Regional anesthesia in children as commonly performed in the United States has a very low rate of complications, comparable to that seen in the large multicenter European studies. Ultrasound may be increasing the use of peripheral nerve blocks. Multicenter collaborative networks such as the Pediatric Regional Anesthesia Network can facilitate the collection of detailed prospective data for research and quality improvement.
Background
Rectus sheath block can provide analgesia following umbilical hernia repair. However, conflicting reports on its analgesic effectiveness exist. No study has investigated plasma local anesthetic concentration following ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block (USGRSB) in children.
Objectives
Compare the effectiveness and bupivacaine absorption following USGRSB or wound infiltration (WI) for umbilical hernia repair in children.
Methods
A randomized blinded study comparing WI to USGRSB in 40 children undergoing umbilical hernia repair was performed. Group WI (n=20) received wound infiltration 1mg/kg 0.25% bupivacaine. Group RS (n=20) received USGRSB 0.5mg/kg 0.25% bupivacaine per side in the posterior rectus sheath compartment. Pain scores and rescue analgesia were recorded. Blood samples were drawn at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 minutes.
Results
Patients in the WI group had a 2-fold increased risk of requiring morphine (Hazard ratio 2.06, 95% CI 1.01, 4.20, p=0.05). When required, median time to first morphine dose was longer in the USGRSB group (65.5 min vs 47.5 min, p=0.049). Peak plasma bupivacaine concentration was higher following USGRSB than WI (median: 631.9 ng/ml IQR: 553.9 – 784.1 vs 389.7 ng/ml IQR: 250.5-502.7, p= 0.002). Tmax was longer in the USGRSB group (median 45 min IQR: 30 - 60 vs 20 min IQR: 20 – 45, p= 0.006).
Conclusions
USGRSB provides more effective analgesia than WI for umbilical hernia repair. USGRSB with 1mg/kg 0.25% bupivacaine is associated with safe plasma bupivacaine concentration that peaks higher and later than WI. Caution against using larger volumes of higher concentration local anesthetic for USGRSB is advised.
Our data support the safety of placing PNCs in children, with adverse event rates similar to adult studies. Catheter problems are common, yet minor, in severity.
Compartment syndrome is a potentially devastating complication of many orthopedic surgeries. Whether regional anesthesia can delay the diagnosis of compartment syndrome remains a subject of debate. Previous case reports have described compartment syndrome primarily in the setting of an epidural infusion, but also following single-injection peripheral nerve blocks. A case of evolving compartment syndrome in an ambulatory setting that was not masked by a continuous peripheral nerve block is presented, followed by a discussion of the literature pertaining specifically to peripheral nerve blockade and the diagnosis of compartment syndrome. Diagnosis depends on close postoperative monitoring of analgesic use and pain trends, and patients with ambulatory catheters require thorough education about compartment syndrome so they can be evaluated in a timely manner. The current literature on compartment syndrome diagnosis and regional anesthesia is limited to case reports and expert opinion, making evidence-based recommendations difficult.
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