title: Peripheral nerve catheters in children: an analysis of safety and practice patterns from the pediatric regional anesthesia network (PRAN).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peripheral nerve catheters (PNCs) are used with increasing frequency in children. Although adult studies have demonstrated safety with this technique, there have been few safety studies in children. The main objective of the current investigation was to examine the incidence of PNC complications in children undergoing surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is an observational, multi-institutional study using the Pediatric Regional Anesthesia Network (PRAN) database. Data pertaining to PNCs were entered prospectively into a secure, online database by each participating centre. Patient characteristics, anatomic location, localization techniques, medications used, and complications were recorded for each catheter. All complications and any sequelae were followed until resolution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 2074 PNCs included in the study. 251 adverse events and complications were recorded, resulting in an overall incidence (95% CI) of complications of 12.1% (10.7-13.5%). The most common complications were catheter malfunction, block failure, infection, and vascular puncture. There were no reports of persistent neurologic problems, serious infection, or local anaesthetic systemic toxicity, resulting in an estimated incidence (95% CI) of 0.04% (0.001-0.2%). Patients who developed an infection had used the catheters for a greater number of days, median (IQR) of 4.5 (3-7) days compared with 3 (1-3) days in the patients who did not develop an infection, P<0.0001.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data support the safety of placing PNCs in children, with adverse event rates similar to adult studies. Catheter problems are common, yet minor, in severity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, American Family Children's Hospital, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA g-jr@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: De Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, University of Texas Southwestern and Children's Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA Outcome Research Consortium, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Szmuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, University of Texas Southwestern and Children's Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA Outcome Research Consortium, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Setiawan
authors.affiliation: Departments of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Polaner
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suresh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D057785:Catheters / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: analgesia; catheter; children; complication; nerve; paediatrics; pain