Lumbar and thoracic epidural in Pediatrics-Technical aspect

The midline approach is most commonly used.

The ligamentum flavum is considerably thinner and less dense in infants than in older children and adults. This makes recognition of engagement in the ligament more difficult and requires both extra care and slower, more deliberate passage of the needle to avoid subarachnoid puncture.

The angle of approach to the epidural space is slightly more perpendicular to the plane of the back than in older children and adults, owing to the orientation of the spinous processes in infants and small children.

The loss of resistance technique should be used, but only with saline, not air. There are several reports of venous air embolism in infants and children when air was used to test for loss of resistance

Use a short (5 cm) 18-gauge Tuohy needle and a 20- or 21-gauge catheter in infants and children.

Epidural kits specifically for infants and children are available

Maximum of 0.4 mg/kg/hr of bupivacaine after the initial block is established, with this dose reduced by 30% for infants younger than 6 months of age.

practice of anesthesia for infants and children-page 879

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power injectable peripherally inserted central catheters

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