Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2023
Observational StudyA machine-learning approach for decision support and risk stratification of pediatric perioperative patients based on the APRICOT dataset.
Pediatric anesthesia has evolved to a high level of patient safety, yet a small chance remains for serious perioperative complications, even in those traditionally considered at low risk. In practice, prediction of at-risk patients currently relies on the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) score, despite reported inconsistencies with this method. ⋯ This work demonstrates that prediction of patients at low risk of critical PAEs can be made on an individual, rather than population-based, level by using machine learning. Our approach yielded two models that accommodate wide clinical variability and, with further development, are potentially generalizable to many surgical centers.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2023
Multicenter StudyIntraoperative fluid administration volumes during pediatric liver transplantation and postoperative outcomes: A multicenter analysis.
Fluid administration is an important aspect of the management of children undergoing liver transplantation and may impact postoperative outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate the association between volume of intraoperative fluid administration and our primary outcome, the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation following pediatric liver transplantation. Secondary outcomes included intensive care unit length of stay and hospital length of stay. ⋯ Other modifiable factors should be sought which may lead to improved postoperative outcomes in this highly vulnerable patient population.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2023
Outcomes for 41 260 pediatric surgical patients with opioid-free anesthesia: One center's experience.
Opioid use is common and associated with side effects and risks. Consequently, analgesic strategies to reduce opioid utilization have been developed. Regional anesthesia and multimodal strategies are central tenets of enhanced recovery pathways and facilitate reduced perioperative opioid use. Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) protocols eliminate all intraoperative opioids, reserving opioids for postoperative rescue treatment. Systematic reviews show variable results for OFA. ⋯ These QI projects demonstrated that most pediatric ambulatory and select inpatient surgeries are amenable to OFA techniques which may reduce PONV without worsening pain.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2023
Modified technique for endobronchial blocker placement in pediatric patients undergoing thoracic surgery.
One lung ventilation (OLV) in small children can be achieved using an Arndt endobronchial blocker (AEBB), but it presents challenges. OLV during thoracic procedures provides better surgical conditions and postoperative outcomes. ⋯ The described technique allows for fast, safe, and reliable OLV while maintaining the ability to reposition the AEBB.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2023
Reducing the environmental impact of mask inductions in children: A quality improvement report.
Inhalational anesthetic agents are potent greenhouse gases with global warming potential that far exceed that of carbon dioxide. Traditionally, pediatric inhalation inductions are achieved with a volatile anesthetic delivered to the patient in oxygen and nitrous oxide at high fresh gas flows. While contemporary volatile anesthetics and anesthesia machines allow for a more environmentally conscious induction, practice has not changed. We aimed to reduce the environmental impact of our inhalation inductions by decreasing the use of nitrous oxide and fresh gas flows. ⋯ Our quality improvement group decreased the environmental impact of inhalation inductions and created cultural change within our department to sustain change and foster the pursuit of future environmental efforts.