Study finds non-narcotic nerve block controls children's pain, shortens hospital stays

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-05/mc-sfn051016.php

Public Release: 15-May-2016
Study finds non-narcotic nerve block controls children's pain, shortens hospital stays
Mayo Clinic

A congenital condition called pectus excavatum, in which a child's breastbone is sunken into the chest, can be corrected through minimally invasive surgery, but pain control after the operation can be a challenge. A Mayo Clinic study has found an effective way to control pain and reduce opioid painkiller use after surgery: sending children home with catheters that infuse a non-narcotic nerve-blocking drug called a paravertebral blockade. Use of the blocks shortens hospital stays and reduces opioid use after surgery, the researchers discovered. The findings were presented at the American Pediatric Surgical Association annual meeting in San Diego.

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