[Prolonged blocking of the brachial plexus by axillary approach in children]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Anesthesiology
• Surgical Pain Management
• Regional Anesthesia

Background:

• Pediatric surgical patients often require effective pain management strategies.
• Regional anesthesia techniques, such as brachial plexus blockade, are valuable for limb surgeries.
• Prolonged analgesia is crucial for post-operative recovery in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prolonged axillary brachial plexus blockade in children undergoing arm surgery.
• To determine the duration of analgesia achieved with this technique.
• To assess the incidence of toxic reactions associated with lidocaine and bupivacaine infusion.

Main Methods:

• Surgical interventions were performed under combined total anesthesia.
• Prolonged brachial plexus blockade was achieved via an axillary approach in 40 children (aged 4-14 years).
• Lidocaine and bupivacaine were infused into the axillary space for anesthesia.

Main Results:

• Adequate analgesia was maintained in the lower third of the brachial bone, ulnar joint, forearm, and hand for 24-48 hours.
• The proposed protocols for lidocaine and bupivacaine infusion did not cause toxic reactions in the studied age group.
• The method demonstrated effectiveness in providing pain relief during and after surgical procedures.

Conclusions:

• Prolonged axillary brachial plexus blockade is an effective method for managing surgical pain in children's arm diseases.
• The technique offers sustained analgesia for up to 48 hours post-surgery.
• This anesthesia protocol using lidocaine and bupivacaine is safe for pediatric patients aged 4-14 years.