Indian Journal of Anaesthesia (Jan 2008)
Comparison of Interpleural and Thoracic Epidural Bupivacaine with Buprenorphine for Post-Thoracotomy Analgesia
Abstract
The study was designed to compare the efficacy of interpleural and thoracic epidural analgesia after thorac-otomy with regard to quality of analgesia and complications. Sixty patients undergoing elective thoracotomy were randomly and equally placed into either interpleural (IP) or thoracic epidural (TE) group. In IP group an interpleural catheter was placed in paravertebral space under direct vision during surgery and received 0.25% bupivacaine 20 ml with buprenorphine 150 mcg. In TE group an epidural catheter was inserted in the T6-7 / T7-8 interspace and received 0.25% bupivacaine 10 ml with buprenorphine 150 mcg. Dosage were repeated in both the groups to keep a VAS score < 40 for 48 hours post-operatively. Spirometry was done preoperatively and 12, 24 and 36 hours post-opera-tively. Vital parameters were monitored for 48 hours. The mean analgesia time was 331.73±94.03 min and 567.33±127.33 min in IP and TE groups respectively. The VAS score was significantly reduced within the first 30 minutes of injection in both the groups. Post injection VAS was significantly better in TE group. Mean time taken for interpleural and epidural catheter placement was 5.0±0.0 min and 33.83±3.39 min respectively. Postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory ratio (FER) were similar in both the groups while peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), maximal expiratory flow (MEF) and F50 were slightly better in TE group. Vital parameters showed similar changes in both the groups. The TE group had more complications. Interpleural analgesia, though of shorter duration, is a safe and effective alternative technique for post-thoracotomy analgesia and has a low complication rate.
