PERiX: Comparison of Efficacy Between Placement of Epidural Catheters X-ray Guided and LOS Technique

The use of epidural catheters for postoperative analgesia in pancreatic surgery is recommended by the guidelines of the ERAS society. Some studies claim it may expose to hemodynamic alterations that may compromise outcome and increase postoperative complications, attributable to a malfunction of the catheter itself, often linked to a bad positioning, since this is usually positioned with LOS technique. Our hypothesis is that a positioning made using the radiographic guide the day before the intervention can significantly reduce the number of catheter's dysfunctions.

About 30% of epidural catheters are reported to have hypo or hyper functioning behaviour. This has and impact on postoperative pain control and can affect also surgical and global outcome since it is known that a malfunctional catheter carries an increased complication's rate. Our hypothesis is that rx-guided positioning can reduce the incidence of catheter malfunction afrom 30 to 15 %.