Comparison of analgesic activity of the addition to neostigmine and fentanyl to bupivacaine in postoperative epidural analgesia

Objectives: To compare the analgesic and side effects of bupivacaine in combinations with neostigmine and fentanyl using patient-controlled-epidural analgesia (PCEA) methods in the postoperative period after abdominal hysterectomy. Methods: Seventy-five adult American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II patients, aged 18-65 years were included in the study. The study took place in Celal Bayar University Hospital, Turkey between 20032004 years. After preoperative epidural catheterization, the patients were operated under general anesthesia. After surgery, the patients were randomly allocated in a double-blinded manner to receive PCEA and divided into 3 groups: Group B: 0.125% bupivacaine, Group N: 0.125% bupivacaine plus neostigmine 4 mu g kg(-1) and Group F: 0.125% bupivacaine plus 1 mu g kg(-1) fentanyl solutions (10 mL loading dose, 5 mL bolus dose, 10 min lockout time, 30 mL in 4 hour limit). During the following 24 hours, hemodynamic parameters, pain score using visual analog scale, total analgesic consumption, additional analgesic requirements, sedation, satisfaction, nausea scores and probable side-effects were evaluated. Results: Total analgesic consumption was 143.7 +/- 7.2 mL in Group B, 123.4 +/- 6.2 mL in Group N and 106 +/- 8.3 mL in Groups F. The mean value in Group F was significantly lower than Group N and Group B (p < 0.05), and was lower in Group N than Group B. Visual analog scale scores were lower in Group F than other groups (p < 0.05). There were no differences in side effects between all groups. Conclusions: Fentanyl and neostigmine by the PCEA method can be used safely for postoperative analgesia after gynecologic surgery. They increase analgesia quality and satisfaction without an increase in side effects.