Hydromorphone vs fentanyl for epidural analgesia and anesthesia

BackgroundEpidural analgesia/anesthesia is used during surgery because it dramatically relieves pain and attenuates the stress response. Because limited data exist regarding the relative merits of hydromorphone (HM) and fentanyl (FENT), the objective was to determine which was more safe and effective.MethodsProspective case-matched, observational study evaluated elective surgery patients: 30 HM and 60 FENT. Variables were measured perioperatively.ResultsOf the 90 patients, mean age was 52 years; simplified acute physiology score was 26 ± 10; and American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 2.4 HM vs 2.7 FENT, P = .03. HM patients were more apt to be excessively sedated (16% HM vs 1% FENT, P = .007) and have poor mental unresponsiveness (6% HM vs 0% FENT, P = .04). The incidence of hypotension was not different, 76% HM vs 80% FENT, not significant.ConclusionsIn a closely case-matched population, FENT caused less excessive sedation and unresponsiveness. FENT patients had better intraoperative urine output and tended to have less repeated episodes of hypotension.