Ropivacane 0.1 % with or without fentanyl for epidural postoperative analgesia: a randomized, double-blind comparison

Epidural analgesia is often considered optimal postoperative analgesia for certain surgical procedures. Ropivacaine is a new local anesthetic that is less toxic than its homologue, bupivacaine. Epidural infusions usually comprise a local anesthetic, an opioid, or a combination of the two to improve analgesic efficacy and reduce unwanted side effects. All 210 patients undergoing lower abdominal or lower extremity surgery received epidural analgesia infusions at 7 mL/hour, 105 with 0.1% ropivacaine and 105 with 0.1% ropivacaine plus 1 microg/mL fentanyl. Pain score and side effects (hypotension, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, paresthesia, urinary retention and motor block) were measured at 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours. There was no statistical difference in patient profile between the groups. Pain relief scores were similar in the two groups in the first hour after the drugs were given. However, pain relief was significantly better in the ropivacaine/fentanyl group after the first hour and this difference lasted for the remaining time. There was no significant difference in adverse events between the two groups during 24 hours of assessment. In conclusion, the quality of analgesia was significantly improved by the addition of fentanyl 1 microg/mL to ropivacaine.