POSTOPERATIVE EPIDURAL ANALGESIA. OUR SIX MONTHS EXPERIENCE OF ACUTE POSTOPERATIVE PAIN UNIT.

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of acute pain, especially in postoperative (DAP), is a

management challenge. A proper coordination between health professionals,

clinical services and managers is needed. For that reason the Acute Pain Units

(APU) are created, which involves the anesthesiologist​ in the patient care once he

is transferred to another service. In this study, we outline the experience in
General Hospital of Segovia during the first year of operation of the APU in the

treatment of DAP through the continuous epidural analgesia.

OBJECTIVES

- To describe the patients who received continuous epidural analgesia

from November 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015.

- To study the characteristics of the target population.

- To study the quality of analgesia achieved, associated symptoms and

complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Descriptive Transversal study of 117 patients with continuous epidural

analgesia for DAP control for scheduled surgery during a period of 6 months.

Continuous epidural infusion of Levo - bupivacaine 0.125 % + 150 ug / ml of

fentanilo and intravenous analgesia of Paracetamol + Metamizol or

Dexketoprofen administered per protocol . We employ a data collection sheet

(Fig 1).

RESULTS

The study shows the following relevant data: 89.9 % are male, ASA II (64.9%),

general surgery (73%); up 86.3% received concomitant analgesia and catheter

removal time was 48 hours in 61.5%. In 25.6% of cases side effects were

present. In the first 24 hours, 45.5% reported mild pain (VAS 1-3), 24.2%

moderate pain (VAS 4-7). 17.1% required rescue analgesia at some point. 26%

reported side effects (8.8% paresthesias).

CONCLUSIONS

Epidural anesthesia is a regional technique that blocks pain in a particular

region of the body. The goal of an epidural anesthesia is to provide pain relief,

therefore is an effective treatment of acute postoperative pain. This technique

reduces some of the adverse effects of the opioids endovenous administration,

while improves surgery outcomes. In our experience, the continuous epidural

analgesia has been proven to be an effective treatment for acute postoperative

pain. Although nonserious side effects appeared in 26 % of the patients, they

were all controlled without further complications. It is necessary a qualified team

with protocols well designed to develop an effective Acute Postoperative Pain

Unit.

Postoperative epidural analgesia. Our six months experience of acute postoperative pain unit