Evaluation of prolonged epidural chloroprocaine for postoperative analgesia in infants

• We assess infants receiving prolonged chloroprocaine infusions postoperatively.
• We describe dosing and duration of epidural chloroprocaine for analgesia.
• Chloroprocaine was used with minimal adverse events in infants postoperatively.

Study ObjectiveTo describe the use and adverse effects of chloroprocaine for epidural analgesia in young infants for infusion durations greater than 3.5 hours.DesignA retrospective cohort review of the electronic medical record over a 14-month period.SettingThe level IV neonatal intensive care unit of a 414-bed free-standing children's hospital.PatientsEighteen infants (mean age, 1.7 ± 1.8 months [0.03-6.3]; mean weight, 3.8 ± 1.3 kg [1.56-6.9]; n = 10 [55%] males) received 1% chloroprocaine for epidural analgesia postoperatively for up to 96-hour duration and met criteria for inclusion.MeasurementsDosing requirements, placement of epidural catheter, supplementary analgesic therapy, respiratory support, vital signs, and incidence of adverse events associated with local anesthetics were collected.Main ResultsEpidural catheter placement was caudal (n = 8), lumbar (n = 6), or thoracic (n = 4). Mean operative time was 2.48 ± 1 hour (1-5). Initial chloroprocaine dose was 1.3 ± 0.5 mL/h (0.4-2.5) (3.5 ± 1 mg/kg per hour [1.4-5]) with a maximum dose of 1.5 ± 0.6 mL/h (0.4-3) (4.2 ± 1.1 mg/kg per hour [2.2-6.1]). Duration of epidural analgesia was 48.3 ± 21.5 hours (10-96). Duration of epidural infusion did not influence dosing requirement, suggesting the absence of drug tachyphylaxis. All patients received intermittent doses of opioid and nonopioid pain medications while receiving chloroprocaine. Two mechanically ventilated patients required continuous infusion of opioids. No adverse events were directly attributed to chloroprocaine use.ConclusionEpidural 1% chloroprocaine, in doses of 0.4-3 mL/h (1.5-6.1 mg/kg per hour), was well tolerated in both mechanically ventilated and spontaneously breathing infants for up to 96 hours with no identified adverse effects or tachyphylaxis.