Epidural analgesia is an efficient way to relieve pain after major abdominal surgery. Two different protocols are used to provide analgesia: continuous epidural infusion (CEI) and programmed intermittent boluses (PIEB). CEI consists in the delivery of a continuous administration of the intended hourly dose. PIEB consists in the administration of sequential high pressure boluses of the intended dose. Although some studies in the postoperative setting have observed that PIEB reduces the total dose needed to ensure adequate pain control, the clinical value of this finding is still uncertain. Moreover, nursing and medical interventions to the epidural infusion rates are frequently needed in the first 48 postoperative hours to optimize the provision of analgesia. These interventions add to the already important nursing workload associated with major abdominal surgery, and are correlated with suboptimal analgesia for the patient. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effect of epidural PIEB on the workload as a reflection of adequate analgesia compared to the standard CEI protocol in use. The investigators hypothesize that the use of PIEB decreases the number of interventions needed to obtain adequate analgesia.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
88
Programmed intermittent epidural boluses of bupivacaine 0,1% are administered every hour. Protocolized adjustments of the dose are performed in order to obtain adequate analgesia. Standardized patient-controlled epidural boluses are available as top-ups.
A continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine 0,1% is administered at a prescribed rate. Protocolized adjustments of the dose are performed in order to obtain adequate analgesia. Standardized patient-controlled epidural boluses are available as top-ups.
A morphine infusion (0,1mg/ml) is administered in both groups at a prescribed rate. Protocolized adjustments of the dose are performed in order to obtain adequate analgesia.
CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval
Québec, Canada
Number of epidural infusion adjustments
Number of epidural infusion adjustments by the nursing team (based on the usual protocol of our institution) will be recorded.
Time frame: 48 hours after reaching the discharge criteria from the post-anesthesia care unit (or until the beginning of the epidural weaning period, if started in less than 48 hours)
Quality of analgesia
Pain is measured using the numeric rating scale (NRS : 0-10, 10 being the worst possible pain).
Time frame: 48 hours after reaching the discharge criteria from the post-anesthesia care unit (or until the beginning of the epidural weaning period, if started in less than 48 hours)
Additional analgesia
Prescribed additional analgesia (IV/PO/S/C opioids or other) administered to the patient while epidural analgesia is still provided.
Time frame: 48 hours after reaching the discharge criteria from the post-anesthesia care unit (or until the beginning of the epidural weaning period, if started in less than 48 hours)
Incidence of hypotension
Documented by medical records review (vitals, medication received, temporary interruption of the local anesthetic epidural infusion, IV fluids, etc.).
Time frame: 48 hours after reaching the discharge criteria from the post-anesthesia care unit (or until the beginning of the epidural weaning period, if started in less than 48 hours)
Vasopressor use
The use of vasopressor is documented by review of the medical records.
Time frame: 48 hours after reaching the discharge criteria from the post-anesthesia care unit (or until the beginning of the epidural weaning period, if started in less than 48 hours)
Total epidural dose of local anesthetic administered
Total epidural dose of local anesthetic administered (including additional boluses ordered by the anesthesiologist and PCEA).
Time frame: 48 hours after reaching the discharge criteria from the post-anesthesia care unit (or until the beginning of the epidural weaning period, if started in less than 48 hours)
Total epidural dose of opioid administered
Total epidural dose of opioid administered.
Time frame: 48 hours after reaching the discharge criteria from the post-anesthesia care unit (or until the beginning of the epidural weaning period, if started in less than 48 hours)
Number of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) administered/refused
Number of PCEA administered/refused.
Time frame: 48 hours after reaching the discharge criteria from the post-anesthesia care unit (or until the beginning of the epidural weaning period, if started in less than 48 hours)
ICU length of stay
ICU length of stay
Time frame: From the admission to the ICU until the end of the ICU stay (or until the patient has met ICU discharge criteria).
Time to postoperative mobilization
Time to postoperative mobilization as defined as a patient who can tolerate standing without symptoms that limit the mobilization.
Time frame: 48 hours after reaching the discharge criteria from the post-anesthesia care unit (or until the beginning of the epidural weaning period, if started in less than 48 hours)
Incidence of Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting
Time frame: 48 hours after reaching the discharge criteria from the post-anesthesia care unit (or until the beginning of the epidural weaning period, if started in less than 48 hours)
Incidence of Pruritus
Pruritus
Time frame: 48 hours after reaching the discharge criteria from the post-anesthesia care unit (or until the beginning of the epidural weaning period, if started in less than 48 hours)
Motor blockade
Bromage score is used to monitor motor blockade.
Time frame: 48 hours after reaching the discharge criteria from the post-anesthesia care unit (or until the beginning of the epidural weaning period, if started in less than 48 hours)
Incidence of epidural removal
Incidence of epidural catheter intentionally or unintentionally withdrawn.
Time frame: 48 hours after reaching the discharge criteria from the post-anesthesia care unit (or until the beginning of the epidural weaning period, if started in less than 48 hours)
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