Paediatric anaesthesia
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Oxycodone pharmacokinetics have been described in premature neonates through to obese adults. Covariate influences have been accounted for using allometry (size) and maturation of oxycodone clearance with age. The target concentration is dependent on pain intensity that may differ over pain duration or between individuals. ⋯ Simulation was used to suggest loading and maintenance doses to attain an oxycodone concentration of 35 mcg.L-1 predicted in adults. Although the covariates age and weight contribute 92% variability for clearance, there remains variability accounting for 16% of concentrations outside the target range. Duration of analgesic effect after ceasing infusion is anticipated to be longer in neonates where context-sensitive halftime is greater than older children and adults.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Dec 2021
"Cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate": A novel 2-operator technique for cannula tracheotomy in an infant animal model-a feasibility study.
Evidence regarding optimal management of the "Cannot Intubate, Cannot Oxygenate" (CICO) scenario in infants is scarce. When inserting a transtracheal cannula for front of neck access direct aspiration to confirm intratracheal location is standard practice. This postmortem "infant airway" animal model study describes a novel technique for cannula tracheotomy. ⋯ Cannula tracheotomy in infant-sized airways is technically difficult and seems frequently associated with tracheal wall injury. The reduced incidence of injury in the indirect group warrants further investigation in preclinical and clinical trials.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Dec 2021
The ulnar artery: A site suitable for arterial cannulation in pediatric patients.
Historically, the ulnar artery has rarely been considered for arterial cannulation as it is less easily palpated than the radial artery. With the current routine use of ultrasound in pediatric patients, the ulnar is as accessible as the radial and could be viewed as an equivalent site for cannulation. ⋯ The ulnar artery was larger than the radial artery in 60% of pediatric patients thus may offer an arterial cannulation site advantage due to its larger size. The use of 2-dimensional ultrasound examination allows accurate assessment of upper extremity distal arteries in order to optimize site selection for arterial cannulation in pediatric patients.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Dec 2021
ReviewVolatile anesthetic agents for life-threatening pediatric asthma: A multicenter retrospective cohort study and narrative review.
Volatile anesthetic agents are described as rescue therapy for children invasively ventilated for critical asthma. Yet, data are currently limited to case series. ⋯ For intubated children for asthma, no differences in mechanical ventilation duration or mortality between those with and without volatile anesthetic exposure were observed. Although volatiles may represent a viable rescue therapy for severe cases of asthma, definitive, and prospective trials are still needed.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Dec 2021
Accuracy of predictive equations in guiding tracheal intubation depth in children: A prospective study.
Accurate insertion depth of endotracheal tube (ETT) in children has been predicted using the demographic variables, such as age, weight, and height. Middle finger length showed good correlation with ETT depth measurement in children aged 4-14 years. ⋯ Formulas based on the demographic variables and middle finger length showed good correlation with the actual ETT depth in children aged 1-4 years. The percentage of accurate ETT depth placements was higher with middle finger length and age-based formulae.