Continuous thoracic paravertebral analgesia after minimally invasive atrial septal defect closure surgery in pediatric population: Effectiveness and safety analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Lateral thoracotomy is replacing traditional median sternotomy for atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in children in order to improve cosmetic outcomes. Continuous paravertebral block has been described as an effective and safe analgesic technique in children. The aim of this study is to assess pain management by continuous perfusion of local anesthetic through a thoracic paravertebral catheter (PVC) in a pediatric population after thoracotomy closure of ASD, and its effectiveness in a fast-track program. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Analgesic effectiveness, perioperative and safety-related data were analyzed in 21 patients who underwent thoracotomy closure of ASD with PVC. In the postoperative period, patients received continuous perfusion of bupivacaine 0.125% and fentanyl (1 mcg.ml-1) at 0.2 ml.kg-1.h-1 through the PVC. RESULTS: The median of mean pain scale score for each patient was 1.5. All patients were extubated in the operating theatre. No patient with PVC required opioid rescue. The median length of stay in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was 48 hours. There were 3 adverse events related to PVC: 1 due to malposition and 2 due to accidental removal. No other complications or cases of local anesthetic toxicity were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: PVC provides effective, safe, opioid-saving analgesia in the postoperative period of ASD closure by thoracotomy in the context of a fast-track protocol.

Analgesia paravertebral torácica continua tras cirugía mínimamente invasiva de cierre de comunicación interauricular en población pediátrica: análisis de eficacia y seguridad / Continuous thoracic paravertebral analgesia after minimally invasive atrial septal defect closure surgery in pediatric population: Effectiveness and safety analysis

Introducción: La toracotomía lateral está sustituyendo la esternotomía media clásica para el cierre de la comunicación interauricular (CIA) en niños con objetivo de obtener un menor impacto estético. El bloqueo paravertebral continuo se ha descrito como una técnica analgésica efectiva y segura en niños. El objetivo del estudio es valorar el control analgésico tras el cierre de CIA por toracotomía, mediante la administración de anestésico local en perfusión continua a través de un catéter paravertebral torácico (CPV) en población pediátrica, y su efectividad en un programa fast-track. Métodos: Estudio transversal descriptivo. Se analizaron datos de efectividad analgésica, datos perioperatorios y relacionados con la seguridad en 21 pacientes intervenidos de cierre de CIA mediante toracotomía con CPV. En el periodo postoperatorio se empleó una perfusión continua a través del CPV de bupivacaína al 0,125% y fentanilo (1μg.ml-1) a 0,2ml.kg-1.h-1. Resultados: La mediana de las puntuaciones medias en las escalas de dolor de cada paciente fue 1,5. Todos los pacientes se extubaron en quirófano. Ningún paciente con CPV requirió rescate con opioides. La mediana de tiempo de estancia en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos fue de 48h. Se objetivaron 3 eventos adversos relacionados con el CPV: uno debido a mala posición y 2 por salida accidental. No se registraron otras complicaciones ni casos de toxicidad por anestésicos locales. Conclusiones: El CPV proporciona una analgesia efectiva y segura en el postoperatorio de cierre de CIA mediante toracotomía en el contexto de un protocolo fast-track disminuyendo el consumo postoperatorio de opioides.(AU)

Introduction: Lateral thoracotomy is replacing traditional median sternotomy for atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in children in order to improve cosmetic outcomes. Continuous paravertebral block has been described as an effective and safe analgesic technique in children. The aim of this study is to assess pain management by continuous perfusion of local anesthetic through a thoracic paravertebral catheter (PVC) in a pediatric population after thoracotomy closure of ASD, and its effectiveness in a fast-track program. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Analgesic effectiveness, perioperative and safety-related data were analyzed in 21 patients who underwent thoracotomy closure of ASD with PVC. In the postoperative period, patients received continuous perfusion of bupivacaine 0.125% and fentanyl (1 μg.ml-1) at 0.2ml.kg-1.h-1 through the PVC. Results: The median of mean pain scale score for each patient was 1.5. All patients were extubated in the operating theatre. No patient with PVC required opioid rescue. The median length of stay in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was 48hours. There were 3 adverse events related to PVC: 1 due to malposition and 2 due to accidental removal. No other complications or cases of local anesthetic toxicity were recorded. Conclusions: PVC provides effective, safe, opioid-saving analgesia in the postoperative period of ASD closure by thoracotomy in the context of a fast-track protocol.(AU)

Assessment of an ultrasound-guided technique for catheterization of the caudal thoracic paravertebral space in dog cadavers.

Background: The caudal thoracic paravertebral (CTPV) block is a regional anesthesia technique currently used in human medicine to provide analgesia in abdominal surgical procedures. Aim: The objectives of this study are to describe an ultrasound-guided technique to place catheters in CTPV space in canine cadavers and evaluate the distribution of a 50:50 contrast-dye solution administered through them. Methods: Eight thawed adult beagle cadavers (9.2 ± 2.0 kg body total weight) were used. Thirteen catheters were placed. In the first phase, a volume of 0.3 ml kg-1 of the contrast-dye was administered in all cases. After the injections, computed tomography (CT) scans were carried out to assess the distribution of the contrast-dye. In the second phase, an extra 0.2 ml kg-1 of the contrast-dye was administered through eight catheters, followed by a second CT scan. Two cadavers were dissected to assess the distribution of the contrast-dye. The injection site varied between T8-9 and T12-13. Results: The evaluation of the CT scans showed contrast-dye within the paravertebral space in 92% (12/13) of the injections. The distribution pattern observed after the injections performed within the TPV space was linear and intercostal in all cases. The median (range) linear spread of the contrast was 7 (5-10) spinal nerves and involved 3 (2-8) intercostal spaces. The contrast-dye reached lumbar regions in 42% of the injections (5/12). A larger spread of the contrast-dye was not observed after the administration of a second dose of the injectate. No signs of epidural, intrapleural/intrapulmonary, intravascular, or intraabdominal spread were observed. The dissection of the two cadavers confirmed the spread of the contrast-dye along the sympathetic trunk and intercostal spaces. Conclusion: The administration of 0.3 ml kg-1 of the contrast-dye in the CTPV space resulted in a distribution compatible with the block of nerves responsible for the innervation of the majority of the abdominal viscera and cranial abdominal wall.