Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Apr 2021
Anesthesia for children with complete trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome): A cohort review of 84 anesthesia encounters in nine patients.
Trisomy 18 or Edwards syndrome is the second most common aneuploidy with a prevalence between 1/3000 and 1/10 000 live births. The syndrome encompasses malformations of the central nervous, cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems. Trisomy 18 carries a poor prognosis with 90% of patients not surviving beyond 1 year of age; however, the current trend toward more aggressive supportive care may prolong survival. The limited anesthesia literature highlights the abnormal airway anatomy but generally describes uneventful airway management and perioperative course. ⋯ Difficult airway management and respiratory compromise were critical concerns during the perioperative period in our patient population, and the inability to ventilate could lead to cardiorespiratory arrest. This case series provides a comprehensive, longitudinal view of complete trisomy 18 patients in the perioperative period and adds information for counseling families and care providers.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Apr 2021
Inflation volume - balloon diameter and inflation pressure - balloon diameter characteristics of commonly used bronchial blocker balloons for single-lung ventilation in children.
Balloon-tipped bronchial blocker catheters are widely used in pediatric thoracic anesthesia to establish single-lung ventilation. In clinical practice, their balloons demonstrate sudden expansion when inflated with air. In addition, there are concerns related to the high inflation pressures required to expand the balloons. ⋯ Based on these study findings, the balloons of Fogarty arterial embolectomy catheters represent high-pressure devices and do not permit stepwise controlled bronchial blockage. The Arndt endobronchial blockers have some advantages over the Fogarty blocker devices, but also represent high-pressure equipment and must be used with caution and limited duration. Manufacturers are asked to design pediatric endobronchial blocker catheters with truly high-volume, low-pressure balloons in accordance to age-related pediatric airway dimensions.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Apr 2021
Editorial CommentNew definitions and measures-Standing the test of time.