Postoperative analgesia in infants and children

'Desire for more analgesic treatment': pain and patient-reported outcome after paediatric tonsillectomy and appendectomy

BACKGROUND

Insufficiently treated pain after paediatric appendectomy and tonsillectomy is frequent. We aimed to identify variables associated with poor patient-reported outcomes.

METHODS

This analysis derives from the European PAIN OUT infant registry providing information on perioperative pharmacological data and patient-reported outcomes 24 h after surgery. Variables associated with the endpoint 'desire for more pain treatment' were evaluated by elastic net regularisation (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]).

RESULTS

Data from children undergoing appendectomy (n=472) and tonsillectomy (n=466) between 2015 and 2019 were analysed. Some 24.8% (appendectomy) and 20.2% (tonsillectomy) wished they had received more pain treatment in the 24 h after surgery. They reported higher composite pain scores (5.2 [4.8-5.5] vs 3.6 [3.5-3.8]), more pain-related interference, and more adverse events than children not desiring more pain treatment, and they received more opioids after surgery (morphine equivalents (81 [60-102] vs 50 [43-56] μg kg^-1). Regression analysis revealed that pain-related sleep disturbance (appendectomy odds ratio: 2.8 [1.7-4.6], tonsillectomy 3.7 [2.1-6.5]; P<0.001) and higher pain intensities (1.5-fold increase) increased the probability of desiring more pain treatment. There was an inverse association between the number of different classes of non-opioids administered preventively, and the desire for more analgesics postoperatively. Children not receiving any non-opioid analgesics before the end of a tonsillectomy had a 3.5-fold (2.1-6.5-fold) increase in the probability of desiring more pain treatment, compared with children receiving at least two classes of different non-opioid analgesics.

CONCLUSIONS

Preventive administration of at least two classes of non-opioid analgesics is a simple strategy and may improve patient-reported outcomes.

Efficacy of dexamethasone on postoperative analgesia in children undergoing hypospadias repair

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Management of post operative pain in children undergoing hypospadiasis repair, accounts for optimized surgery outcomes and improved patients' satisfaction. Thus, various studies have widely investigated the best approaches for the pain management. In this study our aim was to determine the effect of dexamethasone in combination with penile nerve block on the postoperative pain and complications in the children undergoing hypospadias surgery.

METHODS

In this randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial, after obtaining informed consent from parents or legal guardians, 42 children undergoing surgical treatment of hypospadias were randomized in two groups to receive either IV dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg (n=23) or placebo (normal saline) (n=19) during the operation. Penile block was performed in both groups using Bupivacaine 0.5% (1mg/kg) at the end of the procedure. By the end of the operation, FLACC (Face, Leg, Activity, Cry, Consolability) pain score was assessed as the primary outcome of the study. Secondary outcomes includes timing and episodes of rescue medication consumption, post operative nausea \vomiting and bleeding. All the outcomes were assessed in the recovery room and after 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours.

RESULTS

The median of FLACC pain scores at the recovery room and 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours post operation was 2, 1, 1, 1, and 2 for the dexamethasone group and 8, 8, 7, 7, and 8 for the placebo group respectively. This were significantly different (P<0.000). The median time of first rescue medication consumption was 8 hours post operation for the dexamethasone group and three hours for the placebo group which was significantly different (z= 4.57, p<0.000). The maximum episode of post operative rescue medication consumption in dexamethasone group was 4 episodes in only one patient and the minimum was one episode in 11 patients. In comparison numbers in placebo group were five episodes in seven patients and three episodes in four patients. The result indicated that there was statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of episodes of rescue medication consumption (Chi2= 31.4, p<0.000).

CONCLUSION

Single dose of intravenous dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) in combination with penile block decreased the post operative pain measures, and total post operative analgesic requirement. It also increased the onset of the first analgesic requirement compared to penile block alone.

A randomized-controlled, double-blind comparison of the postoperative analgesic efficacy of caudal bupivacaine and levobupivacaine in minor pediatric surgery

BACKGROUND

We compared the postoperative analgesic efficacy of caudal levobupivacaine with bupivacaine in pediatric subumbilical surgery.

METHODS

Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II patients scheduled for elective minor surgery (1.5-7 years old) were randomly divided into three groups to receive caudal injections of study drugs at 0.5 ml/kg. All patients received 0.1 mg/kg oral midazolam 30 min before surgery. Group B received 0.125% bupivacaine, group L received 0.125% levobupivacaine, and group LF received 0.125% levobupivacaine + 0.5 µg/kg fentanyl. Blood pressure, heart rate and sedation (using a four-scale sedation score) were monitored perioperatively. During the postoperative period, an anesthesiologist blinded to the study groups used the Children's and Infants' Postoperative Pain Scale to monitor patients' pain and degree of sedation. The time before the first rescue analgesic was recorded as well as any side effects over the next 24 h.

RESULTS

The four-scale sedation and postoperative pain scale scores in all groups were identical. Blood pressure and heart rate measured at 15 min postoperatively were lower, and time to first rescue analgesic was longer, in Group LF compared to the others.

CONCLUSIONS

Caudal 0.5 ml/kg of 0.125% bupivacaine and levobupivacaine are equally effective for postoperative analgesia after subumbilical surgeries in pediatric patients. Addition of fentanyl may lower the required amount of local anesthetics.

Ring block with levobupivacaine 0.25% and paracetamol vs. paracetamol alone in children submitted to three different surgical techniques of circumcision: A prospective randomized study

Background:

circumcision in children is a painful procedure. We aim compare the intraoperative and postoperative efficacy of three different surgical procedures of the ring block using levobupivacaine 0.25% combined with rectal paracetamol as opposed to rectal paracetamol alone.

Methods:

the study included 106 boys scheduled to undergo circumcision. The patients were randomly assigned within two groups to receive either ring block with levobupivacaine 0.25% and rectal paracetamol 30 mg/kg, or rectal paracetamol 30 mg/kg alone. The following surgical procedures were performed: sutureless proctoplasty, preputial plasty, and conventional circumcision. The efficacy of intraoperative analgesia was estimated on the basis of increases in heart rate and mean arterial pressure. Postoperatively, children were assessed for pain, pain-free (PF) period, and the total doses of analgesics administered during hospitalization, on the day after discharge, and on the first and second postoperative days.

Results:

all children remained stable during anesthesia. Postoperatively, the mean pain score did not show statistical differences between the groups. Children who received combined analgesia had a longer PF period (P < 0.001). However, the total doses of paracetamol administered during the observational period showed no differences. Children undergoing sutureless prepuceplasty received lower doses of paracetamol postoperatively (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

subcutaneous ring block either with levobupivacaine 0.25% plus rectal paracetamol or rectal paracetamol alone provides adequate intraoperative and postoperative analgesia in circumcised children. However, combined analgesia allows a longer PF period. The need for less analgesic administration in children undergoing sutureless prepuceplasty could mean that the circumcision techniques might be a mitigating factor in terms of pain.

The effects of single-dose rectal midazolam application on postoperative recovery, sedation, and analgesia in children given caudal anesthesia plus bupivacaine

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the effects of rectal midazolam addition after applying bupivacaine and caudal anesthesia on postoperative analgesia time, the need for additional analgesics, postoperative recovery, and sedation and to find out its adverse effects in children having lower abdominal surgery.

METHODS

40 children between 2 and 10 years of ASA I-II were randomized, and they received caudal anesthesia under general anesthesia. Patients underwent the application of caudal block in addition to saline and 1 mL/kg bupivacaine 0.25%. In the postoperative period, Group C (n = 20) was given 5 mL saline, and Group M (n = 20) was given 0.30 mg/kg rectal midazolam diluted with 5 mL saline. Sedation scale and postoperative pain scale (CHIPPS) of the patients were evaluated. The patients were observed for their analgesic need, first analgesic time, and adverse effects for 24 hours.

RESULTS

Demographic and hemodynamic data of the two groups did not differ. Postoperative sedation scores in both groups were significantly lower compared with the preoperative period. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of sedation and sufficient analgesia.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that caudal anesthesia provided sufficient analgesia in peroperative and postoperative periods, and rectal midazolam addition did not create any differences. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02127489.

Persistent hiccups associated with epidural ropivacaine in a newborn

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of persistent hiccups associated with epidural ropivacaine in a newborn infant.

CASE SUMMARY

A term female infant (3.05 kg) received epidural ropivacaine for pain control during and after an operative procedure to correct a tracheoesophageal fistula. Three intermittent doses of ropivacaine were administered during the operative period (total dose 2.29 mg/kg) followed by a continuous epidural (caudal) infusion (0.1% ropivacaine; initial dose 0.23 mg/kg/h plus fentanyl 0.46 μg/kg/h). The infant was extubated in the recovery area and transferred to the intensive care unit. Within hours of transfer, she developed persistent hiccups. The epidural infusion was titrated for pain control, up to 0.32 mg/kg/h (ropivacaine). The hiccup frequency increased to every 10-30 seconds, with the patient appearing hypotonic with lip trembling and intermittent tongue fasciculation. An electroencephalogram did not show any epileptiform activity or focal features consistent with seizure activity. The epidural infusion was reduced to 0.26 mg/kg/h (ropivacaine), with dramatic improvement in hiccups and tone. The infusion was discontinued and complete resolution of hiccups was observed.

DISCUSSION

Ropivacaine is commonly used for infiltration anesthesia and peripheral and epidural block anesthesia. Use of the Naranjo probability scale determined that our patient's hiccups were probably caused by ropivacaine. To our knowledge, this is the first report of persistent hiccups associated with epidural ropivacaine.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should consider the potential of neurotoxicity, manifested as persistent hiccups, when epidural ropivacaine is administered to young infants.

Treatment of pain in children after limb-sparing surgery: an institution's 26-year experience

A significant proportion of patients report long-term pain that is ≥5 on a 0-10 intensity scale after limb-sparing surgery for malignancies of the long bones. Patients experience several distinct types of pain after limb-sparing surgery which constitute a complex clinical entity. This retrospective study examined 26 years of experience in a pediatric institution (1981-2007) in pain management as long as 6 months after limb-sparing surgery and reviewed the historical evolution of pain interventions. One hundred fifty patients underwent 151 limb-salvage surgeries for bone cancer of the extremities in this series. Pain treatment increased progressively in complexity. Therapies included opioids, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, acetaminophen-opioid combinations, postoperative continuous epidural infusion, anticonvulsants and tricyclic antidepressants for neuropathic pain, local anesthetic wound catheters, and continuous peripheral nerve block catheters. Management of pain after limb-sparing surgery has evolved over the 26 years of this review. It currently relies on multiple "layers" of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies to address the complex mixed nociceptive and neuropathic mechanisms of pain in this patient population.