Randomized, Unblinded, Phase III Trial of Thoracic Epidural Analgesia Versus Four-Quadrant Transversus Abdominus Plane Block in Oncologic Open-Incision Liver Surgery
This phase III trial studies how well thoracic epidural analgesia or four-quadrant transversus abdominus plane block works in reducing pain in patients undergoing liver surgery. It is not yet known whether thoracic epidural analgesia or four-quadrant transversus abdominus plane block may help people to recover more completely and more quickly after surgery.
• Patients undergoing open liver resection without bowel resection/anastomosis for malignancy at MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Patients must sign a study-specific consent form
• Platelets \>= 100,000/ml (within 30 days of surgery)
• International normalized ratio (INR) =\< 1.5 (within 30 days of surgery)
• Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) =\< 40 (within 30 days of surgery)
• Patients must have no fever or evidence of infection or other coexisting medical condition that would preclude epidural placement