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Safe lumbar puncture under analgo-sedation in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Palma Maurizi1, Ida Russo, Daniela Rizzo
1Department of Pediatric Oncology, "A. Gemelli" Hospital, UCSC, Catholic University of Rome, Largo A Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Procedural analgo-sedation using propofol and ketamine is safe and effective for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), improving comfort and reducing traumatic lumbar punctures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Anesthesiology
- Hematology
Background:
- Lumbar puncture (LP) is a common but painful procedure for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
- Pain and stress from LP negatively impact children's quality of life.
- Procedural analgo-sedation may enhance comfort and reduce traumatic LPs, especially at diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of procedural analgo-sedation in children with ALL undergoing lumbar puncture.
Main Methods:
- A total of 252 LPs were performed under deep sedation with propofol and ketamine in 25 children with ALL.
- Vital parameters were monitored, and side effects were recorded.
- Sedation efficacy was assessed using Ramsay and Children's Hospital Eastern Ontario Pain scales.
Main Results:
- Satisfactory sedation and analgesia were achieved in all patients.
- No significant variations in vital parameters were observed.
- Only 1.2% of LPs resulted in traumatic effects, with no recorded side effects.
Conclusions:
- Procedural analgo-sedation is a safe and effective method for children with ALL.
- Implementing analgo-sedation can significantly improve patient comfort and quality of life.
- This approach reduces the risk of traumatic lumbar punctures, particularly at diagnosis.
Background:
Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) undergo multiple lumbar punctures (LPs) during their course of treatment for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. LP is a stressful and painful procedure, affecting the quality of life of these children. Procedural analgo-sedation might improve the child's comfort and prevent the child's movements, reducing the risk of traumatic lumbar puncture with blasts (TLP+), mainly at diagnosis, when higher numbers of blast cells are circulating in the peripheral blood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of procedural analgo-sedation in children with ALL.
Methods:
From September 2006 to November 2008, we performed a total of 252 lumbar punctures under deep sedation with propofol and ketamine in 25 children with ALL treated at our division. During the procedures, vital parameters were monitored and side effects were recorded. The efficacy of deep sedation was evaluated using Ramsay and Children's Hospital Eastern Ontario Pain scales. Cerebrospinal fluid was collected for chemical and cytological examinations.
Results:
In all patients a satisfactory sedation and analgesia were achieved. The evaluation of vital parameters did not show any significant variation compared to baseline values. No side effects were recorded. Only 3 (1.2 %) of 252 lumbar punctures resulted in traumatic effects.
Conclusion:
To strongly improve comfort and quality of life of children with ALL and reduce the risk of TLP+ mainly at diagnosis, we recommend performing the lumbar punctures under analgo-sedation because it is a safe and effective procedure.
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