Clinical observation of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia used for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing the spinal fusion surgery

Abstract

Objective To observe the efficacy of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) and associated complications following spinal fusion surgery in different age patients, and to evaluate the relationship of PCIA effects with age and gender. Methods One hundred and fifty four patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery in Leshan People's Hospital from June of 2007 to February of 2009 were included in this study. According to the patients' age, they were divided into four groups: <20 years, 20-39 years, 40-59 years and ≥60 years. Each group was further divided two subgroups, according to gender. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of postoperative pain and complications related to use of PCIA and patients's satisfaction with the PCIA were recorded. Results VAS in the four groups significanly decreased after treatment of PCIA. The duration of PCIA treatment was not related to patients' age and genders. There were positive correlations between VAS and age in the female subgroup and in the 40-59 group. 87.7% of all had an excellent or good satisfaction to the PCIA treatment. Conclusion Use of PCIA for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing the spinal fusion surgery is safe and efficacious. Key words: Spinal surgery; Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia; Gender; Age; Complication