Related Experiment Videos
An extensive experience with postoperative pain relief using postoperative fentanyl infusion
B B Chien1, R G Burke, D J Hunter
1Department of Anesthesiology, Flagstaff Medical Center, AZ 86001.
Archives of Surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|June 1, 1991
Summary
Epidural fentanyl citrate infusion provided safe and effective postoperative pain control for 517 patients undergoing major surgery. Catheter placement significantly impacted pain management success.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pain Management
- Surgical Care
Background:
- Postoperative pain management is crucial for patient recovery.
- Epidural analgesia offers a method for controlling severe pain.
- Fentanyl citrate is a potent opioid used for pain relief.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of epidural fentanyl citrate infusion for postoperative pain control.
- To assess the effectiveness of this method in patients undergoing thoracic and abdominal surgery.
- To identify factors influencing the success of epidural analgesia.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of 517 patients receiving epidural fentanyl citrate infusion (4 µg/mL) post-thoracic and abdominal surgery.
- Pain control was assessed, and need for adjunctive analgesia was recorded.
- Adverse events such as nausea and urinary retention were monitored.
Main Results:
- 65% of patients achieved superior pain control without additional analgesics.
- 28% required low-dose adjunctive analgesics for satisfactory pain relief.
- Only 7% remained uncomfortable; no deaths or respiratory arrests occurred.
- Adverse events included nausea (6%) and urinary retention (0.8%).
Conclusions:
- Epidural fentanyl citrate infusion is a safe and highly effective technique for managing postoperative pain after major surgery.
- Catheter position is a critical factor in achieving optimal pain control.
- This method offers excellent results with a low incidence of serious complications.