Low vs. high concentration of levobupivacaine for post-operative epidural analgesia: influence of mode of delivery.

Background: Although the use of continuous epidural infusion (CEI) and patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) has become commonplace in pain management, there is still controversy regarding the relative effects of mass, volume and concentration of the local anaesthetic. This prospective study evaluated the influence of two concentrations of levobupivacaine on the quality of analgesia in two modes of delivery after lower abdominal surgery.

Methods: Eighty-two patients were randomly assigned to four groups to receive combined low thoracic epidural analgesia and general anaesthesia followed by post-operative CEI or PCEA using 1.

Comparison of 2 concentrations of levobupivacaine in postoperative patient-controlled epidural analgesia.

Study Objectives: To evaluate the quality of analgesia and the incidence of side effects of 2 different concentrations of levobupivacaine given as an equal milligram-bolus dose (5 mg) via patient-controlled epidural analgesia after abdominal surgery.

Design: Prospective, randomized, blinded study.

Setting: Postanesthesia care unit and surgical wards of a university hospital.

Comparison of different concentrations of levobupivacaine for post-operative epidural analgesia.

Background: The relative effects of the mass, volume and concentration of local anaesthetic solution used for epidural anaesthesia and analgesia are still under debate. Clinical studies have shown discrepancies, probably because of limited consideration of total dose.

Methods: This prospective, randomized and blinded study evaluated the spread, the quality of post-operative analgesia and the incidence of side-effects of continuous thoracic epidural levobupivacaine 15 mg/h in three different concentrations: 1.

Continuous epidural infusion of large concentration/small volume versus small concentration/large volume of levobupivacaine for postoperative analgesia.

Unlabelled: In this randomized study, we evaluated the quality of postoperative analgesia and the incidence of side effects of continuous thoracic epidural levobupivacaine 15 mg/h in 2 different concentrations: 0.5%, 3 mL/h (n = 33) or 0.15%, 10 mL/h (n = 27).

An intervention study to enhance postoperative pain management.

Unlabelled: This study, conducted before and after the implementation of an acute pain service (APS) in a 1000-bed hospital, describes the process of the implementation of an APS. The nursing, anesthesia, and surgery departments were involved. In this study we sought to evaluate the results of a continuous quality improvement program by defining quality indicators and using quality tools.