Audit of extrapleural local anaesthetic infusion in neonates following repair of tracheo-oesophageal fistulae and oesophageal atresia via thoracotomy

Abstract

In order to reduce postoperative opioid requirement, extrapleural local anaesthetic infusion dosing recommendations and guidelines for extrapleural catheter insertion were developed in our institution for 'extubatable' neonates requiring short-gap neonatal tracheo-oesophageal fistula/oesophageal atresia repair (via thoracotomy) and audited prospectively. Data audited included patient characteristics, analgesia details and ventilation duration. We divided patients into two groups: group 1 - term patients (≥36 weeks gestational age) with birth-weights ≥2.5 kg; group 2 - pre-term patients (<36 weeks gestational age), with birth weights <2.5 kg and those with co-morbidities. There were 26 neonat..