Decrease in Residual Neurological Symptoms After Institutional Changes in Peripheral Nerve Block Use for Pediatric Knee Surgery

Background: Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) have recently been associated with a higher incidence of complications than previously thought. We compared: (1) incidence of PNB-related residual neurological symptoms and (2) patient selection, operative practices, and anesthesia practices for pediatric knee surgery patients before and after changes in PNB administration at our institution. Methods: We compared data from pediatric patients who underwent knee surgery with PNBs from 2014 to 2016 (cohort 1; 100 patients) or 2017 to 2019 (cohort 2; 104 patients). Cohort 2 was treated after PNB administration was limited to a dedicated anesthesia block team at our institution. We used t tests and χ2 tests, with an α level of 0.05. Results: The incidence of PNB-related neurological complications was lower in cohort 2 (0.96%;) than cohort 1 (6%) (P=0.045). The 1 complication in cohort 2 was numbness proximal to the knee. Cohort 1 had 5 cases of numbness proximal to the knee and 1 case of neuropathic pain upon palpation of the PNB site. The proportion of female patients was greater in cohort 2 (57%) than cohort 1 (36%) (P=0.01); age and body mass index did not differ between cohorts. In cohort 2, the mean operating time was longer, and tourniquets were used more frequently (both, P
Source: Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: Sports Medicine Source Type: research