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Anatomical Studies Evaluating Pediatric Regional Anesthesia: A Scoping Review

Lucas Ferreira Gomes Pereira1, Ricardo Vieira Carlos1,2, Albert van Schoor3

  • 1Discipline of Anesthesiology, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-010, Brazil.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 27, 2024
PubMed

Insights

This review highlights the need for more anatomical studies in pediatric regional anesthesia. Evidence from cadaver studies is scarce, impacting the safe application of nerve blocks in children.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Anatomy

Background:

  • Pediatric regional anesthesia is increasingly used to spare opioids and avoid general anesthetic neurodevelopmental risks.
  • Performing pediatric regional anesthesia studies is challenging, leading to limited evidence.
  • Concerns exist regarding local anesthetic dispersion and absorption in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the scientific foundation of cadaver studies assessing pediatric regional anesthesia techniques.
  • To identify existing anatomical research relevant to pediatric nerve blocks.

Main Methods:

  • Searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases.
  • Included anatomical cadaver studies evaluating peripheral nerve blocks in children.
  • Collected data on block type, evaluation, results, and conclusions.

Main Results:

  • Identified 16 relevant anatomical studies out of 2409 initial results.
  • Evaluated various pediatric nerve block techniques, including erector spinae plane, ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric, sciatic, and femoral nerve blocks.
  • Cataloged specific block types assessed in pediatric cadaver studies.

Conclusions:

  • While regional anesthesia is common in children, a lack of anatomical studies creates uncertainty.
  • Further anatomical research is crucial to guide and improve pediatric regional anesthesia practices.
  • Cadaver studies provide a foundation for understanding nerve block application in pediatric populations.
Abstract

Keywords:
cadavernerve blockpediatric anesthesiapediatricsregionalregional anesthesia

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