Paediatric anaesthesia
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Healthcare-associated infections are an important source of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. Anesthesiologists have a unique role in infection prevention. ⋯ Temperature control and timely administration of antibiotics contribute to the prevention of surgical site infections. Education, culture shift, staff engagement, and effective change management are necessary for successful implementation of infection prevention strategies.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Nov 2017
Median effective dose of intranasal dexmedetomidine sedation for transthoracic echocardiography in pediatric patients with noncyanotic congenital heart disease: An up-and-down sequential allocation trial.
Intranasal dexmedetomidine can provide adequate sedation during short procedures. However, previous literature investigating the single-dose use of intranasal dexmedetomidine for sedation during transthoracic echocardiography in younger children is scarce, and the effects of age on sedation with intranasal dexmedetomidine remain controversial. ⋯ Single-dose of intranasal dexmedetomidine was an effective agent for patients under the age of 3 years requiring sedation for transthoracic echocardiography. The 50% effective dose of intranasal dexmedetomidine for transthoracic echocardiography sedation in children aged 13-36 months was higher than in children <13 months.
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Shamberger and Welch classify sternal malformations into four types: thoracic ectopia cordis, cervical ectopia cordis, thoraco-abdominal ectopia cordis, and cleft sternum. Cleft sternum is the most common subset, with a reported incidence of 1 in 50,000 to 100,000 live births, representing 0.15% of all anterior chest wall malformations. ⋯ The more rare inferior partial clefts are associated with thoraco-abdominal ectopia cordis as part of the Pentalogy of Cantrell (omphalocele, anterior diaphragmatic hernia, sternal cleft, ectopia cordis, ventricular septal defect/left ventricular diverticulum). This review summarizes the current knowledge of all four types of sternal malformations, and provides guidance for optimal anesthetic and perioperative care of these children.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Nov 2017
ReviewOpioid use disorder and misuse: A review of the epidemiology and medical implications for pediatric anesthesiologists.
This educational review presents an overview of opioid use disorder, misuse and overdose among adolescents, and the clinical implications for anesthesiologists. It provides definitions, discusses the epidemiology worldwide, (focusing on North America), and emphasizes the clinical implications of patients with chronic opioid exposure, including perioperative pain management, as well as opioid overdose and prolonged use of opioids after acute exposure. In the USA, opioid use disorder and negative outcomes related to opioids rose dramatically from 1999-2010; concomitantly heroin use and fatal overdoses have increased as heroin use is associated with the disordered use of licit opioids. ⋯ Predictors of prolonged opioid use in adolescents and adults after surgery is an area of ongoing research. Young patients encountered by pediatric anesthesiologists may be involved in diversion and disordered use of opioids. Increased awareness among anesthesiologists is important, as perioperative discussions often provide an opportunity to detect at risk patients.