Korean J Pain.  2006 Dec;19(2):192-196. 10.3344/kjp.2006.19.2.192.

Postoperative Pain Control with Epidural Meperidine Infusion

• Lim TH
• Choi KT

• KMID: 2073928
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2006.19.2.192

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Epidural opioids are commonly used for postoperative analgesia. However, the side effects of epidural opioids include respiratory depression, sedation, pruritus, nausea, vomiting and urinary retention. Meperidine, due to its intermediate lipid solubility and local anesthetic properties, permits postoperative analgesia. The aim of this study was to compare meperidine alone to meperidine coupled with bupivacaine, and to determine the effects of epidural meperidine without bupivacaine, when used for epidural analgesia following hepatectomy abdominal surgery. METHODS: Patients received thoracic epidural analgesia with meperidine alone (3.5 mg/ml in saline) or with additional bupivacaine (0.15%) for 2 days after surgery. Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) pain score 2 days after the operation, with the incidence and dose supplementation also evaluated. Postoperative side effects were assessed using a 3 grade system. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of age and weight, or in the pain scores, side effects, incidence and dose supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: 3.5 mg/ml epidural meperidine at a dose of 2 ml/hr provides effective postoperative analgesia.

Keyword

analgesia; meperidine; postoperative; thoracic epidural

MeSH Terms

Analgesia
Analgesia, Epidural
Analgesics, Opioid
Bupivacaine
Hepatectomy
Humans
Incidence
Meperidine*
Nausea
Pain, Postoperative*
Pruritus
Respiratory Insufficiency
Solubility
Urinary Retention
Visual Analog Scale
Vomiting
Analgesics, Opioid
Bupivacaine
Meperidine