Postoperative Patient-Controlled Analgesia: A Single Center Experience

Abstract Aim:The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate demographic characteristics, pain conditions, analgesic agents used, and side effects in patients who received postoperative patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Materials and Methods: Patients who received postoperative analgesia with PCA for approximately 20-month period in our hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic information, clinical features and follow-up evaluation findings (pain, sedation, sleeplessness, nausea, vomiting, itching), which were obtained in approximately eight-hour intervals under service conditions using intravenous or epidural administration protocols, were recorded. Results:Data of 810 patients were evaluated, of whom 57.9% were female and 55.8% underwent orthopedic surgery. PCA was administered by intravenous route in 730 patients (90.4%) and by epidural route in 80 patients (9.6%). Intravenous PCA was preferred more in females and epidural PCA was preferred more in males. While the most preferred analgesic agent was petidine in the intravenous PCA, it was fentanil + bupivacaine in the epidural PCA. The most common side effects were sedation/somnolence, nausea, vomiting, and urinary retention. Conclusion:In our hospital, it was seen that intravenous PCA was more preferred and that the most frequently preferred analgesic agent was petidine in intravenous PCA and fentanyl + bupivacaine in epidural PCA. Pain treatment with PCA is well tolerated with low levels of side effect