Objective To explore stress in perioperative period of two different anesthesia methods. Methods According to matching design, 62 patients underwent abdominal surgery were selected and divided into general anesthesia group (group A) and general anesthesia combined with epidural block group (group B) with 31 in each. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), plasma norepinephrine (NE), serum cortisol (Cor), and serum C-reactive protein (CPR) concentration were measured in the beginning of anesthesia (T1), 30 min after beginning (T2), abdominal suture (T3), and 24 h after operation (T4). Operation time and amount of bleeding were recorded.ResultsThere were no significant differences of operation time and bleeding between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared to group A, MABP values were significantly lower in patients of group B in T1, T2, and T3 time points (P<0.05), but MABP values were similar in T4 (P>0.05). The HR values were normal in both groups. In T1, the NE levels of B group were significantly higher (P<0.01), but there were no significant differences of Cor and CRP values.

In T2, T3, and T4 time points, the NE, Cor, and CRP values were significantly lower in group B than those of group A (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion General

anesthesia combined with epidural block may reduce perioperative stress response compared to general anesthesia.