[Initial clinical experiences with the combination of catheter peridural anesthesia and general anesthesia]

From the international point of view, the combination of epidural anaesthesia and general anaesthesia is still under controversial discussion. We analysed 35 cases which were treated by this anaesthesiological method between 1987 and 1988. The catheter epidural anaesthesia showed advantages mainly in the postoperative course. Analgesia was nearly complete. Respiratory depression which is caused by systemically applied opiates was not observed. Sympathicolysis led to a good perfusion of the legs and enabled a quick overcoming postoperative intestinal atonia. During the operation above all the does of drugs with respiratory depressant effect could be diminished. The complications observed mainly included the cardiovascular system and consisted in decreases of arterial blood pressure and heart rate. Side-effects can be reduced to the greatest possible extent by correct application of this procedure.