Design: Level I randomized prospective outcomes study comparing two groups of patients. One group will receive buipvacanine and dilaudid thoracic epidural analgesia (PCA) post-operatively. The other will receive bilateral ultrasound guided paravertebral blocks with indwelling paravertebral catheters with an infusion of 0.2% ropivicaine post-operatively and a PCA.~Sample Size: 50 patients Study Duration: Approximately 12 months Population:. Patients presenting to the University of Minnesota Medical Center for elective open pancreatic surgery.~Primary Objective: To determine if bilateral paravertebral catheters in patients with open pancreatic procedures result in decreased total maximal pain scores compared to patients treated with thoracic epidural for post-operative pain.~Secondary Objectives:~To determine whether the use of bilateral paravertebral catheters impacts the length of ICU and hospital stay for patients, compared to a thoracic epidurals in patients undergoing elective open pancreatic surgery.~To determine whether the use of ultrasound guided bilateral paravertebral catheters leads to lower risk of complications, compared to use of a thoracic epidural in patients undergoing open pancreatic surgery.~2. Synopsis and Medical Application:~Specific Aims:~Primary Hypothesis: Paravertebral catheters will result in improved pain control relative to thoracic epidural for post-operative pain from open pancreatic surgery.~Secondary Hypothesis: Paravertebral catheters will result in fewer hospital days and improved subjective respiratory function compared to patients in the thoracic epidural group.
Design: Level I randomized prospective outcomes study comparing two groups of patients. One group will receive bupivacaine and dilaudid thoracic epidural analgesia (PCA) post-operatively. The other will receive bilateral ultrasound guided paravertebral blocks with indwelling paravertebral catheters with an infusion of 0.2% ropivicaine post-operatively and a PCA.~Sample Size: 50 patients Study Duration: Approximately 12 months Population:. Patients presenting to the University of Minnesota Medical Center for elective open pancreatic surgery.~Primary Objective: To determine if bilateral paravertebral catheters in patients with open pancreatic procedures result in decreased pain compared to patients treated with thoracic epidural for post-operative pain.~Secondary Objectives:~To determine whether the use of bilateral paravertebral catheters impacts the length of ICU and hospital stay for patients, compared to a thoracic epidurals in patients undergoing elective open pancreatic surgery.~To determine whether the use of ultrasound guided bilateral paravertebral catheters leads to lower risk of complications, compared to use of a thoracic epidural in patients undergoing open pancreatic surgery.