Effect of epidural analgesia on postoperative ileus after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

Epidural analgesia has been reported to enhance gastrointestinal motility and shorten postoperative ileus. Postoperative ileus can be influenced by many factors, including the operative procedure. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of supplemental epidural anesthesia and postoperative analgesia on ileus after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). This was a retrospective review of 50 consecutive nonrandomized patients undergoing IPAA over a 10 year period by a single surgeon. 27 patients received general anesthesia and parenteral analgesia. 23 patients received supplemental epidural anesthesia and analgesia. The two groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, diagnosis, and American Society of Anaesthesiology status. Operative time, blood loss, and transfusion requirements were also similar, but massive (>1,000 mL) blood loss was more frequent in the general group (37% vs 13%, P < .05). Twelve (44%) patients in the general group and seven (30%) in the epidural group had complications (NS). Mean duration of nasogastric suction, tube reinsertion, and interval to taking liquid and regular diets was similar in the two groups. Mean pain scores for the first 24 hours were significantly lower in the epidural group (1.9 ± 1.0 vs 2.5 ± 0.6, P < 0.05). Supplemental epidural anesthesia and analgesia does not shorten clinical postoperative ileus after a complex colorectal procedure (IPAA).