Epidural Clonidine for Postoperative Hyperalgesia

Summary

We propose performing a study in which we compare the effects of bupivacaine and fentanyl with a different drug combination - bupivacaine and clonidine. The principal research questions of the study are: 1. To compare the effect of clonidine (with bupivacaine), injected into the epidural space on the extent of hyperalgesia (abnormal pain/sensitivity in the uninjured skin surrounding the operation site) in patients undergoing operations for bowel disease, with that of fentanyl (with bupivacaine). 2. To compare the effect of clonidine (with bupivacaine), injected into the epidural space on the incidence of chronic pain 6 months after surgery for bowel disease, with that of fentanyl (with bupivacaine).

Timeline

Start

2007-12

Primary completion

—

Completion

2009-12

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.