Epidural Levobupivacaine-sufentanil Versus Epidural Levobupivacaine and Intravenous Ketamine

Thoracic epidural analgesia is often proposed to thoracotomized patients. A local anesthetic and an opioid are generally associated to produce an epidural analgesia. However, opioid epidural administration is frequently associated with adverse effects as nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, ... On the other hand, iv ketamine has been demonstrated to be an effective analgesic.

The purpose of the study is to compare the epidural administration of levobupivacaine and sufentanil or the epidural administration of levobupivacaine associated with the iv administration of ketamine.