RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of combined epidural analgesia with total intravenous anaesthesia and only total intravenous anaesthesia on the different clinical parameters. METHODS: Sixty high risk patients undergoing a major abdominal surgical procedure were included in this prospective, double blind, randomized study. Induction of anaesthesia was performed with IV remifentanil 0.5µg/kg and propofol titrated to achieve bispectral index score between 40 and 50. after intubation; in Group E, 0.1% bupivacaine and 2 µg/mL fentanyl were administered by an infusion rate at 0.15 ml/kg/h via the epidural catheter and Group C received epidural normal saline as same infusion rate. RESULTS: In group E, intraoperative MAP values were significantly lower than those in group C (p<0.05). Time of extubation, time of eye opening with audible warning and time of verbal response was significantly lower in group E than those in group C. Total anaesthetic drug consumption was significantly higher in group C than those in group E (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on lower requirements for propofol and remifentanil as well as the favourable effects on clinical parameters; we conclude that bispectral index score guided combined epidural with total intravenous anaesthesia is superior to solely total intravenous anaesthesia in this type of surgery.