Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paralytic poliomyelitis, Reye syndrome, Hemophilus Influenzae type B epiglottitis, bacterial meningitis, and meningococcal septic shock are catastrophic illnesses that in the last 60 years have shaped the development of pediatric intensive care. Neurocritical care has been at the forefront of our thinking and, more latterly, as a specialty we have had the technology and means to develop this focus, educate the next generation and show that outcomes can be improved-first in adult critical care and now the task is to translate these benefits to critically ill children. In our future we will need to advance interventions in patient care with clinical trials. MeSH terms: Neurocritical care; child; traumatic brain injury; status epilepticus; cerebrovascular.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2014
ReviewIntraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in pediatric neurosurgery.
The use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) in pediatric neurosurgery is not new; however, its application to a wider range of procedures is a relatively new development. The purpose of this article is to review the physiology underlying the commonly employed IONM modalities and to describe their application to a subset of pediatric neurosurgical procedures.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2014
ReviewEndoscopic pediatric neurosurgery: implications for anesthesia.
Endoscopic surgery is increasingly utilized in neurosurgery for all pediatric age groups. Endoscopic intraventricular neurosurgery represents a unique approach to intracranial pathology but may cause a unique set of limitations and potential complications. Important endoscopic neurosurgical techniques and their indications, perioperative anesthesia management, complications, and success rates are reviewed with special emphasis on endoscopic third ventriculostomy and endoscopic-assisted strip craniectomy in early infancy. Despite encouraging short- and long-term results of early pediatric endoscopic neurosurgery, multicenter randomized studies will be needed to further determine safety and the effect on cognitive development and quality of life.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2014
ReviewBleeding management for pediatric craniotomies and craniofacial surgery.
Pediatric patients when undergoing craniotomies and craniofacial surgery may potentially have significant blood loss. The amount and extent will be dictated by the nature of the surgical procedure, the proximity to major blood vessels, and the age, and weight of the patient. ⋯ This article will highlight the pertinent considerations for managing massive blood loss in pediatric patients undergoing craniotomies and craniofacial surgery. North American and European guidelines for intraoperative administration of fluid and blood products will be discussed.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2014
Case ReportsCraniosynostosis surgery in an infant with a complex cyanotic cardiac defect.
We report on a case where craniosynostosis surgery for a left-sided coronal synostosis was performed successfully on an 11-month old infant with a hypoplastic left ventricle with a dysplastic mitral valve, double outlet right ventricle, transposition of the great arteries, atrial septal defect, multiple ventricular septal defects, and surgically applied pulmonary banding. Craniosynostosis surgery is considered high-risk surgery, because of possible sudden and extensive blood loss, and is usually performed in cardiopulmonary healthy children. Children with congenital heart disease undergoing noncardiac surgery have an increased risk of perioperative morbidity and cardiac arrest. ⋯ Therefore, it was decided to perform the craniosynostosis surgery first, before establishing a PCPC. When a child with CHD presents for high-risk noncardiac surgery, future cardiac procedures and physiology also have to be taken into account. A multidisciplinary approach, involving pediatric cardiologists and pediatric anesthesiologists, is essential in making this decision.