Thoracic Epidural Analgesia or Intravenous Morphine Analgesia After Thoracoabdominal Esophagectomy: A Prospective Follow-up of 201 Patients

Conclusions: No differences in morbidity/mortality rates depending on analgesic treatment were observed in patients undergoing thoracoabdominal esophagectomy. Thoracic epidural analgesia provided better pain relief with fewer opioid-related side effects than intravenous morphine analgesia. However, postoperative epidural analgesia was associated with more technical difficulties.