Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Dec 2017
ReviewThe use of dipyrone (metamizol) as an analgesic in children: What is the evidence? A review.
Dipyrone has analgesic, spasmolytic, and antipyretic effects and is used to treat pain. Due to a possible risk of agranulocytosis with the use of dipyrone, it has been banned in a number of countries. The most commonly used data for the use of dipyrone are related to adults. ⋯ In the limited available data, the analgesic efficacy of intravenous dipyrone appears similar to that of intravenous paracetamol. Evidence is lacking to support the claim that dipyrone is equivalent or even superior to Non-Steroid-Anti-Inflammatory-Drugs in pediatric pain. While the absolute risk of agranulocytosis with dipyrone in children, based on available literature, cannot be determined, case reports suggest that this risk is not negligible.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Dec 2017
ReviewWhat is the best size predictor for dose in the obese child?
Lean body mass is commonly proposed for anesthesia maintenance drug dosing calculations. However, total body mass used with allometric scaling has been shown to be better for propofol in obese adults and children. Fat-free mass has also been used instead of lean body mass. ⋯ This fraction (Ffat) will differ for each drug and each parameter affected by body size (eg, clearance and volume of distribution). This fraction is based on the concept of theory-based allometric size. The normal fat mass based on allometric theory and partition of body mass into fat and fat-free components provides a principle-based approach explaining size and body composition effects on pharmacokinetics of all drugs in children and in adults.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Dec 2017
The child's behavior during inhalational induction and its impact on the anesthesiologist's sevoflurane exposure.
Sevoflurane is commonly used for inhalational inductions in children, but the personnel's exposure to it is potentially harmful. Guidance to reduce gas pollution refers mainly to technical aspects, but the impact of the child's behavior has not yet been studied. ⋯ Negative behavior was accompanied by significantly higher mean and maximum sevoflurane concentrations in the anesthesiologist's breathing zone compared with children with positive attitudes. Consequently, the status of premedication influences the amount of sevoflurane pollution in the air of operating rooms.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Dec 2017
ReviewOptimal management of apparatus dead space in the anesthetized infant.
Mechanical ventilation of the anesthetized infant requires careful attention to equipment and ventilator settings to assure optimal gas exchange and minimize the potential for lung injury. Apparatus dead space, defined as dead space resulting from devices placed between the endotracheal tube and the Y-piece of the breathing circuit, is the primary source of dead space controlled by the clinician. ⋯ The goal of this review was to evaluate the apparatus that are commonly added to the breathing circuit during anesthesia care, and develop recommendations to guide the clinician in selecting apparatus that are best matched to the clinical goals and the patient's size. We include specific recommendations for apparatus that are best suited for different size pediatric patients, with a particular focus on patients <5 kg.
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Informed consent for pediatric anesthesia is unique because it is (1) obtained from surrogates (ie, parents) rather than from the patient and (2) sought after parents have authorized the surgical intervention. There are limited data on how pediatric anesthesia informed and consent discussions are conducted. The purpose of this study was to characterize the content of preanesthesia informed consent discussions and assess their impact on parent recall and understanding. ⋯ Most pediatric preanesthesia discussions include ≥5 informed consent elements and describe the plan, mention risks, and mention benefits. Inclusion of these latter 3 consent elements was associated with parental recall of these elements but not understanding.