Thoracic epidural analgesia III--prolongation in the early postoperative period by intermittent injections of etidocaine with adrenaline.

In 38 patients who had undergone elective upper abdominal surgery, postoperative analgesia was obtained by thoracic epidual analgesia, prolonged by intermittent injections of 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 ml, respectively, of 1.0% etidocaine with adrenaline 1:200,000. The spread of analgesia after repeated doses is given, as are also the incidences of incomplete analgesia and urinary retention. Signs of tachyphylaxis were noticed. Decreases in the systolic blood pressure were evident, especially after the first injections in the three groups investigated. The falls in blood pressure in the 5 ml group were so pronounced that this part of the study had to be terminated. Accumulation of etidocaine in plasma was noticed in all groups. The clinical implications of the method are discussed.