Analgesic Effect and Plasma Concentration of Epidural Versus Intravenous Fentanyl
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2006-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Controversies exist regarding the site of action of Fentanyl after
epidural injection. The objective of this investigation was to compare the analgesic effect
of epidural and intravenous Fentanyl for lower limb orthopedic surgeries.
DESIGN AND SETTING: A randomized and double-blind study was performed in Hospital São Paulo.
METHODS: 29 patients were divided into two groups. During the postoperative period, in the
presence of pain, group 1 (n = 14) patients received 5 mL of a 100 mcg Fentanyl solution in
saline without preservative by the epidural route and 2 mL saline intravenously. Group 2 (n =
15) patients received 5 mL saline by the epidural route and 2 mL (100 mcg) Fentanyl
intravenously. Analgesic supplementation consisted of 40 mg intravenous Tenoxicam and 5 mL
epidural 0.25% bupivacaine (if pain relief was not achieved with Tenoxicam). Pain intensity
was evaluated by numerical scale and plasma concentrations of Fentanyl were measured
simultaneously.