Bacterial filters in anesthesia: results of 9 years of surveillance.

In 9 years of surveillance of postoperative lower respiratory infections, the infection rate in patients following regional anesthesia was 0.2% and 0.1% in patients following general anesthesia.

Thoracic epidural bupivacaine plus sufentanil: high concentration/low volume versus low concentration/high volume.

Background And Objectives: To compare the postoperative analgesic and side effects of a continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine with sufentanil: high concentration/low volume versus low concentration/high volume.

Methods: In a prospective study, 30 patients scheduled for thoracic surgery had a thoracic epidural catheter inserted. Postoperative analgesia was provided by a continuous epidural infusion for 3 days.