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Quadriceps paresis in pediatric groin surgery
I Erez1, V Buchumensky, Z Shenkman
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Meir General Hospital, 44281 Kfar Saba, Israel.
Pediatric Surgery International
|April 17, 2002
Summary
Transient quadriceps muscle paresis (QMP) is a rare complication of regional nerve blocks in pediatric groin surgery. This study found a low incidence of QMP, suggesting current preventive analgesia techniques are generally safe and effective for children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Anesthesiology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Groin operations in children often utilize regional nerve blocks for pain management.
- Preventive analgesia, including ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve blocks with inguinal canal infiltration, is standard practice.
- Transient postoperative quadriceps muscle paresis (QMP) is a potential, though uncommon, complication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of transient QMP after regional nerve blocks in pediatric patients undergoing groin surgery.
- To explore potential preventive strategies for QMP in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 2,624 groin operations in 2,202 children (6 months-14 years).
- All operations employed preventive analgesia with ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve blocks and inguinal canal infiltration.
- Monitoring for postoperative neurological deficits, specifically QMP.
Main Results:
- A total of 6 patients (0.23%) experienced transient QMP.
- All affected patients required brief bed rest and monitoring.
- Complete spontaneous recovery from QMP was observed in all cases without intervention.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of transient QMP following regional nerve blocks for pediatric groin surgery is very low.
- Current preventive analgesia protocols appear safe, with QMP being a transient and self-limiting complication.
- Further research into specific preventative measures for QMP may be warranted.