Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2009
Training in pediatric anesthesia for registrars--UK National survey.
The aim of this National survey was to review the training provided in pediatric anesthesia to all registrars across all deaneries in the United Kingdom. The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCA) recognizes training in pediatric anesthesia as an important training module for specialist registrars in years 1 and 2 of their training and recommends that this training should be delivered in 1-3-month blocks. ⋯ It will be necessary to increase the duration of modular training with the implementation of EWTD. Modular training in pediatric anesthesia should be provided as a dedicated and protected module. Training opportunities in DGHs are limited. There is also a need for new guidelines, as current guidelines regarding pediatric anesthesia training will be outdated with the implementation of EWTD.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyHemodynamic effects of dobutamine and dopexamine after cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric cardiac surgery.
After surgical repair of congenital heart disease, inotropic support is sometimes necessary to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass. In pediatric cardiac surgery, dobutamine and dopamine are often used as inotropic support. Dopexamine is a synthetic catecholamine, which has positive inotropic and vasodilating properties. Because the hemodynamic effects of catecholamines are modified after cardiopulmonary bypass, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dobutamine and dopexamine on cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance index after cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric cardiac surgery. ⋯ This trial demonstrates that low-dose dobutamine and dopexamine both increase cardiac index during pediatric cardiac surgery but with different hemodynamic effects.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2009
Case ReportsUltrasound-guided perineural catheter and local anesthetic infusion in the perioperative management of pediatric limb salvage: a case report.
Local anesthetic perineural infusion has emerged as an effective analgesic technique in pediatric patients, but it can also complement surgical perioperative management in complex cases that require optimal tissue perfusion such as limb salvage. We report the successful use of brachial plexus perineural infusion in the care of a child following near-amputation of her dominant hand. An ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus catheter was placed in the recovery room after complex reconstructive surgery and a continuous infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine maintained for 24 days. The resultant sympathectomy was integral to providing distal limb perfusion despite partial restenosis of the surgical revascularization.
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Hyperinflation of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) cuff is known to be a risk factor for airway morbidity and increased leakage around the LMA. While the manufacturers' recommendation is to inflate the cuff with the maximum recommended volumes and/or to adjust the cuff pressure to <60 cmH2O, cuff pressures below 40 cmH2O have been shown to be associated with a minimal rate of sore throat and minimal leakage. However, it remains to be determined whether inflation or deflation is needed to achieve favorable pressures. Therefore, we assessed the need for cuff-volume adjustment following insertion of the LMA unchanged straight from the sterile packaging in a prospective audit. ⋯ This study demonstrates that LMAs, particularly when using small-sized LMAs or LMAs with a more rigid PVC surface, need to be deflated following insertion of the device rather than inflated to avoid cuff hyperinflation. Hence, cuff pressures should be measured routinely using a manometer to minimize potential pressure-related airway complications.