Abstract

• A technique of Postoperative Infusional Continuous Regional Analgesia (PICRA) has been suggested for relief of pain in patients with below-knee amputation.
  The authors reviewed 30 patients with major amputation at the level proximal to the wrist or ankle, 15 patients of which were managed with PICRA for the relief the pain after amputation surgeries ; while 15 patients of which were managed conventionally For the control group we selected the patients whose age and sex, cause and level of amputation were similiar to those of the patients in PICRA group. We compared these two groups and we observed the followings ;
  1. 18 (60%) patients experienced phantom phenomena and 12(40%) patients experienced phantom paln, a little less frequently in PICRA group.
  2. There were no significant relationships between the occurrence of phantom pain and the age of amputee or the level of amputation.
  3. The phantom paln was more commonly observed in patients with more severe pream potation pain.
  4. Pain was mainly localized distally in the phantom limb.
  5. PIERA group received narcotic drugs less frequently than the non-PICRA group.
  In summary, postoperative infusional continuous regional analgesia significantly reduced the narcotic requirements in patients with amputation surgeries.
• Key words: Amputation, Postoperative, Infusional continuous regional analgesia

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