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Open Access 15-02-2025 | Pediatric Cardiac Surgery | Review

Regional anesthesia for pediatric cardiac surgery: a review

Authors: Burhan Dost, Alessandro De Cassai, Sara Amaral, Eleonora Balzani, Yunus Emre Karapinar, Müzeyyen Beldagli, Mirac Selcen Ozkal Yalin, Esra Turunc, Ali Ahiskalioglu, Serkan Tulgar

Published in: BMC Anesthesiology | Issue 1/2025

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Abstract

Background

Effective pain management in pediatric cardiac surgery is essential for optimizing postoperative outcomes and promoting faster recovery. While intravenous analgesia remains a standard approach, regional anesthesia (RA) techniques have gained attention in this population due to their analgesic efficacy, reduced dependence on systemic opioids, and enhanced hemodynamic stability.

Main Body

This article provides an overview of current evidence of RA techniques for pediatric cardiac surgery. We discuss the role of RA in pediatric pain management, outlining various techniques, such as epidural, paravertebral block, fascial plane blocks and their specific applications, clinical outcomes, and the challenges posed by pediatric anatomy and pharmacokinetics. Pain assessment in pediatric populations and the complications associated with RA are also explored.

Conclusion

Despite the demonstrated efficacy of RA in this patient group, there is a need for large-scale randomized multicenter studies to establish standardized protocols and strengthen the evidence base for its use in pediatric cardiac surgery.
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Metadata
Title
Regional anesthesia for pediatric cardiac surgery: a review
Authors
Burhan Dost
Alessandro De Cassai
Sara Amaral
Eleonora Balzani
Yunus Emre Karapinar
Müzeyyen Beldagli
Mirac Selcen Ozkal Yalin
Esra Turunc
Ali Ahiskalioglu
Serkan Tulgar
Publication date
15-02-2025

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