European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Epidural anesthesia is a technique for perioperative pain management with multiple applications in anesthesiology. It is useful as a primary aesthetic, Aside from the benefit of potentially providing excellent analgesia, its use reduces the exposure to other anesthetics and analgesics, decreasing side effects. It has also shown to decrease cortisol levels, expedite the return of bowel function, decrease the incidence of PE and DVT in the post-operative period, and shorten lengths of in-hospital stay. Present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of epidural anesthesia with 0.25% bupivcacine for lower abdominal surgeries and its effect on blood pressure and SPO2. Present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of epidural anesthesia with 0.25%bupivcacine for lower abdominal surgeries and its effect on blood pressure and SPO2. Methods: We evaluated the characteristics of epidural block including onset, duration of action, hemodynamic changes, ease of performance, efficacy, adverse effects and complication in 50 children aged between 4 to 14 years.  The epidural block was performed in lateral position with 19G Tuohy's needle in L4-L5 space and 19 G epidural catheter was threaded after detecting the ES by LOR technique. The dose of 0.25% bupivacaine was age in years/10 per spinal segment (> 10 yrs) and I ml/kg up to 20ml (< 10 yrs). Results: Efficacy, safety, and ease of performance were satisfactory in most children. The mean diastolic blood pressure showed statistically significant decreases starting from 5th min after administration of epidural anesthesia. This decrease was maintained till about 45 min and subsequently started increasing from 60th min onwards. The mean SP02 showed a statistically significant increase from 5 min and was maintained throughout the study period. All patients had received supplemental oxygen through mask throughout the study period. Conclusion:  Epidural anesthesia with 0.25% hyperbaric bupivacaine in the appropriate dosage is a safe technique in pediatric patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries and its effect on blood pressure and SPO2 is satisfactory.