Continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve block for post thoracotomy analgesia in children

The safety and efficacy of continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve block has been well established in adults. This review of our initial paediatric experience suggests a role for this technique in children and discusses risks and benefits relative to other forms of regional analgesia for thoracotomy. Nine children aged one to twelve years received extrapleural infusions of bupivacaine 0.1-0.2% following lateral thoracotomy for lung resection. An extrapleural catheter was placed by the surgeon prior to thoracotomy closure, and correctly positioned under direct vision external to the parietal pleura alongside the vertebral column. An intraoperative loading dose of bupivacaine, 0.25-0.5% (0.28 +/- 0.1 ml/kg, mean +/- SD) was injected so as to raise a bleb under the parietal pleura which spread longitudinally to bathe several intercostal nerves in the paravertebral gutter. The chest wall was then closed. Infusions of bupivacaine were commenced in the recovery room and continued at a constant rate of 0.21 +/- 0.09 ml/kg/h for 72 +/- 15 hours. The mean dose of bupivacaine was 284 +/- 97 micrograms/kg/h. Patients also received standard analgesia as an intravenous morphine infusion (10-50 micrograms/kg/h), or patient-controlled analgesia. Nursing staff were specifically instructed not to alter their usual management of variable rate morphine infusions which are titrated to adequate analgesia. Morphine requirements in the first 48 postoperative hours remained less than 30 micrograms/kg/h, oral fluids were well tolerated after 31.2 +/- 19.1 hours, nasogastric tubes were removed at 16.7 +/- 11.2 hours. Postoperative nausea and vomiting and respiratory depression were not observed in any patient and all were able to comply with physiotherapy. There were no complications of catheter placement or bupivacaine administration. Our initial experience suggests that this is a safe technique which minimizes complementary opioid administration and provides adequate analgesia for children postthoracotomy for lung resection.