Necessity of routine perioperative peridual catheter placement in laparoscopic colorectal resections: A prospective data analysis

Purpose: Whether epidural anesthesia leads to further improvement in the postoperative course of colorectal procedures is under discussion. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of performing minimally invasive colorectal oncological interventions without a peridural catheter (PDK). Methods: This prospective data analysis included all patients with minimally invasive oncological colorectal resection who underwent surgery at our clinic between January 2013 and April 2019. Of 385 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 183 (group I; 47.5% of 385) received a PDK and 202 (group II; 52.5% of 385) did not. Relevant target parameters were evaluated and compared between the groups. Results: Group I (n = 183; women, 77; men, 106; age 66.8 years) were younger (p = 0.0035), received a urinary catheter more often (99.5% versus [vs.] 28.2% p < 0.001), required longer, more frequent arterenol treatment (1.1 vs. 0.6 days; p < 0.001), and had a longer intermediate care unit stay than group II (2.8 vs. 1.1 days; p < 0.001). Postoperative pain levels were not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.078). Group I showed later mobilization than group II (4 vs. 2 days; p < 0.001). The postoperative day of the first defecation in both groups was not significant (p = 0.236). Postoperative complications such as bleeding (p = 0.396), anastomotic leaks (p = 0.113), and wound infections (p = 0.641) did not differ between the groups. Group I had a significantly longer hospital stay than group II (12.2 vs. 9.4 days; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The omission of a PDK in elective minimally invasive colorectal resections can be safely implemented and is accompanied by no relevant disadvantages to the patient.