharge from the recovery room during the first postanesthesia hour (Aldrete score of 10) was significantly larger after TEA (80%) than after GA (33%) (P = 0.0006). GA patients experienced significantly more (P < 0.001) substantial pain than TEA patients on Day 0 (70%), Day 1 (53%), and Day 2 (27%) after the surgery. Patient satisfaction was greater with TEA (70%) than with GA (30%) (P < 0.001). We conclude that TEA with ropivacaine provides better postoperative pain relief and less nausea and vomiting, facilitates postanesthesia recovery, and gives greater patient satisfaction than GA.     

Thoracic epidural anesthesia as an adjunct to general anesthesia for cardiac surgery: effects on ventilation-perfusion relationships.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) on ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) relationships, atelectasis, and oxygenation before and after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). DESIGN: Prospective, controlled, unblinded, randomized trial. SETTING: Cardiothoracic clinic at a major university referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight patients undergoing elective CABG. INTERVENTIONS: Perioperative and postoperative TEA was added to general anesthesia (GA) in 14 patients, and 14 patients receiving GA alone served as controls. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: VA/Q relationships were measured by the multiple inert gas elimination technique, and, 20 hours postoperatively, atelectasis was assessed by computerized tomographic scans. Arterial and mixed venous blood gases and hemodynamic variables were measured by standard techniques. TEA per se caused no change in shunt, VA/Q matching, or oxygenation. Induction of GA in the control group and induction of TEA caused similar reductions in mean arterial pressure. The TEA patients needed less morphine analgesia postoperatively and were extubated earlier. Extubation caused significant improvement in VA/Q matching. On the first postoperative day, a slight reduction in PaCO2 was seen in the TEA group, but no differences in shunt, VA/Q matching, or oxygenation compared with the GA group. Both groups showed extensive bilateral atelectasis. CONCLUSION: TEA can reduce respirator time and the need for morphine analgesics after CABG without negative effects on VA/Q matching, oxygenation, or atelectasis formation.     

The use of intraoperative epidural or spinal analgesia modulates postoperative hyperalgesia and reduces residual pain after major abdominal surgery

INTRODUCTION: The use of intraoperative multimodal analgesia has clearly improved postoperative pain control, mortality and morbidity after major surgical procedures. However, very few clinical trials have studied the longterm impact of intraoperative epidural or spinal analgesia on chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) development. Even less studies have evaluated the modulatory effect of intraoperative neuraxial analgesia on objective changes (i.e. mechanical hyperalgesia) reflecting central sensitization. METHODS: The present work compares general anesthesia alone (GA group) versus general anesthesia combined to either intraoperative epidural analgesia (EPID group: combination of bupicavaine, sufentanil and clonidine 1 microg/kg) or spinal analgesia (IT group: either bupivacaine or clonidine 300 microg) on the development of secondary mechanical hyperalgesia and the incidence of CPSP after major abdominal surgery. Data analyzed in the present work involve adult patients undergoing surgical resection of rectal adenocarcinoma who participated in three previously published randomized trials. RESULTS: Intraoperative epidural and particularly spinal analgesia reduced both incidence (p < 0.05 between GA alone and spinal analgesia) and extent (area) of secondary mechanical hyperalgesia surrounding the wound at 48h and 72 h after surgery. The use of intraoperative epidural and spinal analgesia also reduced CPSP incidence. Postoperative area of mechanical hyperalgesia seems positively correlated with the incidence CPSP. CONCLUSION: An effective intraoperative neuraxial block of nociceptive inputs from the wound using multimodal analgesia--specifically when involving spinal analgesics and antihyperalgesic drugs--contributes to prevent central sensitization and hence reduces CPSP after major abdominal procedures.     

Postoperative analgesia and intraoperative inhalational anesthetic requirements during umbilical herniorrhaphy in children: Postincisional local infiltration versus preincisional caudal epidural block

Study Objective: To determine the postoperative analgesic efficacy of, and the effects on, intraoperative inhalational anesthetic requirements of preincisional caudal epidural block versus postincisional infiltration of local anesthetic following umbilical herniorrhaphy in children.Design: Randomized, double-blind, prospective study.Setting: University medical center.Patients: 16 ASA status I and II patients (11 males, 5 females), ages 11 to 20 months, weighing up to 17 kg.Interventions: During standard anesthetic care, 16 children were randomized to receive either caudal block with 1.5 ml/kg of 0.2% bupivacaine (group 1) or local infiltration of the surgical site with up to 1.2 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine (Group 2).Measurements and Main Results: Patients in Group 1 had significantly decreased pain scores and requirements for supplemental postoperative intravenous (IV) fentanyl. Five of eight patients in Group 1 did not require supplemental IV fentanyl during their in-hospital postoperative course, while all eight patients in Group 2 required supplemental IV fentanyl. The patients who received caudal epidural block also had decreased intraoperative requirements for isoflurane, shorter time to extubation (4.1 ± 0.8 min vs. 8.4 ± 1.5 min), and quicker discharge home (129 ± 13 min vs. 163 ± 22 min). Five of eight patients in Group 1 were ready for discharge at our usual time of 120 minutes, as opposed to one of eight patients in Group 2.Conclusion: Preincisional caudal epidural block is more effective in controlling pain following umbilical herniorrhaphy than is postincisional local infiltration.     

Kombinierte Anästhesie mit Epiduralkatheter Eine retrospektive Analyse des perioperativen Verlaufs bei Patienten mit radikalen Prostatektomien

Patients requiring radical prostatectomy (rPE), including retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy are often aged and have coexisting cardiopulmonary diseases, increasing the risk of perioperative complications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate our perioperative anaesthesiologic regimen over the last five years, in terms of safety and patients comfort. Records of 433 patients who underwent rPE between 1994 and 1999 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided in those who received: 1. general anaesthesia (GA) alone, 2. a combination of lumbar epidural anaesthesia (LEA) + GA or, 3. thoracic epidural anaesthesia (TEA) + GA. General anaesthesia was performed as balanced anaesthesia, and epidural administered local anaesthetics were bupivacaine 0.25% or ropivacaine 0.2%, 8-12 ml/h. In terms of intra- and postoperative numbers of tachycardiac and hypertensive episodes, a reduced stress response was observed under epidural anaesthesia (EA). Moreover, the weaning duration was shorter under EA and onset of gastrointestinal motility was found earlier ([h] GA: 50.6 +/- 11.1/LEA: 39.3 +/- 13.6/TEA: 33.8 +/- 13.0). Furthermore, a trend to rarer phases of postoperative vomiting and a significant decrease of in hospital stay of about one day ([d] GA: 12.4 +/- 5.8/LEA: 11.1 +/- 3.1/TEA: 11.5 +/- 3.8) was observed. The duration of personnel binding in the OR did not differ significantly between GA and TEA ([min] GA: 222.9 +/- 43.5/LEA: 238.2 +/- 41.8/TEA: 227.0 +/- 46.2), but ICU stay was shortened under TEA. Besides this, TEA reduced the number of pathologic postoperative thorax-x-rays. Senso-motor blockades, decreases of SaO2 and cardiac complications were experienced more frequent under LEA as compared with TEA. Combination of GA and EA, especially TEA, appears to improve perioperative care of patients undergoing rPE, in terms of patients safety and comfort.     

Thoracic epidural analgesia improves pulmonary function in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

PURPOSE: Pulmonary dysfunction commonly occurs following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, increasing morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) would improve pulmonary function and would decrease complications in patients undergoing CABG surgery. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted with Ethics Board approval. Fifty patients, undergoing CABG surgery, were randomized to the epidural group or to the patient-controlled analgesia morphine group. Patients in the epidural group received a high, thoracic epidural, preoperatively. Intraoperatively, 0.75% ropivacaine was infused, followed postoperatively, by 0.2% ropivacaine for 48 hr. Outcome measurements included: visual analogue pain scores; spirometry; atelectasis scores on chest radiographs; and the incidence of atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were enrolled in each group. Patients in the epidural group had significantly less pain on the operative day, and for the subsequent two days. Compared to baseline, the forced expiratory volume in one second was significantly higher in the epidural group, on the first and second postoperative days (43.7 +/- 12.2% vs 36.4 +/- 12.0%, p < 0.002, and 43.3 +/- 12.5% vs 38.4 +/- 11.0%, p <0.05). There was significantly more atelectasis in the control group, four hours postoperatively (p < 0.04); however, on the third, postoperative day, the groups were similar with regards to this outcome. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was similar in both groups, and there were no complications related to the epidural. CONCLUSIONS: High TEA decreases postoperative pain and atelectasis and improves pulmonary function in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Our results support the use of TEA in this group of patients.     

Thoracic epidural anesthesia for cardiac surgery: the effects on tracheal intubation time and length of hospital stay.

Improvements in analgesia after major surgery may allow a more rapid recovery and shorter hospital stay. We performed a prospective randomized trial to study the effects of epidural analgesia on the length of hospital stay after coronary artery surgery. The anesthetic technique and postoperative mobilization were altered to facilitate early intensive care discharge and hospital discharge. Fifty patients received high (T1 to T4) thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) with ropivacaine 1% (4-mL bolus, 3-5 mL/h infusion), with fentanyl (100-microg bolus, 15-25 microg/h infusion) and a propofol infusion (6 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)). Another 50 patients (the General Anesthesia group) received fentanyl 15 microg/kg and propofol (5 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)), followed by IV morphine patient-controlled analgesia. The TEA group had lower visual analog scores with coughing postextubation (median, 0 vs 26 mm; P < 0.0001) and were extubated earlier (median hours [interquartile range], 3.2 [2.1-4.6] vs 6.7 [3.3-13.2]; P < 0.0001). More than half of all patients were discharged home on Postoperative Day 4 (24%) or 5 (33%), but there was no difference in the length of stay between the TEA group (median [interquartile range], Day 5 [5-6]) and the General Anesthesia group (median [interquartile range], Day 5 [4-7]). There were no differences in postoperative spirometry or chest radiograph changes or in markers for postoperative myocardial ischemia or infarction. No significant TEA-related complications occurred. In summary, TEA provided better analgesia and allowed earlier tracheal extubation but did not reduce the length of hospital stay after coronary artery surgery. IMPLICATIONS: We found that epidural analgesia was more effective than IV morphine for cardiac surgery. Epidural anesthesia also allowed earlier weaning from mechanical ventilation, but it did not affect hospital discharge time.     

Ropivacaine, 0.1%, Plus Sufentanil, 0.5 μg/ml, versus Bupivacaine, 0.1%, Plus Sufentanil, 0.5 μg/ml, Using Patient-controlled Epidural Analgesia for Labor: A Double-blind Comparison

Background: This study compared the administration of 0.1% ropivacaine and 0.5 [mu]g/ml sufentanil with that of 0.1% bupivacaine and 0.5 [mu]g/ml sufentanil via patient-controlled epidural analgesia route during labor.

Methods: Two hundred healthy pregnant women at term with a single fetus with a vertex fetal presentation were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive either 0.1% ropivacaine and 0.5 [mu]g/ml sufentanil or 0.1% bupivacaine and 0.5 [mu]g/ml sufentanil using a patient-controlled epidural analgesia pump (5-ml bolus dose, 10-min locked-out period, no basal infusion). Pain score on a visual analog scale, Bromage score (0-3), level of sensory block, patient-controlled epidural analgesia ratio, drug use, supplemental boluses, and side effects were recorded at 30 min and then hourly. Mode of delivery, duration of first and second stages of labor, umbilical cord pH, Apgar scores of the newborn, and a measure of maternal satisfaction were recorded after delivery.

Results: No differences were seen between the two groups for pain scores on a visual analog scale during labor, volume of anesthetic solution used, mode of delivery, or side effects. Motor block during the first stage of labor was significantly less in the ropivacaine group than in the bupivacaine group (no motor block in 97.8 of patients vs. 88.3%, respectively;P < 0.01). Duration of the second stage of labor was shorter in the ropivacaine group (1.3 +/- 1.0 vs. 1.5 +/- 1.2 h [mean +/- SD];P < 0.05). Maternal satisfaction was greater in the bupivacaine group (91 +/- 13 mm for contraction, 89 +/- 19 mm for delivery on a visual scale: 0 = not satisfied at all, 100 = fully satisfied) than in the ropivacaine group (84 +/- 21 and 80 +/- 25 mm;P < 0.0001). Patients in the ropivacaine group requested more supplemental boluses to achieve analgesia during the second stage of labor than those in the bupivacaine group (29.7 vs. 19.8%, respectively, requested one or more supplemental boluses;P < 0.05).