The aim of the study is to evaluate the safety, the potential beneficial effect of epidural anesthesia on pancreatic perfusion and clinical outcome of patients with severe acute pancreatitis.
High mortality in severe acute pancreatitis (AP) is linked to necrosis of the gland. Animal studies showed that epidural anesthesia (EA) restores pancreatic microcirculation and decreases the severity of AP. The aim of the study is to evaluate the safety of EA, its effect on pancreatic perfusion and clinical outcome of patients with AP.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
35
Epidural will be performed using carbostesin (0.1%), fentanyl (2 microg/ml) administered continuously at a rate of 6 to 15 ml/hour
Fentanyl 10 microg/ml at continuous flow of 10 to 20 microg/hour
University Hospital Geneva
Geneva, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland
Number of patients with adverse events related to epidural anesthesia
Adverse events related to epidural anesthesia include hypotensive episodes or infection of the catheter
Time frame: Participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 2 to 5 weeks
Pancreatic perfusion measured by computerized tomography
Time frame: On day 0 and day 2 or 3 after hospital admission
Clinical outcome
Lenght of stay, admission to intensive care unit, need for surgery
Time frame: Participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 2 to 5 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.