Continuous infusion of lidocaine through the incision has been suggested as adjunctive therapy in the management of postoperative pain in adult patients. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of continuous subcutaneous infusion of lidocaine in pediatric patients following open-heart surgery. All patients who received a subcutaneous lidocaine infusion at the midline of the sternum incision after open heart surgery for 2 consecutive years were included in the study. A historical patient group was used as a control group. Demographic variables (age, height, and surgical procedure), variables related to sedation and analgesia (COMFORT and analgesia scale, drug dose and duration), and complications were analyzed. Record 106 patients in the lidocaine infusion group and 79 patients in the control group were included. Incisional analgesia was effective in treating pain by reducing the dose and duration of intravenous fentanyl administration (odds ratio (OR) 6.26, 95% confidence interval respectively. The reduction in fentanyl consumption was greater in children over two years of age. Adverse events were observed in three children (2.8%): all of them had decreased consciousness and one of them also had seizures. Two of these three patients had lidocaine levels above 2 mcg/mL. Continuous infusion of lidocaine into the incision is effective for the treatment of pain following open heart surgery.
KeywordsAppendix Surgery; Arthroscopic Knee; Colorectal Surgery; Endometriosis Surgery
Published Date: 2023-04-28; Received Date: 2023-04-03
