Abstract
Introduction: Quality of Life (QoL) may be reduced by postoperative pain and improving analgesic techniques, including local and regional techniques, may impact on this important healthcare measurement. This study focused on the QoL issues surrounding thoracic epidural analgesia used in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: A review of the published literature (English language, electronic search) was undertaken using the terms: quality of life, analgesia, epidural, thoracic epidural, regional anesthesia, gastrointestinal surgery, colon and rectal surgery, abdominal surgery, major surgery, complications, pain scores. There were no exclusions and all relevant literature was included in the breadth of discussion. Results: Epidural analgesia may improve pain, sedation scores, pulmonary function, tissue oxygenation, and QoL but there may be little impact on overall patient morbidity and mortality. The relative paucity of data and diminutive power of many clinical studies represent a challenge to establishing superiority or equivalence of epidurals over patient-controlled opiate analgesia but emerging evidence suggests an improved QoL, perhaps through less sedation and faster recovery of gastrointestinal function. Conclusions: The benefits of postoperative thoracic epidural analgesia include better analgesia and overall well-being in addition to the intuitive advantages of less sedation and improved pulmonary function following gastrointestinal surgery.
Keywords: laparoscopic segmental colectomy, protein catabolism, analgesia, Quality Of Life (QoL)
Current Drug Therapy
Title: Postoperative Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia in Gastrointestinal Surgery: Outcomes, Quality of Life, and Current Controversies
Volume: 2 Issue: 1
Author(s): Desmond C. Winter, Eric J. Dozois and John H. Pemberton
Affiliation:
Keywords: laparoscopic segmental colectomy, protein catabolism, analgesia, Quality Of Life (QoL)
Abstract: Introduction: Quality of Life (QoL) may be reduced by postoperative pain and improving analgesic techniques, including local and regional techniques, may impact on this important healthcare measurement. This study focused on the QoL issues surrounding thoracic epidural analgesia used in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: A review of the published literature (English language, electronic search) was undertaken using the terms: quality of life, analgesia, epidural, thoracic epidural, regional anesthesia, gastrointestinal surgery, colon and rectal surgery, abdominal surgery, major surgery, complications, pain scores. There were no exclusions and all relevant literature was included in the breadth of discussion. Results: Epidural analgesia may improve pain, sedation scores, pulmonary function, tissue oxygenation, and QoL but there may be little impact on overall patient morbidity and mortality. The relative paucity of data and diminutive power of many clinical studies represent a challenge to establishing superiority or equivalence of epidurals over patient-controlled opiate analgesia but emerging evidence suggests an improved QoL, perhaps through less sedation and faster recovery of gastrointestinal function. Conclusions: The benefits of postoperative thoracic epidural analgesia include better analgesia and overall well-being in addition to the intuitive advantages of less sedation and improved pulmonary function following gastrointestinal surgery.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Winter C. Desmond, Dozois J. Eric and Pemberton H. John, Postoperative Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia in Gastrointestinal Surgery: Outcomes, Quality of Life, and Current Controversies, Current Drug Therapy 2007; 2 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488507779422383
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488507779422383 |
Print ISSN 1574-8855 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3903 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Novel Therapeutic Approaches and Biomarkers for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
The thematic issue on "Novel Therapeutic Approaches and Biomarkers for CKD" aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of cutting-edge strategies for the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This issue will delve into emerging therapeutic targets, focusing on critical aspects such as podocyte injury, endothelial dysfunction, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, which ...read more
- 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
-
Cardiovascular Disease in the Systemic Vasculitides
Current Vascular Pharmacology Cardiac Remodeling Induced by Smoking: Concepts, Relevance, and Potential Mechanisms
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Regenerative Potential of Stem Cells Derived from Human Exfoliated Deciduous (SHED) Teeth during Engineering of Human Body Tissues
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy The Role of P2Y<sub>12</sub> Receptor and Activated Platelets During Inflammation
Current Drug Targets New Insights in Research About Acute Ischemic Myocardial Injury and Inflammation
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Stem Cells in Cardiovascular Regeneration: From Preservation of Endogenous Repair to Future Cardiovascular Therapies
Current Pharmaceutical Design Is there Evidence to Support the Use of Direct Factor Xa Inhibitors in Coronary Artery Disease?
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials SARS-CoV-2 Induced Neurological Manifestations Entangles Cytokine Storm that Implicates for Therapeutic Strategies
Current Medicinal Chemistry Aging and Remodeling During Healing of the Wounded Heart: Current Therapies and Novel Drug Targets
Current Drug Targets Structure and Function of Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase-1: Role in Oxidative Stress-Related Pathologies
Current Vascular Pharmacology Editorial (Thematic Issue: Mechanistic Biomarkers: The Field for the Development of Non-Pharmaceutical and Pharmaceutical Approaches to Diagnostics, Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases)
Current Pharmaceutical Design Regulation of Hemostasis by Singlet-Oxygen (1ΔO2*)
Current Vascular Pharmacology Metabolic Syndrome X is a Low-Grade Systemic Inflammatory Condition with its Origins in the Perinatal Period
Current Nutrition & Food Science AMPK - Activated Protein Kinase and its Role in Energy Metabolism of the Heart
Current Cardiology Reviews Effects of PPARγ Ligands on Vascular Tone
Current Molecular Pharmacology Tumor Dormancy and the Angiogenic Switch: Possible Implications of Bone Marrow- Derived Cells
Current Pharmaceutical Design TEM8 Targeted Cancer Therapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Renal Nerve Ablation for Hypertensive Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Current Vascular Pharmacology The Role of the RhoA/rho-kinase Pathway in Pulmonary Hypertension
Current Drug Discovery Technologies Anti-Atherothrombogenic Properties of PEDF
Current Molecular Medicine