1. CONTINUOUS EPIDURAL INFUSIONS
How will my child be monitored?
What are the benefits of an epidural infusion?
PEDIATRIC
CONTINUOUS EPIDURAL INFUSIONS
The nurses will monitor your child every hour including their heart rate and breathing patterns
Before your child gets up, the nurse will monitor his / her movement as the freezing agent can make your child’s legs feel “heavy” and slightly numb
The doctors will visit your child during the day and will monitor the effect of the pain medication and the possible side effects
Side effects that can be treated may include nausea, vomiting, mild itchiness and difficulty urinating
The epidural can give steady pain relief so that your child is more comfortable. Lower doses of medication can be given. The risks and benefits are considered before a decision is made about epidural management.
The doctor (anesthetist) will place the catheter while your child is sedated or asleep in the operating room.
If you have any questions about epidural anesthesia, the anesthetist will be pleased to discuss them with you
Reference:
McCaffrey, M. & Pasero, C. (1999) Pain: Clinical Manual. Mosby, Inc.
Form No. P5311E
Created Jan 03

2. What is a continuous epidural infusion?
Why is this method being chosen?
It is a method of pain control for your child
A small tube (catheter) is placed temporarily in your child’s back near the nerves that sense pain
The medication is given every hour into the area by a syringe on a specially programmed pump
The doctor (anesthestist) can give “extra” medication through the tube if your child is feeling more pain
A continuous epidural infusion will provide a steady amount of medication so that better pain control is possible
The EPIDURAL allows for the pain medication to act on the nerves that send pain messages to the brain and the freezing agent numbs the area and makes it less painful
Used together, lower amounts of both medications can be given with less side effects
Your child should be comfortable and able to move sooner after surgery
How long will the epidural infusion be used?
The epidural will be used for short-term pain control usually for days or until oral medications can be taken
Before the epidural is removed, your child will be started on other medications to control pain
What kind of medication is used?
The pump can give a freezing agent (local anesthetic) alone, a pain medication alone or both together
The medications are given based upon your child’s weight