Epidural Oxycodone for Pain Management for Lower Limb Amputation

Epidural Oxycodone for Pain Management for Lower Limb Amputation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of epidural oxycodone for pain management after lower limb amputation.

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is often described as tingling, throbbing, sharp, pins/needles in the limb that is no longer there. It occurs more commonly in upper extremity amputations than lower extremities and tends to be intermittent in frequency. Pain severity varies, and onset can be immediate or years afterward.

The preventive strategies for the PLP pain are difficult to manage and if not addressed adequately may lead to chronic pain. The perioperative role of the anesthesiologist and the acute pain physician is important in the management of somatic and sometimes neuropathic postoperative pain.

Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic narcotic analgesic and historically has been a popular drug of abuse among the narcotic abusing population. Oxycodone is used orally or intravenously.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 to 65 years.
• Both sexes.
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II or III.
• Undergoing lower limb amputation.
• Under epidural anesthesia.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hypersensitivity to opioids.
• Cardiac arrhythmias.
• Acute asthma or other obstructive airways disease.
• Severe renal impairment.
• Pregnancy.