Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology
https://bjan-sba.org/article/doi/10.1590/S0034-70942004000300010
Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology
Clinical Information

Analgesia peridural contínua: análise da eficácia, efeitos adversos e fatores de risco para ocorrência de complicações

Continuous epidural analgesia: analysis of efficacy, side effects and risk factors

Leonardo Teixeira Domingues Duarte; Maria do Carmo C. Barreto Fernandes; Marcelino Jäger Fernandes; Renato Ângelo Saraiva

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Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A analgesia promovida pela infusão peridural de anestésico local com analgésicos opióides é reconhecidamente de boa qualidade e com poucos efeitos adversos. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o número, formas e gravidade das complicações pós-operatórias relacionadas à analgesia peridural e à inserção do cateter peridural. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados, retrospectivamente, 469 pacientes submetidos à analgesia peridural pós-operatória entre 18/10/1999 e 18/10/2001. A analgesia peridural foi conduzida usando-se solução de bupivacaína a 0,1% com fentanil (1 a 5 µg.ml-1), iniciando-se a infusão de 3 ml.h-1. A velocidade de infusão era ajustada de acordo com a queixa álgica do paciente. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: a duração da infusão peridural; a ocorrência de efeitos adversos e complicações, relacionando-os aos dados demográficos, tipo de cirurgia e posição do cateter peridural; e a qualidade da analgesia obtida com a técnica (escala analógico-visual de dor e índice de satisfação do paciente). RESULTADOS: Os cateteres peridurais permaneceram implantados uma média de 2,2 dias, variando de 6 horas a 10 dias, e o índice global de complicações relacionadas à técnica foi de 46,3%, sendo que a maioria foi de pequena magnitude, sem repercussão clínica. Destas, 13,9% estavam relacionadas diretamente ao cateter peridural (desconexão, exteriorização, dor lombar, inflamação e infecção local). Outras complicações mais comumente encontradas foram vômitos e retenção urinária. A analgesia pós-operatória foi efetiva com 97,2% dos pacientes referindo satisfação com a técnica. Pacientes sem dor ou com dor leve, no primeiro, segundo e terceiro dias de pós-operatório, constituíram, respectivamente, 80,1%, 92,8% e 93,3% da população estudada. CONCLUSÕES: A analgesia peridural contínua é efetiva e segura. As complicações ocorridas não foram consideradas graves. Todavia, não se pode dispensar rigorosa vigilância a fim de se obter analgesia satisfatória e diminuir as complicações.

Palavras-chave

ANALGESIA, TÉCNICAS ANESTÉSICAS, TÉCNICAS ANESTÉSICAS

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epidural analgesia with local anesthetics and opioids has a reputation of high efficacy with low incidence of side effects. This study aimed at determining incidence, type and severity of postoperative complications related to epidural analgesia and catheter insertion. METHODS: Participated in this retrospective study 469 patients submitted to postoperative epidural analgesia in the period 10/18/99 to 10/18/01. Epidural analgesia was induced with 0.1% bupivacaine and fentanyl (1 to 5 µg.mL-1), at a 3 mL.h-1 rate. Infusion rate was adjusted according to patients' pain complaint. The following variables were evaluated: epidural infusion duration; incidence of side-effects and complications related to demographics, type of surgery and epidural catheter position; and quality of analgesia by means of a pain visual analog scale and a patients' satisfaction index. RESULTS: Epidural catheters remained in place 2.2 days in average, varying from 6 to 10 days. Global rate of technique-related complications was 46.3%, most of them minor complications without clinical repercussion. From these, 13.9% were directly related to the epidural catheter (disconnection, externalization, low back pain, inflammation and local infection). Other common complications were vomiting and urinary retention. Postoperative analgesia was effective in 97.2% of the patients which referred satisfaction with the technique. Patients without pain or slight pain during the first, second and third postoperative day represented 80.1%, 92.8% and 93.3%, respectively, of the studied population. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous epidural analgesia is effective and safe. Complications were not severe. However, strict vigilance is mandatory to achieve satisfactory analgesia and a low incidence of complications.

Keywords

ANALGESIA, ANESTHETIC TECHNIQUES, ANESTHETIC TECHNIQUES

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