ABSTRACT
Experience had with the application of continuous epidural analgesia (CEDA) in the complex treatment of 33 patients with advanced stage of chronic arterial obstruction in the lower extremities is presented. In fourteen of them (42.4 per cent) CEDA is effected using implantable catheterization system "Periplant", and in the remainder 19 (57.6 per cent)--through nonimplantable "Periflex++". The technique of application of the systems is described. The therapeutic effect is estimated on the basis of: 1) quantitative evaluation of pain perception by a 5-point rating system, 2) acral skin thermometry, and 3) Doppler ultrasound tonometry. Changes in the parameters listed are compared with their counterparts in a control group of 33 patients, and subjected to statistical processing. Proceeding from the obtained results the inference is reached that CEDA is very effective in terms of main relief, and improves perfusion of the ischemic limbs. The implantable catheterization systems contribute to the patient's comfort for rather prolonged period of time, and reduce infection hazards in the vicinity of the spinal cord.
