[Lumbar and thoracic epidural anesthesia in children's hospitals in Japan]

A retrospective study of the lumbar and thoracic epidural anesthesia (catheterization) in infants and children younger than 12 years was undertaken in children's hospitals in Japan. Seventeen institutions replied to our questionnaire and 10 institutions experienced these procedures in the year preceding September 1994. The total number of the lumbar and thoracic epidural anesthesia performed was 324, with average of 32.4 +/- 31.1, and maximum of 113 and the minimum of 2. The number of thoracic epidural anesthesia performed was 56 a much smaller figure than that of lumbar anesthesia. Infants younger than 12 months were 23 in both groups. No major complications occurred except a case of infection at the insertion site. The patient had herpes zoster. On the other hand, several institutions cast doubt on the necessity of epidural anesthesia in infants and children. The long-term influence on the developing nervous system should be investigated.