Pharmacokinetics and analgesic effect of ropivacaine following ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block in children.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to investigate the efficacy, tolerance and pharmacokinetics of ropivavcaine when administered for ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric block in children.


METHODS
We examined the pharmacokinetics and analgesic efficacy after ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block with 3 mg.kg-1 ropivacaine 5 mg.ml-1 in 22 children, aged 1-12 years, who were scheduled for inguinal surgery. Sixteen of 22 patients had a postoperative pain score < 4 (Objective Pain Scale). Nine children were given supplementary analgesics during the first six postoperative hours.


RESULTS
The peak plasma concentration of total ropivacaine was 1.50 +/- 0.93 mg.l-1 (mean +/- SD) (range 0.64-4.77 mg.l-1) 15-64 min after the injection. The peak plasma concentration of free ropivacaine was 0.05 +/- 0.03 mg.l-1 (0.02-0.14 mg.l-1), which is well below the threshold for toxicity in adults. The terminal half-life was 2.0 +/- 0.7 h. No safety concerns or symptoms suggestive of systemic toxicity were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
A dose of 3 mg.kg-1 of ropivacaine given as a single ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block in 1-12-year-old children provides satisfactory postoperative pain relief, and is well tolerated.
Dalens
B
B
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Clermont Ferrand, France.
Ecoffey
C
C
Joly
A
A
Giaufré
E
E
Gustafsson
U
U
Huledal
G
G
Larsson
L E
LE
D000577:Amides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009407:Nerve Block; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D006848:Testicular Hydrocele / Q000601:surgery*
D000577:Amides; D000700:Analgesics; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine