1. Length of stay outcomes in patients receiving ketamine sedation versus Bier's block anaesthesia for procedural closed fracture reduction: A retrospective audit of paediatric emergency department patients.
- Author
-
Kwong A, Aldridge ES, Jayawardana R, Brookwick A, Miller J, and Buntine PG
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Closed Fracture Reduction, Emergency Service, Hospital, Humans, Length of Stay, Retrospective Studies, Victoria, Anesthesia, Conduction, Ketamine therapeutic use
- Abstract
Objective: To compare length of stay (LOS) for paediatric patients receiving ketamine sedation or Bier's block anaesthesia for procedural closed fracture reduction., Methods: We conducted a retrospective audit of paediatric ED patients aged 3-18 years presenting at one of three metropolitan hospitals in Victoria, Australia (2012-2017). Outcomes were post-procedural LOS (PPLOS), total LOS, incidence of ketamine and Bier's block procedures, and recorded adverse effects. Groups were compared using t-tests. Association between treatment group and admission to a short stay unit (SSU) was assessed using univariate logistic regression., Results: Across all three sites, 449 patients were included, 379 of whom received ketamine sedation and 73 of whom underwent Bier's block anaesthesia. Mean age was 9.1 years (ketamine group: 8.3 years; Bier's block group: 13.1 years). Median PPLOS was 75 min shorter for patients who received a Bier's block than for those sedated with ketamine (P < 0.001). Patients sedated with ketamine were also 9.01 times more likely to be admitted to an SSU than those who received Bier's block anaesthesia (95% confidence interval 3.82-21.31, P < 0.001). Ketamine sedation was more common than Bier's block across the three sites. No major adverse events occurred in either group., Conclusion: Bier's block anaesthesia is a safe alternative to ketamine sedation for paediatric patients presenting to the ED with closed fractures. It is associated with reduced LOS and need for post-procedural observation. However, ketamine may remain preferable for younger paediatric patients, on whom it places fewer demands for cooperation., (© 2021 Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.)
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF