Regional Anesthesia Following Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

This is a single center, randomized, double blind investigation which will compare postoperative pain control indices, functional recovery metrics and patient/parental satisfaction for pediatric patients receiving an ultrasound guided regional anesthetic versus surgeon delivered wound infiltration in children undergoing primary atrial and ventricular septal defect repairs. Surgical and anesthesia care, with the exception of the technique of local anesthetic administration, are not altered for study purposes. Subjects are randomized 1:1 to either bilateral Pecto-Intercostal Fascial Block and unilateral Rectus Sheath Block or infiltration of the wound through the perioperative period. Both interventions will use an equal volume of Ropivacaine 0.2% based on weight. Exploratory data will be collected for up to 30 days postoperatively.

Inclusion criteria

• Children less than 18 years old
• Presenting for primary atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect repair
• Informed consent / assent provided

Exclusion criteria

• Patients on opioid therapy at the time of surgery
• History of sternotomy
• Planned postoperative intubation
• Current diagnosis of a chronic pain syndrome.