SummaryThirty patients who had undergone elective abdominal aortic surgery were studied in a prospective, randomised double-blind comparison of thoracic epidural 0.2% bupivacaine alone, thoracic epidural fentanyl alone and thoracic epidural 0.2% bupivacaine combined with ,fentanyl. Pain relief, pulmonary function. cardiovascular stability and side effects were assessed. Pain relief was e.ucellent in the combined bupivacaine-fentanyl series, being signiJicantly better than the other groups ( p < 0.05) during the entire study period and was not accompanied by hypotension. Forced expiratory parameters were reduced in all groups throughout the study to 50-60% of the pre-operative values, but there were no significant dixerences between groups. The incidence qf side effects attributable to either epidural bupivacaine or fentanyl was low. This study supports the increasing use of' epidurul infusion analgesia .for postoperative pain management after abdominal surgery.

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