Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: January | Volume: 10 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 43-48
Continuous Epidural Catheter for Analgesia-Risk and Incidence of Infection in Pediatric Population Undergoing Surgeries
Ravikanth Pula1, Swathi Suravaram2*, Nagarjuna Thakur1, Suhasini Gazula3, Sunanda Gooty1, Prathyusha1
1Department of Anesthesiology, ESIC Medical College, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad, Telangana
2Department of Microbiology, ESIC Medical College, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad, Telangana
3Department of Pediatric Surgery, ESIC Superspeciality Hospital, BK Guda, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad, Telangana
*Corresponding Author: Swathi Suravaram
ABSTRACT
Medical studies reported a considerable increase in epidural catheter associated infections in recent times especially in low and middle income countries. Estimating the rates of infection at primary level is complex, because of insufficient study material and diverse clinical conditions of large pediatric populations. Therefore an attempt has been made to explore the infection diversity considering available limited pediatric population. Though sample size is concise the results are localized and interpreted based on the real time primary data. A prospective study of 200 patients belongs to pediatric age group (0-18 yrs) undergoing various surgeries during a span of one year is conducted and studied for the incidence of epidural catheter associated infection and risk. A result of more than three days of epidural catheter placement is showing 75% of infection risk. The single incident of infection in suspected patient was with Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, based on the regional primary data, it is evidentially concluded that the risk of epidural catheter associated infection in the given area and point of time is almost negligible. Nevertheless more localized studies with varied pediatric populations and diverse hygienic conditions may help in understanding more about the incidence of the infection.
Key words: Analgesia, Epidural catheter, Staphylococcus aureus, Infection rate