[Contribution of continuous peridural analgesia to neo-natal surgery].

UNLABELLED: Continuous epidural analgesia is an common technique in neo-natal surgery. It will be possible with a fitting material. Principal indications are: omphalocele, gastroschisis, oesophagol atresia an diagphragmatic hernia.

TECHNIQUE: our protocol has been approved by the Regional Ethical Committee and informed written consent has been obtained from parents. General anaesthesia was induced and children were placed in lateral position. After skin preparation, the interspace L 3-L 4 has been punctured to identify the epidural space by loss of resistance. An epidural catheter (19 to 27 G) has been placed. 0.5 ml.kg-1 of 0.25% bupivacaine have been immediately injected, followed by a continuous injection of 0.3 ml.kg-1h-1 of the same bupivacaine. Epidural has been kept for four to five days.

ADVANTAGES: very good analgesia; abdominal and vascular pressures decreased; to wean from respirator very quickly. No accident was founded.