![conference banner](/images/conference-banner.jpeg)
Abstract
Epidural analgesia is widely used for postoperative pain in a variety of surgical operations and it is recognised to provide superior quality of analgesia when compared with systemic opioids. The combination of low doses of local anaesthetics and opioids appears to provide optimal analgesia with minimal motor blockade. However, side effects have been reported with epidural analgesia such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), respiratory depression and arterial hypotension. Although the incidence of these side effects is lower than those reported with the use of systemic opioids, they can contribute to a delay in discharging patients from PACU. Epidural analgesia is also associated with perioperative hypothermia. The incidence of cognitive dysfunction is not decreased by using postoperative epidural analgesia. Assessment of the quality of analgesia by using pain visual analogue score (VAS) at rest and with movements or on coughing remains the most preferred in PACU, although there are limitations with this measurement. Epidural failure due to technical failure or malposition of the catheter represents potential problems having direct consequence on the quality of analgesia provided. All epidural catheters have to be checked and the quality of analgesia assessed before patients are discharging from PACU to the surgical wards. With advances in pain pharmacology, multimodal interventions and adjuvants can be used safely with the intent of providing better analgesia and decreasing the side effects associated with one technique.
Keywords: epidural analgesia, postoperative pain, post anesthesia care unit
Current Drug Targets
Title: Epidural Analgesia in the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit
Volume: 6 Issue: 7
Author(s): F. Donatelli, D. Tran, G. Mistraletti and F. Carli
Affiliation:
Keywords: epidural analgesia, postoperative pain, post anesthesia care unit
Abstract: Epidural analgesia is widely used for postoperative pain in a variety of surgical operations and it is recognised to provide superior quality of analgesia when compared with systemic opioids. The combination of low doses of local anaesthetics and opioids appears to provide optimal analgesia with minimal motor blockade. However, side effects have been reported with epidural analgesia such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), respiratory depression and arterial hypotension. Although the incidence of these side effects is lower than those reported with the use of systemic opioids, they can contribute to a delay in discharging patients from PACU. Epidural analgesia is also associated with perioperative hypothermia. The incidence of cognitive dysfunction is not decreased by using postoperative epidural analgesia. Assessment of the quality of analgesia by using pain visual analogue score (VAS) at rest and with movements or on coughing remains the most preferred in PACU, although there are limitations with this measurement. Epidural failure due to technical failure or malposition of the catheter represents potential problems having direct consequence on the quality of analgesia provided. All epidural catheters have to be checked and the quality of analgesia assessed before patients are discharging from PACU to the surgical wards. With advances in pain pharmacology, multimodal interventions and adjuvants can be used safely with the intent of providing better analgesia and decreasing the side effects associated with one technique.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Donatelli F., Tran D., Mistraletti G. and Carli F., Epidural Analgesia in the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit, Current Drug Targets 2005; 6 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945005774574452
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945005774574452 |
Print ISSN 1389-4501 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5592 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Drug-Targeted Approach with Polymer Nanocomposites for Improved Therapeutics
Polymer nanocomposites have been recognized as an advanced and cutting-edge technique in drug targeting administration. These materials combine the unique features of nanoparticles with the adaptability of polymers to produce highly personalized drug administration devices. Integrating nanoparticles containing pharmaceuticals into a polymer matrix enables researchers to regulate the rates at ...read more
RNA Molecules in the Treatment of Human Diseases
Messenger and non-coding RNAs, including long and small transcripts, are mediators of gene expression. Gene expression at the RNA level shows significant aberrations in human diseases, including cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. Human transcripts serve either as biomarkers of diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of treatment response, and/or therapy ...read more
Therapeutic Chemical and RNA Design with Artificial Intelligence
Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) has emerged as a fundamental component of modern drug discovery. Molecular docking facilitates virtual screening on a large scale through structural simulations. However, traditional CADD approaches face significant limitations, as they can only screen known compounds from existing libraries. PubChem, as the most widely used chemical ...read more
![Wayfinder Image](/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Neuroprotection and Hypothermia in Infants and Children
Current Drug Targets Antioxidant Activity and Chemical Components as Potential Anticancer Agents in the Olive Leaf (Olea europaea L. cv Leccino.) Decoction
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Patients with Renal Insufficiency
Current Cardiology Reviews Analysis of Current Antifungal Agents and Their Targets within the Pneumocystis carinii Genome
Current Drug Targets Effect of Piperine, Quercetin, Polysorbate 80 on the Oral Bioavailability of Losartan in Male Wistar Rats
Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology An Agathokakological Tale of Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC: Exploration of Possible Biological Targets
Current Drug Targets Targeting Microglial Activation in Stroke Therapy: Pharmacological Tools and Gender Effects
Current Medicinal Chemistry Pulmonary Hypertension: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, Treatment,and Dana Point World Symposium Highlights
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Pharmacological Modulation of Nitric Oxide Release: New Pharmacological Perspectives, Potential Benefits and Risks
Current Medicinal Chemistry De novo Designed Lipopolysaccharide Binding Peptides: Structure Based Development of Antiendotoxic and Antimicrobial Drugs
Current Medicinal Chemistry Heat Shock Protein Inhibitors for the Treatment of Fungal Infections
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Non-Analgesic Effects of Opioids: Neuroprotection in the Retina
Current Pharmaceutical Design Sodium Benzenesulfinates: Novel and Effective Organo Catalyst for Three Component Synthesis 5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-4H-chromene Derivatives Under Ultrasound Irradiation
Letters in Organic Chemistry Diet and Heart Health: Moderate Wine Drinking Strengthens the Cardioprotective Effects of Fish Consumption
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Third Generation Radiopharmaceuticals for Imaging and Targeted Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis Malformations of the Female Genital Tract and Embryological Bases
Current Women`s Health Reviews Molecular Targeted Therapy in Melanoma: A Way to Reverse Resistance to Conventional Drugs
Current Drug Delivery Biochemical Markers in the Prediction of Contrast-induced Acute Kidney Injury
Current Medicinal Chemistry Dopamine Administration in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants:Emerging Issues on Endocrine Effects
Current Pediatric Reviews Geriatric Depression - Review for Primary Care
Current Psychiatry Reviews