The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, side effects and the required amount of local anesthetic-opioid combination of patient controlled and continuous epidural analgesias, and to compare the effects of these two modalities on postoperative patient care. Thirty patients with ASA I-II physical status undergoing lower abdominal surgery were randomly divided into two groups, similar in age, sex and weight. The effects of epidurally administered bupivacaine and fentanyl combination were compared in patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) and continuous epidural infusion (CEI). Pain scores with VAS and VRS, the occurence of motor blocks, sensorial block areas and the side effects of the drugs were assessed for all patients. Effective analgesia was maintained in both groups. There were no motor block and sensorial block area in the PCEA group, and the amount of drugs used in this group was significantly lower than the CEI group. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding side effects. Although we have observed effective postoperative analgesia in both groups, we think that PCEA has the advantages of lower drug consumption and a lower incidence of side effects since it reflects and is guided by personal analgesic demands.
Keywords: Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia (PCEA), Continuous Epidural Infusion, Postoperative Analgesia.