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The use of PCA for the treatment of pain is a valuable and growing practice. The technique for PCA initiation and management has been described. This mode of therapy should be in the therapeutic armamentarium of every clinician managing postoperative pain because PCA provides better analgesia than conventional IM or IV narcotic therapy and is generally associated with fewer side effects.

Epidural analgesia is an important advance in the treatment of postoperative pain. Improved pain relief and decreased patient morbidity have combined to make this technique more desirable than the use of traditional intramuscular narcotics. Optimal patient care and satisfaction, however, can only be achieved with the education and assistance of experienced nursing staff familiar with postoperative epidural analgesia therapy.