Abstract

BackgroundThoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) and thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) are commonly used in geriatric patients for pain management after thoracotomy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of TEA and TPVB on postoperative analgesia in geriatric patients who underwent thoracotomy.MethodologyPostoperative analgesia follow-up files of patients over 65 years of age who underwent thoracotomy were analyzed retrospectively. Patient’s demographic data, diagnosis, type of surgery, postoperative 24-hour mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, static/dynamic visual analog scale (VAS) scores, need for additional analgesics, global pain assessment, and side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia, and respiratory depression were examined. The patients were divided into two groups: those treated with TEA (Group 1) and those treated with TPVB (Group 2).ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic data (p > 0.05). MAP in the TEA group was statistically significantly lower than in the second and sixth-hour TPVB group (p = 0.008, p < 0.001). VAS static scores in the TEA group were statistically significantly lower at 30 minutes (p = 0.001), and at one, two, six, twelve, and twenty-four hours compared to the TPVB group (p < 0.001, except at 30 minutes). VAS dynamic scores were statistically significantly lower in the TEA group at 30 minutes, and at one, two, six, twelve, and twenty-four hours compared to the TPVB group (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of nausea, vomiting, hypotension, and bradycardia (p > 0.05). The use of additional analgesics in the TEA group was statistically significantly lower than in the TPVB group (p < 0.001).ConclusionsMore effective postoperative analgesia results with stable hemodynamic conditions were observed in geriatric patients who underwent TEA for thoracotomy compared to TPVB. Regarding side effects, although there was a lower incidence in TPVB, this was not statistically significant when compared to TEA. TEA, as a component of the multimodal analgesia approach, can be accepted as a safe and effective method in the elderly patient group who underwent thoracotomy.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.