Intrapleural bupivacaine analgesia: bolus versus continuous infusion technique for postoperative pain relief in children

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of intrapleural bupivacaine administration either by bolus or by continuous infusion methods of postoperative pain relief in children following upper abdominal surgery. The study was carried out on 30 children scheduled for upper abdominal operation and randomly divided into two equal groups. Group A received a single dose of 1.5 mg/kg of 0.25 bupivacaine, while the other group B received 0.125 mg/kg/hr of 0.25% bupivacaine infusion after initial bolus dose of 0.4 mg/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine. The results showed significant decrease in hemodynamic data under designed techniques with significant improvement of respiratory functions. Pain relief score and Prince Henry scale were significantly decreased in both groups with longer periods of postoperative analgesia in group B. Both techniques proved as convenient postoperative safe pain killers in children following upper abdominal surgical interventions. Either methods had its own advantage and disadvantages