Intercostal nerve block with bupivacaine for post-thoracotomy pain relief in children

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of Intercostal Nerve B lock (ICB) with Bupivacaine (BLIP) to produce satisfactory analgesia after thoracotomy in children. We studied 20 children aged between 5 and 12 years, scheduled for thoracoto my under general anaesthesia. The children were randomly divided into two g roups. In the first group (n=10) 3mg/kg BUP 0.5% with epinephrine 1:200000 was injected by the surgeon under direct vision, into the intercostal space where thoracotomy was performed. In the control group (n=10) meperidine 1 mg/kg was administered Lv. at the same surgical time, and afterwards the ch est was closed. Postoperatively the vital signs, the side effects and the t otal postoperative analgesic requirements were recorded. The mean duration of postoperative analgesia produced was longer In the BUP group (p<0.001). None of the children in BLIP group suffered from BLIP tox icity, while in the control group a high incidence of vomiting and nausea w as noticed (p<0.005). it is concluded that ICB with BLIP produces satisfact ory and safe analgesia for the early postoperative period after thoracotomy in children.