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

Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia versus thoracic epidural analgesia after open liver surgery. A prospective, randomized, controlled, noninferiority trial. Ann Surg 2019; 270: 193-199

Published: 6th January 2020

Authors: Hausken J, Fretland AA, Edwin B, Andersen MH, Dagenborg VJ, Bjørnelv GMW et al.

Conclusion

The study included 143 procedures. Overall, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) was as effective as thoracic epidural in controlling pain. Pain scores were lower in the epidural group on days 0 and 1, but equal or higher on postoperative days 2 and 5. Hospital stay was significantly shorter with PCA: 74 vs 104h, P<0.001.

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