Epidural Butorphanol Analgesia in Elderly Patients Undergoing Hip Replacement

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of continuous epidural analgesia (CEA) with butorphanol in elderly patients undergoing hip replacement.METHODS:Sixty patients scheduled for selective hip replacement were randomized into group B (n=30) to receive patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with butorphanol and group M (n=30) to receive PCEA with morphine. Their pain distribution at 5 time points, postoperative global score and the adverse effects in 48 h were observed.RESULTS:The pain distribution at the 5 time points or the global score for postoperative PCEA in 48 h showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Analgesia with butorphanol caused less adverse effects (respiratory depression, nausea and vomiting, itching and abdominal distension) than that with morphine (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:CEA with butorphanol is safe and effective for the treatment of postoperative pain in elderly patients and causes less adverse effects than morphine.