Ultrasound-Guided Multilevel Bilateral Rectus Sheath Blocks with Liposomal Bupivacaine, Bupivacaine, and Dexamethasone PF for Postoperative Pain Management After a Pediatric Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are exceedingly rare in pediatric patients but carry a significant risk of rupture, necessitating urgent surgical repair. Postoperative pain management following open AAA repair is particularly challenging and ultrasound-guided rectus sheath blocks (RSBs) offer a targeted and lower-risk alternative for midline abdominal incisions. <b>Methods</b>: We present an 8-year-old male who underwent open infrarenal AAA repair. Multilevel bilateral ultrasound-guided RSBs were performed at T7, the umbilicus and T12 using a mixture of liposomal bupivacaine, bupivacaine, and dexamethasone preservative free (PF). <b>Results</b>: Postoperative pain scores remained consistently low through postoperative day (POD) 6, with minimal opioid requirements. Functional recovery was rapid, with sitting achieved by POD 1 and ambulation by POD 2. Plasma bupivacaine concentrations remained within safe limits throughout hospitalization. <b>Conclusions</b>: Multilevel bilateral RSBs with liposomal bupivacaine, bupivacaine, and dexamethasone PF provided prolonged opioid-sparing analgesia, facilitated early mobilization, and supported enhanced recovery in this complex pediatric surgical case.
Authors
- Tyler Augi
- Mihaela Visoiu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0933-4536)
Institutions
- University of Pittsburgh (US)
- Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Children
- Published
- 2025-10-25
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/children12111450
- Primary Topic
- Aortic aneurysm repair treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00