Epidural Ketamine and Epidural Tramadol for Post-Operative Analgesia: A Comparative Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Epidural Ketamine and Epidural Tramadol areused for post-operative analgesia in various kinds of surgeries.Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the onset, duration andquality of post-operative analgesia by a single injection ofepidural ketamine and epidural tramadol in various types ofsurgeries as well as to study the side-effects caused byepidural tramadol and epidural ketamine respectively.Methods: Patients were divided in two groups using lotterysystem.Groups I Patient were given epidural tramadol (preservativefree) 100 mg. in 10 ml of distilled water.Groups II Patients were given epidural (preservative free)ketamine 30 mg diluted in 10 ml of distilled water. Drug wasgiven via epidural catheter in post- operative period on firstcomplaint of pain by the patient.Results: The mean time of onset of analgesia in group-I wasfound to be 8.90 min, 8.95 min and 8.8 min with 1st, 2nd and 3rddose respectively. In group-II it was 9.45 min 9.55 min and9.15 with 1st, 2nd and 3rd dose respectively. Difference wasstatistically found to be not significant. The mean durationof analgesia increased with every dose of tramadol HCL andketamine HCL in group-I and group-II was observed as 8.75hours, 10.50 hours and 12.40 hours with 1st, 2nd and 3rd doseof tramadol and observed as 4.05 hours, 4.9 hours and 5.75hours with 1st, 2nd and 3rd dose of ketamine respectively.Conclusion: On comparing the data of group-I with group-II, Itwas seen that the analgesic effect of 100 mg. tramadol lastedsignificantly longer than that of 30 mg ketamine.