A comparison of postoperative outcomes utilizing a continuous preperitoneal infusion versus epidural for midline laparotomy.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain management with a continuous preperitoneal infusion (CPI) for locoregional anesthesia has been shown to have improved postoperative outcomes. This is the first direct comparison of CPI versus epidural infusion (EPI), both in conjunction with systemic analgesia. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of midline laparotomy cases, comparing the use of CPI with systemic patient-controlled analgesia to EPI with systemic patient-controlled analgesia for postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 240 cases from 2007 to 2009 were reviewed. There were 41.3% using CPI and 58.7% with EPI. There were no differences with respect to age, body mass index, or American Society of Anesthesiologists score between CPI and EPI cases. In a multivariate model, total hospital stay was 2 days shorter for the CPI group (P < .001), and the total admission cost was less for CPI (by $6,164; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of CPI results in decreased length of hospital stay, decreased number of days with a Foley catheter, and lower hospital costs, compared with EPI use. These findings show that the routine use of CPI for pain management after laparotomy is a safe alternative to EPI.