Medical evidence has shown that providing epidural anesthesia perioperatively reduces cardiovascular and pulmonary complications, and improves the return of intestinal function more rapidly after major abdominal surgery.
UCSF's Pain Management Team provides 24/7, around-the-clock pain management service to patients after surgery. Our state-of-the-art approach to pain management sets UCSF apart from other programs that do not provide epidural after major abdominal surgery.
| Benefits of Epidural Anesthesia |
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| Reduction in perioperative mortality and morbidity |
| Reduction in cardiac complications, such as heart attack and abnormal heart rhythm |
| Reduction in pulmonary complications, such as pneumonia and need to be on ventilator |
| Reduced pain |
| Faster return of bowel function, so patients can eat sooner after surgery |
| Improved rehabilitation and faster time to discharge, resulting in a shorter hospital stay |
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Reduction in immunosuppression, which is associated with a lower risk of cancer recurrence and metastasis |