Impact of Preoperative Epidural Analgesia on Postoperative Pain and Opioid Use in Major Abdominal Surgery

Abstract

Abstract: Preoperative epidural analgesia has been increasingly used in major abdominal surgeries to improve postoperative pain control and reduce opioid consumption. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of preoperative epidural analgesia in managing pain and its impact on opioid requirements in the immediate postoperative period. We conducted a prospective, randomized controlled trial involving patients scheduled for major abdominal surgery, comparing those who received preoperative epidural analgesia with those who did not. Our results demonstrate that patients receiving epidural analgesia had significantly lower pain scores, reduced opioid consumption, and a faster recovery trajectory compared to the control group. Furthermore, these patients experienced fewer opioid-related side effects, including nausea and sedation. These findings highlight the benefits of incorporating preoperative epidural analgesia into multimodal pain management strategies for major surgeries, offering potential for enhanced recovery and reduced opioid dependence.