Effect of epidural anaesthesia on intestinal blood flow

The effect of epidural bupivacaine (5 mg/ml) on intestinal blood flow was studied with laser Doppler flowmetry in 15 patients during operations including various types of large bowel resection. In the colon, blood flow increased in 13 out of 15 patients, which was significant at the 1 per cent level. The average increase was 41 per cent. In the ileum an increase was found in eight out of eleven patients who could be studied, which was significant at the 5 per cent level. Bowel function was restored satisfactorily in all patients. It is concluded that epidural bupivacaine has a favourable effect on intestinal blood flow during colorectal surgery.