The effects of epidural analgesia and conventional anaesthesia on renal excretion of PGE2 during orthopaedic surgery.

The effect of standard anaesthesia (G-I) and epidural analgesia (G-II) on urinary synthesis of PGE2 was compared in two groups of 12 patients each undergoing orthopaedic surgery. This study demonstrates a significant elevation of renal PGE2 in patients undergoing standard anaesthesia during surgery. In marked contrast, with epidural analgesia, the inhibition of renal secretion of PGE2 is apparent. These findings strongly suggest the important role of the sympathetic nervous system in the synthesis of PGE2.