Comparative study of postoperative analgesia and sedation after upper abdominal surgery with thoracic epidural administration of bupivacaine with/without midazolam.

Currently continuous epidural administration of local anaesthetics with opioids is widely used for postoperative analgesia. To avoid the side-effects of opioids a drug that can replace opioids is most welcome. Midazolam not only has no side-effects but also has the advantages of sedation and amnesia.