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A Murine Model of Irreversible and Reversible Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction
Published on: December 20, 2014
Continuous epidural anesthesia after ureteroneocystostomy in children
M P Cain1, D A Husmann, R H McLaren
1Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Insights
Postoperative epidural anesthesia in pediatric ureteral reimplantation offers effective pain control but increases fever risk and costs. Narcotic use was lower, but catheter complications and higher expenses were noted.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pain Management
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Ureteral reimplantation is a common pediatric urological procedure.
- Effective postoperative pain management is crucial for recovery.
- Epidural anesthesia is an option for managing surgical pain in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and safety of postoperative epidural anesthesia versus standard analgesics in pediatric patients undergoing ureteral reimplantation.
- To evaluate the impact on hospital stay, bowel function, narcotic use, fever incidence, catheter complications, and cost.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 101 pediatric patients with epidural catheters and 50 controls.
- Data collected included length of hospital stay, time to first bowel activity, narcotic doses, fever incidence, and catheter-related morbidities.
- Cost analysis comparing epidural anesthesia with standard narcotic regimens.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in hospital stay or bowel function return between groups.
- Epidural group had significantly lower narcotic doses (p < 0.05).
- Increased incidence of postoperative fever (p < 0.05) and 25% catheter-related problems in the epidural group.
- Epidural management was significantly more costly ($708 vs $14, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Continuous epidural infusion provides satisfactory pain control after ureteroneocystostomy in children without delaying discharge.
- This method is associated with increased postoperative fever and higher costs compared to standard pain management.
- Careful consideration of risks, benefits, and costs is warranted when selecting postoperative pain management strategies.
Abstract:
We retrospectively reviewed the records of 101 pediatric patients who underwent uncomplicated ureteral reimplantation and were treated with postoperative epidural catheters for pain management. A total of 50 pediatric patients treated without epidural anesthesia was used as the control group. Length of hospital stay, time to first bowel activity, doses of narcotics, incidence of postoperative fever and evidence of epidural catheter related morbidities were documented. The costs of postoperative epidural anesthesia versus standard analgesics were compared. There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay or return of bowel function between treatment groups. Total doses of narcotics given during the hospital stay were significantly less for the epidural group (p < 0.05). The children given epidural anesthesia also had a significant increase in the incidence of postoperative fever (p < 0.05) and 25% had catheter related problems that often resulted in early removal of the epidural catheter. The cost of pain management using an epidural catheter was significantly greater than that of the standard narcotic regimen ($708 versus $14, p < 0.001). Continuous epidural infusion provides satisfactory pain control after ureteroneocystostomy in children without delaying hospital discharge. This technique of pain management is associated with a significant increase in the incidence of postoperative fever and overall cost compared to standard methods of postoperative pain management.
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