The efficacy of elastomeric patient-control module when connected to a balloon pump for postoperative epidural analgesia: A randomized, noninferiority trial

• Published in: Medicine (Baltimore) 2017-01, Vol.96 (2), p.e5828-e5828
• Main Authors: Kim, Myung Hwa, Shim, Yon Hee, Kim, Min-Soo, Shin, Yang-Sik, Lee, Hyun Joo, Lee, Jeong Soo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amides - administration & dosage; Analgesia, Epidural - methods; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled - methods; Analgesics, Opioid - administration & dosage; Anesthetics, Local - administration & dosage; Clinical Trial/Experimental Study; Female; Fentanyl - administration & dosage; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pain, Postoperative - drug therapy; Ropivacaine; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0025-7974; 1536-5964
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000005828

When considering the principles of a pain control strategy by patients, reliable administration of additional bolus doses is important for providing the adequate analgesia and improving patient satisfaction. We compared the efficacy of elastomeric patient-control module (PCM) with conventional PCM providing epidural analgesia postoperatively.A noninferiority comparison was used. Eighty-six patients scheduled for open upper abdominal surgery were randomized to use either an elastomeric or conventional PCM connected to balloon pump. After successful epidural catheter insertion at T6-8 level, fentanyl (15-20 μg/kg) in 0.3% ropivacaine 100 mL was administered at basal rate 2 mL/h with bolus 2 mL and lock-out time 15 minutes. The primary outcome was the verbal numerical rating score for pain.The 95% confidence intervals for differences in pain scores during the first 48 hours postoperatively were