Introduction Show
Definition of terms Aim Indications Initial assessment Ongoing assessment Special considerations Dermatome distribution (Dermi Boy RCH) Assessing sensory block Assessing motor block Managing complications/troubleshooting Removal Documentation Education Companion documents Links Evidence Table IntroductionRegional anaesthesia (RA) or neuraxial analgesia is the administration of local anaesthetic (LA) into the epidural space through an indwelling catheter. Epidural analgesia has shown to provide better pain relief than parenteral opioids. Children can experience moderate to severe pain post-operatively and is likely to be worse in the first 24-72 hours. Uncontrolled pain can cause stress responses that are detrimental to recovery. RA provides excellent analgesia and reduces surgical stress response while decreasing the need for opioids. RA (epidural) is used for moderate to severe pain. The insertion of the epidural catheter will be determined by the type and site of surgery. This will enable the LA effect to block the nerve impulses associated with the area of spinal nerves innervating the surgical site and giving the best post-operative analgesia. It is important to communicate with families and children about the expectation and sensations of the epidural and why it is important to assess and monitor observations. It is important to understand and identify epidural complications to ensure the safety of the patient and provide effective analgesia. Children and young people who have an epidural analgesia require suitably trained nursing staff to care for them to minimise side effects, complications and ensure analgesia is optimal. Aim
IndicationsEpidurals are used for major surgery to provide the best analgesia with minimal side effects Children who have a physical impairment who may be sensitive to opioids Children who have poor respiratory drive who would be more sensitive to opioids alone Children who have cerebral palsy and experience high muscle tone and undergoing orthopaedic surgery Definition of TermsCentral block
Epidural
Dermatome
Sensory nerve
Local anaesthetic (LA)
Initial AssessmentThe initial assessment of a child with an epidural is in the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) to ensure a base line is documented and the epidural is effective. This will include the prescription and pump setting, the position of the epidural catheter, the sensory block (dermatome spread) and the motor block (Bromage). A pain assessment should also be documented at this time. The sensory block and motor block should be documented in the Flowsheets in EMR, noting the motor block may be dense due to the possible higher concentration of LA given intra operatively. All general post-operative observations, fluids and medications should be checked and documented at this time Any issues with sensory or motor block identified by the PACU nurse should be escalated to the treating anaesthetist and or the In-charge anaesthetist. These issues should be communicated to the CPMS team prior to patient transfer from PACU. Management and Physical AssessmentThe sensory block should be assessed 4 hourly and on the following times
The motor block should be assessed 4 hourly and at the following times
The catheter insertion site should be checked 8 hourly for any redness, tenderness or leaking. If visible the catheter markings should be checked to make sure there has been no movement of the epidural catheter. The dressing should also be checked and reinforced if any tape is lifting The epidural would be expected to last for 3- 4 days unless there are adverse events Pressure carehttps://www.rch.org.au/rchcpg/hospital_clinical_guideline_index/Pressure_injury_prevention_and_management/ The decreased sensation and movement cased by the epidural analgesia may cause nerve compression and pressure areas. Pressure care should be strictly observing susceptible areas such as heels, lateral malleoli and sacrum. Pressure mattresses, and pressure supports should be used and documented. Often children who require epidural anaesthesia are a high risk for pressure acquired injury. However, all children who have an epidural need to be assessed for an individual prevention plan based on the Glamorgan Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Tool. Clinical observationsClinical observations are to continue until the epidural has ceased including hourly sedation, heart rate, respiratory rate, pain score (while awake). Blood pressure and temperature are to be assessed 4 hourly until the epidural has ceased. Ongoing assessmentAny adverse events or concerns about the epidural or patient should be reported to the Children’s Pain Management Service (CPMS) urgently Any clinical observations outside the parameters for age should be reported to CPMS. A fever 38.5 degrees and above must be reported to CPMS urgently Pge 5773 Any changes or increase in pain should be reported to CPMS urgently Any changes in the sensory block becoming high above T3. No block or inadequate to relieve pain should be reported to CPMS Pge 5773 Special considerationsNeonates rarely have epidural analgesia but the main difference is a lower concentration of LA and/or a lower hourly rate and the expected duration is 36 hours Epidurals for children and Neonates information https://www.rch.org.au/anaes/pain_management/Epidural_Infusion/ and Neonatal opioid and epidural competency and Epidural competency at Learning Hero www.rch.org.au/orgdev/HERO/ Dermatome distribution (Dermi Boy RCH)
Assessing Sensory BlockProcedure for assessing the sensory block If the patient is able to understand and report
Patients may report the ice feels warm, the same or colder. NB: If the patient is unable to understand or report due to age or cognition, an assessment should still be performed and documented. While assessing the epidural block, observe for any change in facial expression as the ice is applied, muscle flinching or pushing away. Gentle palpation over the surgical site can also give an impression of comfort if the epidural is effective or pain if the epidural is not effective. Assessing Motor Block
Motor nerves as well as sensory nerves may be affected by LA It is important to assess motor block:
Procedure when assessing motor block
There may be a difference between legs Assess if the patient is able to move their feet or knees prior to the epidural e.g. some children with neuromuscular impairment may not be able to voluntary move and poor pro-perception can also make it difficult Management complications/troubleshootingReport to CPMS Pge 5773 urgently if
The three groups of problems associated with epidurals 1. Complications related to epidural catheter insertionHeadache (post dural puncture headache) If the epidural needle has inadvertently penetrated the dura and there is a CSF leak the patient may experience a low- pressure headache. This may not be evident until the patient mobilises. This is a very low incidence and most cases improve spontaneously. Conservative treatment is rest, fluids, analgesia and rarely a blood patch (autologous blood inserted into the epidural space). (Anaesthetic procedure) Back pain This is usually at the insertion site, it is common and transient. Moderate to severe
back pain must be reported to CPMS urgently for investigation 2. Complications related to epidural drugs
3. Complications related to pain
Lumber epiduralsChildren and young people who have lower limb surgery will have a lumber epidural and as this area innervates the urinary bladder it is important for the child/young person to have an indwelling urinary catheter inserted while in theatre. This will need to stay in until the epidural infusion
has ceased. Removal of the epiduralAt the same time the epidural infusion has ceased it is important to give other prescribed analgesia to ensure pain management is optimised as the LA wears off over the next 4-6 hours. Removal of the epidural catheter is performed using standard aseptic technique
Documentation
After the removal of epidural analgesia IV or/and oral analgesia will be needed as regular and PRN to ensure the patient is able to continue recovery. Education needsAll families are given an epidural information card from CPMS outlining any issues to be concerned about once they have gone home A contact telephone number for RCH and CPMS is provided for the family if they have any ongoing concerns. Companion Documents
Links
Evidence TableYou can view the evidence table for this nursing guideline here. Please remember to read the disclaimer. The development of this nursing guideline was coordinated by Sueann Penrose, Registered Nurse, Anaesthesia & Pain Management, and approved by the Nursing Clinical Effectiveness Committee. First published June 2020. |