Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Apr 2016
Anesthetic considerations for patients with Bardet-Biedl syndrome: a case series and review of the literature.
Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare genetic condition with manifestations that can impact anesthetic and perioperative care. There is a void of literature describing the perioperative anesthetic management in this complex patient population. ⋯ We identified 12 patients with BBS undergoing 40 anesthetics at our institution. The study identified a high risk for difficult airway with need for advanced airway techniques (67% of patient's ≥ 18 years of age required either awake fiberoptic or video laryngoscopy techniques), cardiac abnormalities, renal impairment, morbid obesity, and intellectual disability as the main syndrome manifestations of interest to the anesthesiologist. No patient had perioperative complications directly related to BBS; however, each underwent thorough perioperative evaluation with emphasis on the systemic comorbidities associated with the syndrome. This report illustrates that patients with BBS can safely undergo anesthesia, but a detailed and often multidisciplinary preoperative evaluation is prudent.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Apr 2016
Review Meta AnalysisRectus sheath and transversus abdominis plane blocks in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.
The role of rectus sheath blocks (RSB) and transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks in pediatric surgery has not been well established. ⋯ Abdominal wall blocks reduce pain and opiate use in children. We advise cautious interpretation of the results given the heterogeneity of studies.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Apr 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of 90° counterclockwise rotation of the endotracheal tube on its advancement through the larynx during nasal fiberoptic intubation in children: a randomized and blinded study.
Resistance to the passage of the endotracheal tube (ETT) is frequently encountered in children as it is advanced over the fiberoptic scope for placement into the trachea because it gets hung up at the laryngeal inlet. Literature in adults indicates that a 90° counterclockwise rotation (CCR) of the ETT before advancing results in smooth passage. We found no literature in children. ⋯ A change in ETT tip orientation from bevel facing left to facing down by 90° CCR, leads to a significantly higher first-attempt success rate by nasal approach in children. We believe the ETT should be rotated before insertion into the nostril to ensure that full 90° CCR of the tip has been accomplished.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Apr 2016
Observational StudyTranspulmonary thermodilution (PiCCO) measurements in children without cardiopulmonary dysfunction: large interindividual variation and conflicting reference values.
The PiCCO system, based on transpulmonary thermodilution, is one of the few tools available for continuous hemodynamic monitoring in children. However, published data for some of the derived variables reveal indexed values that seem questionable. ⋯ Values obtained by the PiCCO system in children have a wide range, and should therefore be interpreted with caution. Current reference values published for GEDVI and EVLWI are not applicable in children; the former is too high and the latter too low, and should not guide clinical practice. Indexing by other physiological indices may reduce this problem. Using current variables, we find GEDVI 280-590 ml · m(-2) and ELWI 7-27 ml · kg(-1) to be typical ranges for children.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Apr 2016
Evaluation of emergency pediatric tracheal intubation by pediatric anesthesiologists on inpatient units and the emergency department.
There are limited data on pediatric emergency tracheal intubation on inpatient units and in the emergency department by anesthesiologists. This retrospective cohort study was designed to describe the frequency of difficult intubation and adverse events associated with emergency tracheal intubation performed by pediatric anesthesiologists in a large children's hospital. ⋯ A significant rate of difficult intubation and mild-to-moderate intubation-related adverse events were found in emergency tracheal intubations on inpatient units and the emergency department in children performed by a pediatric anesthesiology emergency airway team. Difficult intubation was observed frequently in children with preexisting airway and craniofacial abnormalities and often required the use of an alternative airway device to successfully secure the airway.