Abstract
The pathophysiology that commonly follows surgery results in detrimental physiological effects and may be associated with post-operative mortality and morbidity. The use of post-operative epidural analgesia, but not systemic opioids, may attenuate some of these adverse physiological effects and result in a decrease in patient-related morbidity post-operatively. Randomized trials suggest that the perioperative use of epidural analgesia may facilitate return of gastrointestinal function, attenuate hypercoagulable events and diminish post-operative pulmonary complications. A multimodal approach incorporating the use of epidural analgesia to control perioperative pathophysiology will facilitate the patient's recovery.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 549-563 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Best Practice and Research: Clinical Anaesthesiology |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2002 |
Keywords
- Epidural analgesia
- Post-operative pain
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine