Epidural blockade during liver transplantation

Abstract

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of epidural analgesia as a component of pain relief on orthotopic liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation were examined. Epidural and opioid analgesics were used as a component of pain relief in groups 1 (n=24) and 2 (n=21), respectively. The following parameters were evaluated: intensity of postoperative pain, time of patient activation, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, time of onset of enteral nutrition, restoration of bowel function, incidence of postoperative acute respiratory failure, need for opioid analgesics, and length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). RESULTS: Pain intensity and total postoperative need for tramadol and promedol were significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2. During the postoperative period, group 1 showed a decrease in postoperative nausea and vomiting, incidence of postoperative respiratory failure, and time spent in the ICU. No complications with the insertion and removal of the epidural catheter were observed. CONCLUSION: The use of epidural blockade for liver transplantation significantly reduces the severity of pain syndrome, accelerates the recovery of bowel function, and shortens the length of ICU stay. The use of EA reduces the risk of PONV during the use of opioid analgesics and causes an early start of enteral nutrition. Therefore, epidural analgesics can be used as a component of pain relief in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation.