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

Perioperative epidural analgesia for major abdominal surgery for cancer and recurrence-free survival: randomised trial. BMJ 2011; 342: d1491.

Published: 4th May 2011

Authors: Myles PS, Peyton P, Silbert B, Hunt J, Rigg JRA, Sessler D et al for the ANZCA Trials Group Investigators. et al.

Conclusion

A total of 503 patients at high risk of recurrence were recruited. There was no evidence of a survival advantage from the epidural: recurrence free survival was similar in both groups: hazard ratio 0.95, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.76 to 1.17, P=0.61.

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