Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Use of Perioperative Epidural Analgesia to Conventional Intravenous Narcotics and NSAIDS for Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Colorectal Resection
Abstract
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCS) has gained wide acceptance in the treatment of various pathology from diverticular disease to colon cancer. In comparison to conventional open surgery LCS has the benefits of shorter hospital stay, reduced postoperative pain, lower wound-related complication rates, better cosmetic results and earlier return to normal activities.
Despite the fact that laparoscopic colorectal surgery is done through smaller incisions, there is still a considerable amount of abdominal wall trauma with these procedures. This still can cause a significant amount of postoperative discomfort, which can add to patients' stress, decreased satisfaction, and prolong length of hospital stay. Postoperative pain can be difficult to control and has been mainly managed pharmacologically with the use of narcotics and non-narcotic medications delivered through different routes. The effectiveness of pain control depends on the medication, its dosage, frequency and route of administration. The latter is mainly achieved through the intravenous route in the immediate postoperative period in laparoscopic colorectal surgery patient, as patients are restricted from having anything by mouth until return of bowel function.
Another route of delivery is the use of local anesthetics as well as opioids via an epidural catheter. Epidural analgesia (EA) has the potential to offer excellent pain control and decrease the rate of postoperative ileus. Despite the extensive use of epidural…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 87 participants or records.
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