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Use of intercostal bupivacaine with epinephrine after surgery to decrease use of narcotics and duration of intubation
William J Fox1, Thomas A Hughes
1Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, Ind, USA.
Background:
Postoperative pain plays a significant part in the recovery of patients after open heart surgery.
Objective:
To determine if the use of intercostal bupivacaine with epinephrine is associated with decreases in use of narcotics and intubation times after open heart surgery.
Methods:
A randomly selected experimental group of 25 patients received injections of bupivacaine with epinephrine in the intercostal tissues before chest closure in open heart surgery. A control group of 22 patients received no bupivacaine, only standard care. Postoperative use of narcotics and intubation times were determined for both groups.
Results:
Compared with the control group, the group given bupivacaine with epinephrine used significantly less narcotics (P=.008) and had significantly shorter intubation times (P=.003).
Conclusion:
Injection of intercostal bupivacaine with epinephrine before chest closure in open heart surgery decreases use of narcotics and length of intubation postoperatively, thus speeding up recovery times.