Merath K, et al. - Using the Inpatient Standard Analytic Files, researchers described the use of epidural analgesia (EA) in Medicare patients undergoing hepatopancreatic (HP) procedures and identified factors associated with the use of EA as well as evaluated perioperative results. Of the 20,562 patients in the study, 6.7% were EA patients. No difference was found in the odds of complications or blood transfusions with EA vs conventional analgesia (CA). Medicare payments for liver surgery were similar among EA vs conventional analgesia and slightly higher for EA vs conventional analgesia for pancreatic procedures. Among Medicare patients undergoing HP, EA utilization was low. Although EA was not related to morbidity, an average additional one day LOS and slightly higher expenditures for pancreatic surgery resulted.