Abstract
Continuous epidural infusion of local anesthetics with drug infusion ballooncatheter is voutinely employed for postoperative analgesia and pain control in pain clinic. However, the effect is insufficient clinically. We investigated the analgesic levels during continuous epidural infusion of local anesthetics with drug infusion ballooncatheter and compared the changes with and without epinephrine 1/200, 000. The analgesic levels during continuous epidural infusion of 2.0% mepivacaine 2.83±0.41ml/hr, 0.5% bupivacaine 2.90±0.77ml/hr and 2.0% mepivacaine with epinephrine 2.90±0.49ml/hr were 2.73±2.52, 4.83±3.01 and 6.87±1.73 dermatomes respectively. In conclusion, the addition of epinephrine extends the analgesic levels during continuous epidural infusion.
