Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Aug 2013
Comparative StudyPeri-operative pain management in children with cerebral palsy: comparative efficacy of epidural vs systemic analgesia protocols.
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) is the only surgical intervention with class I evidence supporting permanent reduction in spasticity for children with cerebral palsy (Paediatr Anaesth, 12, 2002, 296; Neurosurg Focus, 21, 2006, e2). Postoperatively, adequate analgesia can be difficult to achieve (J Neurosurg, 105, 2006, 8; Childs Nerv Syst, 17, 2001, 556; Pediatr Neurosurg, 43, 2007, 107; Anesth Analg, 79, 1994, 340; Reg Anesth Pain Med, 24, 1999, 438; Pediatr Anesth, 19, 2009, 1213). This study examines a novel regimen utilizing the combination of epidurally infused ropivacaine - hydromorphone and scheduled ketorolac. This regimen was compared to a protocol utilizing systemic fentanyl and diazepam. ⋯ Epidural analgesia resulted in substantial improvements in pain control and safety. The data supports the superiority of a multimodal analgesia approach centered on epidural analgesia. A similar protocol should be considered following simple laminectomies or procedures associated with lower-extremity muscle spasm.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Aug 2013
Controlled rapid sequence induction and intubation - an analysis of 1001 children.
Classic rapid sequence induction puts pediatric patients at risk of cardiorespiratory deterioration and traumatic intubation due to their reduced apnea tolerance and related shortened intubation time. A 'controlled' rapid sequence induction and intubation technique (cRSII) with gentle facemask ventilation prior to intubation may be a safer and more appropriate approach in pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the benefits and complications of cRSII in a large cohort. ⋯ Controlled RSII with gentle facemask ventilation prior to intubation supports stable cardiorespiratory conditions for securing the airway in children with an expected or suspected full stomach. Pulmonary aspiration does not seem to be significantly increased.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Aug 2013
ReviewLow-dose ketamine as a potential adjuvant therapy for painful vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease.
The hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD) is the acute painful vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Among SCD patients, vaso-occlusive pain episodes vary in frequency and severity. Some patients rarely have painful crises, while others are admitted to the hospital multiple times in a year for parenteral analgesics. ⋯ Low-dose ketamine, by virtue of its NMDA receptor agonist activity, could be a useful adjuvant to opioid therapy in patients with refractory SCD-related pain. Based on limited studies of adjuvant ketamine use for pain management, low-dose ketamine continuous infusion appears safe. Further clinical investigations are warranted to fully support the use of low-dose ketamine infusion in patients with SCD-related pain.