ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We compared combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (S group) and epidural anesthesia (E group) in terms of pain control after transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P). METHODS: All 32 patients received 0.2% ropivacaine at a rate of 2 ml x hr(-1) by a portable disposable pump postoperatively. RESULTS: S group was superior to E group in urethral pain control within three hours after operation. E group was superior to S group in decrease of back pain over six hours after operation. Fifteen patients (47%) suffered from irritability or low back pain and needed rescue analgesics. CONCLUSIONS: Our result indicates that 0.2% ropivacaine at a rate of 2 ml x hr(-1) is not satisfactory to relieve the postoperative pain. Long acting local anesthetics for spinal anesthesia are not suitable for TUR-P. Supplemental administration of opioid to epidural space or higher rate of continuous epidural infusor after operation might be better analgesic choice for TUR-P.
