| Comparison of a 0.1% Bupivacaine/Morphine and 0.1% Ropivacaine/Morphine Infusion for Postoperative Epidural Analgesia after a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy. |
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Il Hwan Lim, Chul Jun Mun, Jong Suk Ban, Byung Woo Min |
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Department of Anesthesiology, Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea. savelife@be.MD |
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| Abstract |
BACKGROUND
Local anesthetics combined with an opioid are frequently used as a postoperative epidural analgesia, to minimize individual doses and to reduce unwanted side effects. The aims of this study were to compare analgesic effectiveness, occurrence of motor block and other side effects of a 48 hr postoperative continuous epidural infusion of 0.1% bupivacaine/morphine or 0.1% ropivacaine/ morphine.
METHODS
Forty female patients scheduled for an elective total abdominal hysterectomy under general anesthesia were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive either 0.1% bupivacaine with 0.02 mg/ml morphine or 0.1% ropivacaine with 0.02 mg/ml morphine using a continuous epidural analgesia pump at a rate of 4 ml/hr during the postoperative 48 hours. After the operation, we assessed the blood pressure, heart rate, visual analog scale (VAS), side effects, additional analgesic requirement and time to ambulation for 48 hours in 12-hour intervals.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in VAS on rest and cough between the groups, but VAS on deep breathing and position change were significantly lower in the bupivacaine group compared to the ropivacaine group. Side effects were similar in both groups except paresthesia. Time to ambulation was earlier in the ropivacaine group compared to the bupivacaine group.
CONCLUSIONS
Both the postoperative continuous epidural infusion of 0.1% bupivacaine with morphine and 0.1% ropivacaine with morphine provided similar pain relief and side effects. However, earlier recovery of ambulation in patients receiving ropivacaine/morphine will improve outcome after abdominal surgery. |
| Key Words:
Bupivacaine; epidural; morphine; postoperative; ropivacaine |
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