Regional Anesthesia in Colon Rectal Surgery

This study will compare recurrence rates in patients with colorectal cancer who will be randomly assigned to epidural anesthesia/analgesia combined with general anesthesia or to general anesthesia followed by opioid analgesia.

The study population will consist of patients who are scheduled for open laparoscopic or laparoscopic assisted surgery for colon cancer. Patients will randomized into one of two groups. The intervention group will receive combined regional and general anesthesia during surgery. Postoperative pain treatment will be based on regional anesthesia techniques. The Control group will receive general anesthesia during surgery. Postoperative pain treatment will be based primarily on opioids. After surgery, patients will be followed daily during their hospital stay. Patients will be contacted by telephone every 6 months for five years. Quality of life questionnaires will be administered at these follow ups.