Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-s2hrs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-11T09:03:25.060Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Peri-operative thoracic epidural analgesia for thoracotomy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 August 2006

A.-M. Schultz ,
A. Werba ,
S. Ulbing ,
G. Gollmann  and
F. Lehofer
A.-M. Schultz
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesiology and General Intensive Care, University of Vienna, Allgemeines Krankenhaus, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna
A. Werba
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesiology and General Intensive Care, University of Vienna, Allgemeines Krankenhaus, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna
S. Ulbing
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesiology, Krankenhaus des Deutschen Ordens, St. Veiter Straße 12, A-9360 Friesach, Austria
G. Gollmann
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesiology, Krankenhaus des Deutschen Ordens, St. Veiter Straße 12, A-9360 Friesach, Austria
F. Lehofer
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesiology, Krankenhaus des Deutschen Ordens, St. Veiter Straße 12, A-9360 Friesach, Austria
Get access

Abstract

In a prospective study, experiences with peri-operative thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) for thoracic surgery were documented. Two hundred and seven patients scheduled for elective thoracotomy were investigated. All patients received thoracic epidural catheters 2 h pre-operatively. The catheters were inserted between T4–5 and T8–9 intervertebral spaces. Epidural medication with bupivacaine and fentanyl was started pre-operatively, maintained throughout surgery and was continued post-operatively via patient controlled analgesia (PCA) devices. Patients were anaesthetized with propofol and tracheal intubation was performed following neuromuscular blockade with vecuronium. Ninety-five percent of the patients were extubated immediately after surgery. 70.5% of all the patients had excellent post-operative analgesia (VAS pain scoring 0–2) on the day of surgery, 78% the day after surgery and 91% on the second day after surgery. Additionally early post-operative mobilization could be started in 63% of all patients. No neurological sequelae caused by thoracic epidural catheterization was seen in the early post-operative period.

Keywords

thoracic epidural analgesiapost-operative painsurgery thoracic
Type
Original Article
Information
European Journal of Anaesthesiology , Volume 14 , Issue 6 , November 1997 , pp. 600 - 603
Copyright
1997 European Society of Anaesthesiology

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)