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Background: Epidural pain catheters are purported to improve perioperative pain control and decrease rates of ileus, pneumonia, and venous thromboembolism. Since these data are primarily limited to gynecologic and thoracic surgical procedures, we hypothesized that use of epidural pain catheters would demonstrate benefit among patients undergoing gastric and pancreatic resections. Methods. From January 2007 to June 2009, 126 patients underwent elective gastric and pancreatic resections for space-occupying lesions at an academic university hospital. Emergency, traumatic, pediatric, and disseminated cancer cases were excluded. Clinicopathologic data were reviewed among epidural (E) and non-epidural (NE) patients for their association with perioperative outcomes. Data were analyzed using parametric and non-parametric methods as appropriate. Results. 91 patients (72%) received an epidural, and 35 (28%) did not. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed in 71 patients (56%), distal pancreatectomy in 25 patients (20%), and partial gastrectomy in 24 patients (19%). There were no significant differences in mean postoperative pain scores or ketorolac use among E and NE patients. 21% of E patients had their catheter removed within 48 hours because of poor pain control or hemodynamic issues. 14% of E patients also received concomitant intravenous narcotic infusion with a functioning E. The prevalence of overall complications (40% E versus 34% NE, P=0.68), prolonged ileus (13% E versus 11% NE, P=1.00), pneumonia (12% E versus 6% NE, P=0.51), venous thromboembolism (8% E versus 6% NE, P=1.00), and length of stay (median 8 days E versus 7 days NE, P=0.58) were not significantly different between the two groups. Subgroup analysis of patients without complications (N=78) demonstrated no significant differences in pain scores, return of bowel function, or length of stay between E and NE patients.Conclusions. The use of epidural pain catheters does not alter perioperative outcomes among patients undergoing elective gastric and pancreatic resections. Routine use of epidurals in this subgroup of patients may not be indicated.