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Intervertebral Epidural Anesthesia in 2,050 Infants and Children Using the Drip and Tube Method
  1. Yoshiko Osaka, M.D. and
  2. Masao Yamashita, M.D.
  1. From the Department of Anesthesiology, Ibaraki Children’s Hospital, Mito, Japan.
  1. Reprint requests: Masao Yamashita, M.D., Department of Anesthesiology, Ibaraki Children’s Hospital, 3-3-1 Futaba-dai, Mito, 311-4145, Japan. E-mail: myamashita{at}med.email.ne.jp

Abstract

Background and Objectives Pediatric epidural anesthesia has increased in popularity in the last 2 decades, but its success rate and the frequency of complications has not been fully elucidated. We therefore reviewed our experience with 2,050 cases of epidural anesthesia in infants and children.

Methods We recorded the number of attempts at epidural space location, complications, and effectiveness in 2,050 cases of single-shot sacral intervertebral, lumbar, and thoracic epidural anesthesia. We used the drip and tube method for identification of the epidural space and administration of local anesthetic solution.

Results The overall rate of successful epidural block and epidural space location on the first attempt was 96.4% and 89.8%, respectively. Complications included uncomplicated dural penetration (0.54%), spinal anesthesia (0.05%), bloody tap (0.34%), and intravascular injection (0.20%). Complications were more frequent in patients ≤10 kg body weight. There were no permanent neurological sequelae.

Conclusions Intervertebral epidural anesthesia using the “drip and tube” method is safe and practical in infants and children. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2003;28:103-107.

  • Complications
  • Epidural anesthesia
  • Infants
  • Children

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Footnotes

  • Presented in part at International Anesthesia Research Society 74th Clinical and Scientific Congress, March 14, 2000, Honolulu, HI.

    This work was performed at the Department of Anesthesiology, Ibaraki Children’s Hospital, Mito, Japan.