Cardiothoracic & vascular anesthesia
Effect of Intraoperative Regional Anesthesia on Postoperative Outcomes in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery—A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Pooled result · Pain score (MOPS) and duration of mechanical ventilationResult — go to the resultMD −48 min CI −60 to −36Authors' conclusion
Our meta-analysis demonstrates that regional anesthesia in pediatric cardiac surgery reduces postoperative pain, as measured by pain scores and postoperative opioid consumption, leads to shorter mechanical ventilation and PICU stays.
Study context
- Population
- Pediatric patients (0–17 years) having cardiac surgery via midline sternotomy
- Participants
- 1,055 patients · 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Comparison
- Adjuvant RA vs GA
- Outcome
- Pain relief (any documented pain score) and duration of mechanical ventilation
Methodological detailsparallel-group RCTs regardless of blinding
- Parallel-group RCTs regardless of blinding
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Pain score (MOPS) and duration of mechanical ventilation
MD
−48 min
CI −60 to −36
Regional anesthesia vs General anesthesia
MD −48 min (CI −60 to −36)
- Pain scores (Modified Objective Pain Scale (MOPS)) lower during first 24 h postoperatively, MD
- −0.76 (−1.19 to −0.32) (CI)
Further pooled results
Postoperative cumulative opioid consumption (morphine equivalents)
- Opioid consumption 0.21 mg/kg lower, MD
- −0.21 (−0.30 to −0.11) (CI)
Safety
- No complications related to RA reported
Original publication
Effect of Intraoperative Regional Anesthesia on Postoperative Outcomes in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery—A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Paediatr Anaesth. Published 25 May 2026. doi:10.
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