DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/1XQZ-9D40

Defense Date

1997

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Health Related Sciences

First Advisor

Charles A. Reese

Abstract

This study compared two methods of postcesarean fentanyl patient- controlled analgesia (PCA). Fentanyl was administered intravenously (PCAI) or epidurally (PCAE) following cesarean section under epidural chloroprocaine anesthesia. Twenty-one ASA I and II parturients were randomly assigned to receive fentanyl PCAI (n = 9) or PCA (n = 12). At surgical completion fentanyl 1.0 mcg/kg was given and the PCA initiated with a dose of 30 mcg, a lockout interval of 10 minutes, a maximum dose of 180 mcg/hr, and no basal rate. Data were collected over 24 hours including visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, plasma fentanyl levels, total fentanyl usage, and side effects.

Surgical time was significantly longer for the PCA, group (p = 0.0213). There was no difference in VAS scores until 24 hours when the PCAE group’s were significantly lower (p = 0.0295). The PCAE group almost always had lower VAS scores. Total fentanyl usage was significantly lower for the PCAE group (p = 0.050). There was no significant difference in plasma fentanyl levels, side effects, or patient satisfaction. The data revealed that both methods provided adequate postoperative analgesia and epidural fentanyl provided both local and systemic mediated analgesia.

Comments

Scanned, with permission from the author, from the original print version, which resides in University Archives.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

11-29-2017

Included in

Other Nursing Commons

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