ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To reduce the severity of post procedure pain associated with uterine artery embolization (UAE) for leiomyomata, we used continuous infusion of low concentration ropivacaine through an epidural catheter. METHODS: Thirteen patients for UAE were evaluated. In a patient without indication for epidural anesthesia, the pain was controlled with intermittent morphine infusion. Other patients had post procedure pain managed with 10 ml bolus of 1% lidocaine and continuous infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine at 5 ml x hr-1 for 16 hours. RESULTS: The patient complained of severe pain just after UAE and required epidural lidocaine. Then, we started to infuse lidocaine or ropivacaine just before starting UAE. Among these cases, 9 patients required extra pain control using NSAIDs as a rescue. Only three patients required no medication except epidural analgesia. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine at a rate of 5 ml x hr-1 is not enough for pain management after UAE.
