The application of continuous thoracic epidural anaesthesia in outpatient oncological and reconstructive surgery of the breast.

The use of continuous thoracic epidural anaesthesia allows several oncological and reconstructive operations of the breast to be performed on an outpatient basis. The method is easy and safe in the hands of an experienced anaesthetist, and the recovery is immediate. The potential side effects (transient haemodynamic changes) may result from the sympathetic blockade and can be easily controlled during the operation. The method is not advocated in cases in which substantial blood loss is anticipated.