Introduction. Ultrasound guided lower limb peripheral nerve blocks are
efficient for perioperative pain treatment in children. The aim was to see if
lower limb peripheral nerve blocks reduced the amount of propofol and opioid
analgesics used intraoperatively, as well as the level of pain and
consumption of systemic analgesics postoperatively. Material and Methods. A
randomized, prospective clinical trial was carried out. It included 60
children between 11 and 18 years of age scheduled for elective knee
arthroscopy. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A received
general anesthesia, group B received lower limb peripheral nerve blocks with
sedation or general anesthesia. Postoperative level of pain was assessed
using visual analogue scale. Results. Less propofol and fentanyl was used to
induce and maintain anesthesia in group B (p<0.001). The level of
postoperative pain was significantly lower in group B (p<0.001), as well as
the postoperative consumption of analgesics (p<0.001). As mahbny as 47% of
the patients were discharged without receiving any analgesics
postoperatively. The average duration of peripheral nerve blocks was 468
minutes. Conclusions. Ultrasound guided lower limb peripheral nerve blocks
are an efficient technique of regional anesthesia in children. They reduce
the amount of general anesthetics and opioid analgesics needed
intraoperatively as well as the level of postoperative pain and consumption
of analgesics postoperatively.
Liposome bupivacaine in peripheral nerve blocks and epidural injections to manage postoperative pain
