Comparison between intravenous patient controlled analgesia and patient controlled epidural analgesia in cirrhotic patients after hepatic resection.

Abstract

The two modalities of pain control seems to be nearly equivalent, but considering the risk of epidural catheter insertion and removal in cirrhotic patients who are further exposed to hepatectomy with subsequent additional coagulopathy, it may be wise to consider IVPCA technique as a policy for pain management in cirrhotic patient undergoing hepatectomy.