Newer nerve blocks in pediatric surgery

• Published in: Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology Vol. 33; no. 4; pp. 447 - 463
• Main Authors: Kaye, Alan D., Green, Jeremy B., Davidson, Kelly S., Gennuso, Sonja A., Brown, Morgan L., Pinner, Allison M., Renschler, Jordan S., Cramer, Kelsey D., Kaye, Rachel J., Cornett, Elyse M., Helmstetter, John A., Urman, Richard D., Fox, Charles J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2019
• Subjects: Anesthesia, Conduction - adverse effects; Anesthesia, Conduction - methods; Anesthetics, Local - administration & dosage; Anesthetics, Local - adverse effects; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Nerve Block - adverse effects; Nerve Block - methods; nerve blocks; Pain, Postoperative - diagnostic imaging; Pain, Postoperative - prevention & control; pediatric; pediatric regional anesthesia; regional anesthesia; Ultrasonography, Interventional - methods; nerve blocks; pediatric regional anesthesia; regional anesthesia; pediatric
• ISSN: 1521-6896; 1532-169X; 1878-1608
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bpa.2019.06.006

The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a brief discussion of the current direction in pediatric regional anesthesia, highlighting both newer nerve blocks and techniques and traditional nerve blocks. The number of nerve blocks performed in pediatric patients continues to increase. This growth is likely related in part to the recent focus on perioperative multimodal analgesia, in addition to growing data demonstrating safety and efficacy in this patient population. Multiple studies by the Pediatric Regional Anesthesia Network (PRAN) and the French-Language Society of Pediatric Anesthesiologists (ADARPEF) have demonstrated lack of major complications and general overall safety with pediatric nerve blocks. The growing prevalence of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia has not only improved the safety profile, but also increased the efficacy of both peripheral nerve blocks and perineural catheters. As the push for multimodal analgesia increases and the breadth of pediatric regional anesthesia continues to expand, further large prospective studies will be needed to demonstrate continued efficacy and overall safety.