Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · May 2022
Perioperative Use of Glucose Containing Solutions in Infants less than 6 months of age: a Clinical Practice Survey among US Academic centers.
Although there is a wide breadth of literature on glucose homeostasis in infants, standardization of perioperative hypoglycemia diagnosis and management is lacking. ⋯ This survey highlights the lack of consensus, at least among pediatric anesthesiologists working in US academic centers, regarding blood glucose management in infants less than 6 months of age. There is a need to define the indications for using glucose containing solutions in infants during the perioperative period, their ideal content, the appropriate thresholds for hypo- and hyperglycemia as well as the optimal point-of care glucose monitoring intervals.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · May 2022
Prediction of fluid responsiveness following liver compression in paediatric patients with single ventricle physiology.
The role of liver compression in predicting fluid responsiveness in children with a single ventricle has never been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to assess whether blood pressure changes during liver compression predict fluid responsiveness in children with single ventricle physiology. ⋯ Increase in blood pressure induced by liver compression is predictive of fluid responsiveness in children with single ventricle physiology.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · May 2022
Initial results from an Enhanced Recovery Program for pediatric cardiac surgical patients.
Over recent years, a number of enhanced recovery programs have appeared in first, adult colorectal surgery, and subsequently many other adult surgical specialties. Increasing interest in this approach to perioperative management in children culminated in the recent development of the first enhanced recovery pathway for pediatric intestinal surgery, endorsed by Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Society (ERAS®). In parallel, there has been increasing interest in the refinement of perioperative management of selected pediatric cardiac surgical patients, invariably referred to as "fast track" management. Initiatives have largely focused on duration of postoperative ventilation rather than on a much wider range of perioperative interventions to optimize recovery and ensure timely discharge after surgery. In our institution, a "Level 1" pediatric cardiac surgical center, we assembled a multidisciplinary team to design a comprehensive enhanced recovery pathway, based on ERAS® methodology, for selected cardiac surgical patients. After a lengthy period of planning, staff education, and preparation, we implemented the pathway at the end of November 2019. ⋯ These preliminary results suggest that enhanced recovery pathway implementation for selected pediatric cardiac surgical patients is feasible, with acceptable outcomes. They suggest areas for further development and the potential for wider implementation.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · May 2022
Pediatric spinal anesthesia at a tertiary care hospital: Eleven years after Spinal anesthesia at a single institution.
Pediatric spinal anesthesia is an old technique whose use is not widespread, in spite of reducing the risk of cardiorespiratory events (hypoxemia, bradycardia, and hypotension) associated with general anesthesia, especially in neonates and infants. This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of the pediatric spinal anesthesia program at our tertiary care hospital over 11 years. ⋯ Pediatric spinal anesthesia is a safe and effective technique with good acceptance among anesthesiologists. Thus, the implementation of a pediatric spinal anesthesia program at a tertiary care hospital is feasible and affordable.