Combined vs. Isoflurane/Fentanyl anesthesia for major abdominal surgery: Effects on hormones and hemodynamics.

Background: Combination of epidural and general anesthesia (combined anesthesia) avoids the intraoperative use of intravenous analgesics and may reduce the surgical stress response during major abdominal surgery. This study examines the differences in intraoperative hemodynamic stability, cortisol levels and activity of cardiovascular hormones between combined anesthesia and isoflurane/fentanyl anesthesia.

Material/methods: Sixty ASA I-II patients were prospectively randomized to receive either combined anesthesia, i.