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Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat
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Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat

Published on: November 21, 2025

Continuous peripheral nerve blockade for inpatient and outpatient postoperative analgesia in children

Arjunan Ganesh1, John B Rose, Lawrence Wells

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-4399, USA. ganesha@email.chop.edu

Anesthesia and Analgesia
|October 26, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Continuous peripheral nerve blockade (CPNB) is a feasible option for pediatric orthopedic postoperative pain management, offering an alternative to opioids. Careful patient education and follow-up are key to managing potential complications effectively.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Regional Anesthesia
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Implementation of a continuous peripheral nerve blockade (CPNB) program for pediatric postoperative analgesia.
  • Focus on orthopedic procedures in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Audit the established CPNB program.
  • Evaluate its effectiveness and safety in pediatric orthopedic patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of a regional anesthesia registry and medical records.
  • Inclusion of consecutive children receiving CPNB from February 2003 to July 2006.
  • Prospective follow-up for CPNB effects and complications, collecting data on blockade, pain scores, opioid use, and adverse events.

Main Results:

  • 226 catheters placed in 217 pediatric patients (ages 4-18).
  • 108 patients discharged home with CPNB.
  • 56% of patients required no opioids within 8 hours post-surgery.
  • Low complication rate (2.8%), with most resolving spontaneously.

Conclusions:

  • CPNB program is feasible for inpatient and outpatient pediatric orthopedic postoperative analgesia.
  • Requires appropriate expertise, patient/family education, and frequent follow-up.
  • Offers an alternative to opioids, improving pain management outcomes.
Abstract

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