P145 OPTIMAL PERIOPERATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT IN ESOPHAGEAL SURGERY

Abstract

Abstract Aim To compare paravertebral analgesia with epidural analgesia in thoracolaparoscopic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Background In esophagectomy, thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is standard of care for perioperative pain management. Although TEA is effective, it has unwanted side-effects, such as hypotension, urinary retention and epidural haematoma. Thoracoscopic guided paravertebral analgesia (PVA) is an alternative that is being applied more in thoracic surgery and supposedly has less side-effects. Methods In this feasibility study, TEA was compared with PVA for efficacy in two consecutive series of 25 thoracolaparoscopic Ivor Lewis esophagectomies. In PVA the catheter was placed by the surgeon under direct thoracoscopic vision. TEA consisted of continuous bupivacaine and sufentanil with a patient-controlled bolus function. PVA consisted of continuous bupivacaine and intravenous morphine patient-controlled analgesia. Primary outcome was the highest recorded Numeric pain Rating Scale (NRS) every 8 hours. Secondary outcomes included opioid consumption, vasopressor consumption, fluid administration and length of hospital stay. Results In both groups, the NRS was acceptable (below 5) during the first three postoperative days with no difference in overall pain. Patients with PVA had a higher NRS the first postoperative night (median 4 vs 0, p<0.001). Opioid consumption was significantly lower in patients with PVA. In TEA three catheters failed after successful insertion, in PVA only two. There was no difference in vasopressor consumption, fluid administration and length of hospital stay. Conclusion PVA seems to be a safe and effective alternative for TEA in thoracolaparoscopic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. This hypothesis should be confirmed in a randomized trial.