STUDY DESIGN: A prospective review of @entity1 undergoing epidural catheter placement after anterior spinal fusion and instrumentation for @entity1615 was performed. Data were collected using visual analog @entity158 scores reflecting the @entity1 ' perception of their @entity158 control. OBJECTIVES: To present the authors' technique for epidural catheter placement and dosing protocol, and to demonstrate the results from @entity282 control after anterior spinal instrumented fusion for 10 consecutive @entity1 . SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The literature regarding the benefits of epidural catheters after spinal surgery is contradictory, even with controlled studies comparing epidural catheters with intravenous morphine @entity1 -controlled anesthesia. The authors believe that this lack of consensus stems from varied epidural dosing protocols and techniques in catheter placement, which they have witnessed anecdotally at their own institution. This prompted the authors to develop and refine a standardized dosing and catheter placement protocol for @entity158 control after spinal surgery. METHODS: Epidural catheters were placed intraoperatively before wound closure, then removed on postoperative Day 5. Dosing consisted of @entity3575 (1 microg/kg) and @entity10748 (5 microg/kg) diluted in preservative-free saline (0.2 mL/kg). After surgery, dosing consisted of 0.1% @entity1342 and @entity10748 (10 microg/ml) continuously infused at 0.2 mL/kg/hour. @entity282 control was assessed on each postoperative day using a visual analog @entity158 scale with choices ranging from 0 to 10. RESULTS: The arithmetic mean of the median @entity158 scores after surgery was 2.1. The mean of the maximum @entity158 scores for the 5 days was 4.1. Three @entity1 required an epidural bolus and a 20% increase in the epidural infusion rate. One @entity1 was judged to be excessively sleepy, so the epidural infusion rate was decreased by 20%. Pruritus requiring @entity3933 developed in three @entity1 . No other adverse effects related to epidural analgesia were noted. No catheters were accidentally pulled out or disconnected. CONCLUSION: By following the dosing protocol described, epidural catheters can be used safely and effectively to control @entity282 after anterior instrumentation and spinal fusion for @entity1615 .

XXXX control using epidural catheters after anterior spinal fusion for @entity1615 .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity10748 :: ('MESH:D004091', 'Chemical') :: ['hydromorphone'] @entity3933 :: ('MESH:D004155', 'Chemical') :: ['diphenhydramine'] @entity1615 :: ('OMIM:181800', 'Disease') :: ['adolescent scoliosis'] @entity1342 :: ('MESH:C037663', 'Chemical') :: ['ropivacaine'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain'] @entity282 :: ('MESH:D010149', 'Disease') :: ['postoperative pain', 'Postoperative pain'] @entity3575 :: ('MESH:D005283', 'Chemical') :: ['fentanyl']
@entity282 :: (MESH:D010149,Disease) :: ['Postoperative pain']
