Epidural ropivacaine and sufentanil and the perioperative stress response after a radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Author(s): Hong JY, Yang SC, Yi J, Kil HK

Affiliation(s): Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea.

Publication date & source: 2011-03, Acta Anaesthesiol Scand., 55(3):282-9. Epub 2010 Nov 25.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

BACKGROUND: The effects of an epidural opioid and a local anesthetic on the perioperative stress responses have not been fully investigated in elderly patients undergoing cancer surgery. We hypothesized that the stress response after a radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) would be attenuated by epidural ropivacaine and sufentanil. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blinded study, we included patients above 65 years of age who were scheduled for a RRP. In addition to general anesthesia, they received either epidural saline continuously (5 ml/h) (C group, n=20); 0.3% ropivacaine (R group, n=20); or 0.3% ropivacaine combined with 1 mug/ml sufentanil (RS group; n=20). We determined the concentrations of glucose, insulin, cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and prolactin before, during, and up to 48 h after surgery. RESULTS: The concentrations of glucose and insulin increased in all the groups. The cortisol level increased in the C group while it decreased significantly in the RS group. Epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations increased significantly after surgery in the C group, but not in the R and RS groups. The prolactin concentration increased in all the groups, and was higher in the RS group than in the other groups (P=0.002). Post-operative pain scores and analgesic requirement were lower in the R and RS groups. CONCLUSION: Epidural ropivacaine blunted the perioperative stress responses in elderly patients undergoing a RRP. The combination of epidural ropivacaine and sufentanil was associated with the most pronounced attenuation of the stress response. ClinicalTrial.gov registration number: NCT01086956. (c) 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation (c) 2010 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.