Schneider MP, et al. - Given that thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) enhances recovery after bowel surgery. Researchers here tested if early postoperative prolonged-release oral formulation of oxycodone or oxycodone/naloxone is potentially useful as a second analgesic step to reduce the duration of TEA. Observations revealed that compared to placebo, neither early postoperative administration of prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone nor oxycodone could reduce the duration of epidural analgesia after cystectomy and urinary diversion. Oxycodone was observed to extend time to first defecation.