Comparison of patient-controlled epidural and intravenous analgesia methods for postoperative pain control in patients after hip surgery


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TOPALOĞLU S., EROĞLU M., ÇEKİÇ B., EROĞLU A.

MedCrave Group Kft., vol.15, no.4, pp.114-118, 2023 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

Abstract

Abstract

Objective: Patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty surgery are usually older and have 

limited cardiac and pulmonary reserves. Effective postoperative pain control with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) may contribute to recovery in these patients. In this study, we 

aimed to compare the effectiveness of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) and 

patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) for pain control after hip arthroplasty.

Methods: Our study was carried out in the orthopedic operating room of our hospital on 

50 patients undergoing elective hip arthroplasty. At the end of the operation, the patients 

(n=50) were randomly divided into two groups: Group epidural (Group E) and Group 

intravenous (Group IV)] using a double-blind selection method, and PCA protocol was 

started. During the determined follow-up periods, the patients were evaluated regarding 

hemodynamic data, pain and sedation levels, and possible side effects.

Results: In our study, no difference was observed between demographic data, heart rate, 

respiratory rate and mean blood pressure values   in comparisons between two groups. In 

Group IV compared to Group E, visual analog scale (VAS) values   (P<0.001), additional 

analgesic consumption (P<0.05) and undesirable effects such as nausea-vomiting and 

sedation (P<0.05) which were observed in postoperative pain follow-up were statistically 

significantly higher.

Conclusion: Our study concluded that for postoperative pain management, the PCEA 

method has better analgesic performance, improves pain control and reduces the occurrence 

of side effects in hip arthroplasty compared to the PCIA method