Patient-controlled extradural analgesia after caesarean section: a comparison between tramadol, sufentanil and a mixture of both

In a double-blind randomised study into post-operative pain relief by extradural PCA, 66 Caesarean section patients were divided in to three groups to receive either sufentanil (2 μ/ml), tramadol (10 mg/ml) or a mixture of both. After a loading dose of 10 ml, patients were allowed to ask for additional boluses of 2.5 ml, respecting a lock-out time of 10 min and a 1-h limit of 10 ml. Every 6 h, VAS pain scores, consumption of drugs, number of demands and side-effects were registered. At 6 h, pain was significantly less in the combination group compared to patients receiving tramadol alone. The 24-h dose requirements for sufentanil and tramadol when used alone were 123.5±10.3 μg and 652±42 mg, respectively. Combining both drugs decreased the consumption and number of demands for tramadol only (22%, p