Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2006 , Vol 9, Issue 2
EMERGENCY THORACIC EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA WITH ROPIVACAINE FOR A CACHECTIC GERIATRIC PATIENT WITH ILEUS
1 Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Düzce Tıp Fakültesi Anesteziyoloji Anabilim Dalı BOLU
2 Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Düzce Tıp Fakültesi Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı BOLU Objective: Operations associated with increased risk of perioperative mortality and morbidity lead to consider regional anesthesia techniques for elderly patients. Epidural analgesia is used widely combined with general anesthesia. In this case, it is discussed whether solely thoracic epidural technique with ropivacaine provide appropriate anesthesia or not in emergency situations for elderly patients.

Case Report: A 73-year-old cachectic male diagnosed with ileus was scheduled for an emergency laparotomy. He had congestive heart failure with hypertension, tachycardia and tachypnea with jugular venous distension. Thoracic epidural anesthesia were performed with ropivacaine 75 mg. Total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis were performed. The patient discharged uneventful postoperatively.

Conclusion: Epidural anesthesia with ropivacaine was provided fast and effective anesthesia without sedation in the elderly patient with ileus. This technique should be used safely especially with it's advantages for cardiovascular and pulmonary compromised elderly patients. Keywords : Elderly, Emergency, Epidural anesthesia, Ileus, Ropivacaine