Objective To evalvate the efficacy of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) combined with ganciclovir for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia in patients.Methods A total of 60 patients with PHN,aged 51-86 yr,of ASA physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ,were randomly assigned into 2 groups (n =30 each) using a random number table:ganciclovir group (F group) and PCEA combined with ganciclovir group (FB group).In FB and F groups,ganciclovir 0.25 g was infused intravenously twice a day for 7 consecutive days.In addition,continuous PCEA was performed simultaneously in group FB and the PCEA solution contained ropivacaine 300 mg,prednisolone 20 mg and dezocine 10 mg in 250 ml of normal saline.At 1 day before treatment (T0) and 7 days,1 month,and 6 months after treatment (T1-3),pain was assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS),and the quality of life (QOL) score and pair relief rate were recorded.Results VAS and QOL scores were significantly lower at T1-3 than at T0 in the two groups.Compared with F group,VAS scores were significantly decreased,and QOL score and pain relief rate were increased at T1-3 in FB group.Conclusion PCEA combined with ganciclovir can effectively alleviate postherpetic neuralgia in the patients.

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