Safety of post-operative epidural analgesia in the paediatric population: A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Epidural infusion analgesia (EIA) is among the common procedures performed in children to provide analgesia. However, the administration of epidural is not without complications. Limited studies are available regarding the safety of EIA in children with no studies from the Indian subcontinent. The aim of this study was to analyse all the complications that occured during administration and maintenance of EIA in paediatric patients. METHODS: All children undergoing elective or emergency surgeries under general anaesthesia and given concomitant epidural analgesia for post-operative pain management were included. Data were collected by reviewing patient medical records, anaesthesia registers and post-operative intensive care unit charts. Statistical averages were drawn to assess the complication rates. RESULTS: Seventy children received epidural analgesia during the span of study, of them five were neonates and fifteen were infants. No major complications that were life-threatening or leading to permanent disability were documented. Two children (2.85%) had blood tap during procedure. Eleven children (15%) had peri-catheter leaks and 14 children (20%) had catheter dislodgements. CONCLUSION: EIA seems to be a relatively safe method of providing analgesia. It is associated with the occurrence of complications which are at best temporary.