The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Epidural anaesthesia and analgesia and outcome of major surgery: a randomized trial. Lancet 2002; 359: 1276-82.

Published: 1st January 2002

Authors: Rigg JRA, Jamrozik K, Myles PS, Silbert BS, Peyton PJ, Parsons RW et al for the MASTER Anaesthesia Trial Study Group. et al.

Conclusion

Some 915 high risk patients were studied. Use of an epidural reduced postoperative pain scores for the first three days and reduced the rate of respiratory failure, however, overall mortality in both groups was similar.

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