Thoracic epidural for post-thoracic epidural for post-thoracotomy pain: a comparison of three concentrations of sufentanil in bupivacaine
Abstract
Background: Aim of this prospective, double blind, randomized trial was to compare the analgesic and adverse effects of three concentrations, of thoracic epidural sufentanil with bupivacaine in patients undergoing thoracotomy.
Methods: We studied 60 patients who were randomized to receive a 10ml bolus dose of sufentanil 1 g/ml, 2 g/ml and 3 g/ml in bupivacaine 0.125% via thoracic epidural. Postoperatively, pain at rest, on coughing and with ambulation was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and observer verbal ranking score (OVRS) at 2, 6, 12 & 24 hours. At the same time adverse effects were assessed.
Results: There was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics between the three groups. The number of patients with episodes of unsatisfactory pain i.e. VAS scores > 40 and OVRS > 2, at each of the four assessment postoperatively was significantly higher with sufentanil 1 g/ml than with sufentanil 2 g/ml or 3 g/ml (p 3 compared with 1 (5%) and 0 patients in 2 g/ml and 1 g/ml sufentanil groups, respectively (p
Methods: We studied 60 patients who were randomized to receive a 10ml bolus dose of sufentanil 1 g/ml, 2 g/ml and 3 g/ml in bupivacaine 0.125% via thoracic epidural. Postoperatively, pain at rest, on coughing and with ambulation was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and observer verbal ranking score (OVRS) at 2, 6, 12 & 24 hours. At the same time adverse effects were assessed.
Results: There was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics between the three groups. The number of patients with episodes of unsatisfactory pain i.e. VAS scores > 40 and OVRS > 2, at each of the four assessment postoperatively was significantly higher with sufentanil 1 g/ml than with sufentanil 2 g/ml or 3 g/ml (p 3 compared with 1 (5%) and 0 patients in 2 g/ml and 1 g/ml sufentanil groups, respectively (p