PATIENT-CONTROLLED EPIDURAL ANALGESIA AFTER CESAREAN-SECTION USING MEPERIDINE

Purpose: To determine the effects of the addition of a background infu sion to patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) using meperidine for analgesia after Caesarean section. Methods: in a randomized, doubl e-blind study. we assigned 40 patients having elective Caesarean secti on to receive postoperative analgesia by patient-controlled epidural a nalgesia (PCEA) using meperidine 5 mg.ml(-1) with (group Pl) or withou t (group Po) a background infusion of 10 mg.hr(-1). The PCEA settings (20 mg bolus, 10 min lockout interval, four-hour maximum dose 150 mg) were otherwise identical, We compared pain al rest, pain on coughing, side effects,number of PCEA demands, drug consumption and patient sati sfaction between groups in the first 24 hr after surgery. Results: Tot al consumption of meperidine was greater in group Pi (median 390 mg) t han in group Po (median 240 mg; P = 0.017) and the number of PCEA dema nds was greater in group Po (median 12) than in group Pi (median 7.5; P = 0.012), Analgesia, side effects and patient satisfaction was simil ar between groups. Conclusion: Addition of a background infusion to PC EA using meperidine after Caesarean section has no clinical benefit.