• K Akashi, M Matsunaga, and K Dan.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Fukuoka University, School of Medicine.
• Masui. 1993 Jul 1;42(7):1038-42.

AbstractThis study was designed to compare the influence of epidural anesthesia with that of general anesthesia on postoperative pain state and management. We studied 16 patients who underwent elective laparotomy-cholecystectomy with epidural anesthesia without general anesthesia or with general anesthesia (nitrous oxide-isoflurane). Following bolus epidural injection with 3 micrograms.kg-1 of buprenorphine in 0.25% bupivacaine 4-7 ml at the end of surgery, all patients received continuous epidural buprenorphine administration at the rate of 12 micrograms.h-1 for 48 hours. Pain relief was assessed for 72 hours after surgery using visual analogue scale. Postoperative rest pain of the epidural group remained at a lower state of pain than that of the general anesthesia group not only for 48 hours (P < 0.005) but also until 72 hours (P < 0.005) after surgery. We concluded that the epidural anesthesia produces a greater postoperative pain relief than general anesthesia.

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