Comparison of effects of Sufentanil plus Ropivacaine on postoperative epidural analgesia

Objective: To study the clinical effect and safety of Sufentanil combined with Ropivacaine in postoperative patients with epidural analgesia(EA). Methods: 60 patients(ages ranged between 56±12.3), ASA I-II, undergoing selective upper abdominal surgery under general anesthesia, were randomly divided into four groups. Ropivacaine 0.125% was used in group I, ropivacaine 0.125% plus sufentanil 0.25ug/ml in group II, ropivacaine 0.125% plus sufentanil 0.5ug/ml in group III and ropivacaine 0.125% plus sufentanil 0.75ug/ml in group IV. Postoperative analgesic effects,PEA pump usage, drug consumption and side effects,and visual analogue scales(VAS) were observed at 3,6,12 and 24 hr. Results: VAS and drug consumption in group III and IV within 24 hr were significantly lower than those in group I and II when patients were in the state of rest or coughing, respectively(P0.05); Pruritus incidence in the four groups was 0%,27.2%,54.5% and 63.6% in proper order,and there was significant difference between the four groups(P0.05). All the patients had no severe complications(such as respiratory depression). Conclusion: In this study, Sufentanil 0.5ug/ml with Ropivacaine 0.125% could be safe in PEA after UAS, which had the best analgesic effect in the four, with less side effects.