Complications of epidural infusions for analgesia in postoperative and trauma patients.
Publication/Presentation Date
6-1-1997
Abstract
Few studies compare complications of continuous and bolus epidural analgesia. Ninety-eight postoperative and trauma patients receiving epidural infusions over 15 months were retrospectively studied. Continuous epidural analgesia was used for pain management in 60 patients (61%). Bolus epidural analgesia was administered to 38 patients (39%). Sixty patients reported 98 complications. Sixty-eight per cent of complications occurred in patients receiving continuous infusions. For the continuous infusions, motor blockade (18%), nausea/vomiting, (18%), and catheter leaks (12%) were the most common complications. For bolus infusions, nausea/vomiting (25%), mental status changes (21%), and erythema at placement site (13%) were encountered. Continuous infusions were associated with an increased incidence of complications compared with bolus infusions (P < 0.05). Patients undergoing abdominal surgery had an increased incidence of complications compared with other patients (P < 0.05). Epidural catheters are safe and effective for pain management, but they are not without risk. Hemodynamic stability and pulmonary status should be considered when evaluating patients.
Volume
63
Issue
6
First Page
543
Last Page
546
ISSN
0003-1348
Published In/Presented At
Kurek, S. J., Lagares-Garcia, J., Casella, R., Meenan, D., & Hughes, K. M. (1997). Complications of epidural infusions for analgesia in postoperative and trauma patients. The American surgeon, 63(6), 543–546.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
9168770
Department(s)
Department of Surgery
Document Type
Article