J Korean Pain Soc.  1996 Nov;9(2):368-373.

Comparison of Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia Alone and Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia with Continuous Infusion

• Kim DH
• Lee TS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is any advantage for a continuous background infusion during patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) for postoperative pain control.
METHODS
60 patients scheduled for elective cesarean section under epidural anesthesia were assigned randomly in a double-blind fashion to receive fentanyl and bupivacaine by PCEA with or without background infusion for 48 hours postoperatively.
RESULTS
Total amount of fentanyl and bupivacaine consumption and degree of sedation were not significantly different between the two groups. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at 24, 36, and 48h and sleep disturbance were significantly lower in background infusion group.
CONCLUSIONS
Administration of fentanyl with bupivacaine by continuous background infusion is appropriate for PCEA for postcesarean section pain control.

Keyword

Analgesia: patient-controlled; postoperative; Analgesics, epidural: fentanyl; bupivacaine

MeSH Terms

Analgesia, Epidural*
Anesthesia, Epidural
Bupivacaine
Cesarean Section
Female
Fentanyl
Humans
Pain, Postoperative
Pregnancy
Bupivacaine
Fentanyl