ABSTRACT
Optimal pain management can significantly impact the surgical outcome and length of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Regional anesthesia is an effective alternative that can be used in both term and preterm neonates. A variety of neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks have been used for specific surgical and NICU procedures. Ultrasound guidance has increased the feasibility of using these techniques in neonates. Education and training staff in the use of continuous epidural infusions are important prerequisites for successful implementation of regional anesthesia in NICU management protocols.
Subject(s)
Anesthesia, Conduction/methods , Pain Management/methods , Anesthesia, Caudal/economics , Anesthesia, Caudal/methods , Anesthesia, Conduction/economics , Anesthesia, Epidural/economics , Anesthesia, Epidural/methods , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Nerve Block/economics , Nerve Block/methods , Pain Management/economicsABSTRACT
Therapeutic caudal block was applied as primary treatment to 81 consecutive patients. The 26 who were completely relieved of symptoms were older, were predominantly women, and usually had had no previous surgery. Multiple blocks were required in some, but there were no complications. Because considerable financial benefit accrued to the patients whose pain was relieved, therapeutic caudal block is suggested as primary treatment for back or back and leg pain, particularly in older patients not previously operated on.
