[Effectiveness of low dose PCEA for postoperative pain after laparoscopic gynecological surgeries--a comparison of laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy and myomectomy]

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effectiveness of low-dose patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) in the patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery, and investigated the difference of postoperative pain between patients for laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy and those for myomectomy. METHODS: Thirteen patients (ASA PS 1 or 2), scheduled for laparoscopic surgery, were enrolled in this study. They were divided into two groups of ovarian cystectomy (group C, n=17) and myomectomy (group M, n=13). After administering epidural bolus of 0.2% ropivacaine 6 ml, droperidol 2.5 mg, and buprenorphine hydrochloride 0.1 mg, PCEA was started: 1 ml x hr(-1) background infusion; 0.2% ropivacaine 54 ml, droperidol 5 mg, and buprenorphine hydrochloride 0.3 mg; 1 ml epidural bolus with a 30-minute lockout interval. We evaluated postoperative pain using visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and on movement, adverse effects such as respiratory and cardiovascular depression, nausea and vomiting for 48 hours after surgery. RESULTS: VAS at rest with group M was significantly higher than that of group C (11 +/- 2 vs. 6 +/- 2, P=0.048), and VAS on movement of group M was also higher than that of group C (25 +/- 3 vs. 18 +/- 2, P=0.023): however, we found good analgesic effect of less than VAS 3 in both groups. Severe adverse effects were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that low dose PCEA is effective for patients who undergo laparoscopic gynecological surgery.