On-table extubation in a low-birth-weight neonate who underwent patent ductus arteriosus ligation under combined general and thoracic epidural anesthesia

Abstract

　Fast-track extubation has been widely used in pediatric cardiac surgical patients. On-table extubation is, however, not well established in such patients, particularly in neonates due to the inherent risk of opioid-induced apnea. In addition, reports on thoracic epidural anesthesia in neonates are scarce. Here, we demonstrate the successful on-table-extubation in a low-birth-weight neonate who underwent ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus under combined general and thoracic epidural anesthesia since the latter offered an excellent analgesia without involving opioids at all.