A prospective randomized comparative study of postoperative pain control using an epidural catheter in patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion

94 patients undergoing lumbar interbody fusion for spinal stenosis were randomized to receive postoperative pain control via either a conventional intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump or a continuous epidural catheter administration of 0.2% ropivacaine. The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of a continuous epidural reduced postoperative pain, use of opioids, the length of hospital stay, and the incidence of adverse events when compared to standard PCA. The results demonstrated that patients in the Epidural group had a significantly reduced length of hospital stay, reduced pain experienced on POD 1-3, a reduced use of Demerol and Fentanyl, and a reduced incidence of adverse events.