Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland
-
The aim of this review was to determine the effects of epidural analgesia as it relates to outcome after colorectal surgery. ⋯ Randomized controlled trials have shown a benefit for epidurals on postoperative pain relief, and ileus, and possibly respiratory complications. There is no proven benefit with regard to length of stay. There are a number of unresolved issues which further focussed RCT's may help clarify such as effects of epidural on complication rates after colorectal surgery.