Continuous epidural anesthesia after ureteroneocystostomy in children

M P Cain1, D A Husmann, R H McLaren

  • 1Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

The Journal of Urology
|August 1, 1995
PubMed

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.

Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Urinary Tract Calculi V: Nursing Management01:28

Urinary Tract Calculi V: Nursing Management

AssessmentSubjective Data: Obtain a detailed health history, including any recent or chronic urinary tract infections, periods of immobilization, previous episodes of renal calculi, and medical conditions such as gout, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or hyperparathyroidism. Review the medication history for drugs that may influence stone formation, including allopurinol, analgesics, loop diuretics, or thiazide diuretics. Document the use of long-term indwelling catheters and any past surgical...
Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management01:25

Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management

Procedures for Kidney StonesMedical intervention is necessary when kidney stones or renal calculi are too large to pass spontaneously (typically greater than 5 millimeters) when stones are accompanied by symptomatic infection (such as fever or pyelonephritis), when they impair kidney function, or when they cause persistent symptoms like severe pain, nausea, or urinary retention. Additionally, patients with only one kidney or those who cannot be treated with medical management also require...
Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure01:26

Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure

Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living donor...
Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography01:22

Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography

IntroductionIntravenous Urography (IVU) and Retrograde Pyelography (RP) are important diagnostic imaging techniques used to evaluate the urinary system. These methods help identify structural abnormalities, obstructions, and functional issues in the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Both procedures use iodine-based contrast media to enhance the visibility of urinary tract structures on X-ray images, though they differ in their methods and indications.1. Intravenous Urography (IVU)Intravenous...
Urologic Endoscopic Procedure: Cystoscopic Examination01:28

Urologic Endoscopic Procedure: Cystoscopic Examination

Meaning of Cystoscopic Examination:Cystoscopy is an essential diagnostic tool in urology that is used to assess the structure and function of the genitourinary system. It provides a direct view of the urethra, bladder, and, in some cases, the ureteral openings. This procedure helps detect structural abnormalities, infections, cancers, and blockages in the urinary tract. There are two types of cystoscopy:Flexible cystoscopy is commonly performed in outpatient settings due to its less invasive...