Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialPharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship of rocuronium under stable nitrous oxide-fentanyl or nitrous oxide-sevoflurane anesthesia in children.
The aim of this study was to compare pharmacokinetics and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) relationship of rocuronium in children anesthetized with nitrous oxide (N2O) and fentanyl or with N2O and sevoflurane. ⋯ Disposition of rocuronium was similar under stable N2O-fentanyl and N2O-sevoflurane anesthesia. Sevoflurane reduced rocuronium requirements as well as decreased EC50 relevant to inhibition of T1 and rocuronium transfer to effect compartment. Therefore, the potentiating effect of sevoflurane seems to be mainly of PD origin, probably due to an increased sensitivity of the neuromuscular junction.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2006
Impact of a nurse practitioner-assisted preoperative assessment program on quality.
The anesthesia manpower shortage in the last few years in the US has limited many hospital pediatric surgical services. We sought to meet an increasing surgical caseload, while providing safe, timely and patient-centered care by instituting a nurse practitioner-assisted preoperative evaluation (NPAPE) program. The strategic goal of this program was to shift anesthesiologists from the preanesthesia clinic to the operating room (OR), while maintaining the quality of preoperative care. Our study sought to evaluate the quality of the NPAPE program. ⋯ Our study revealed that within a year of its implementation, the NPAPE program maintained patient safety, timeliness, and a high level of parent satisfaction as well as increased staff satisfaction, while shifting two anesthesiologists to the OR. A NP-assisted preoperative evaluation program can offer operational advantages without compromising care.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA comparative study of hemodynamic responses to orotracheal intubation with fiberoptic bronchoscope and laryngoscope in children.
The purposes of this study were to further identify the hemodynamic responses to orotracheal intubation in children, using a fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) and a direct laryngoscope (DLS), and to validate whether the FOB can attenuate the hemodynamic response to orotracheal intubation compared with the DLS. ⋯ Orotracheal intubation using FOB and DLS in children may cause similar increases in SBP and HR. Compared with the DLS, the FOB had no advantage in attenuating the hemodynamic responses to orotracheal intubation.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyLevobupivacaine caudal anesthesia in children: a randomized double-blind comparison with bupivacaine.
Levobupivacaine is the pure S-enantiomer of bupivacaine. Despite obvious benefits in the event of accidental intravascular injection there has been no studies demonstrating a clinically significant benefit to levobupivacaine over racemic bupivacaine for pediatric regional anesthesia. Given the similar pharmacokinetic profiles of both drugs the studies to date have been underpowered to demonstrate what is likely to be a small difference in clinical effectiveness. Our aim was to determine if there are significant differences in the clinical effectiveness of levobupivacaine compared with racemic bupivacaine for caudal anesthesia in children having lower abdominal surgery. A secondary aim was to determine if there are differences in the incidence of postoperative motor blockade between these agents. ⋯ Levobupivacaine is an effective agent for caudal anesthesia in children at a recommended dose of 2.5 mg x kg(-1). The rapidity of onset was suitable for establishment of surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia was achieved in greater than 97.5% of patients. It appears to be of equivalent potency to racemic bupivacaine in children requiring lower abdominal surgery.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2006
Case ReportsBilateral monitoring of cerebral oxygen saturation results in recognition of aortic cannula malposition during pediatric congenital heart surgery.
Congenital heart surgery is associated with a 2-25% reported incidence of neurological complication. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can detect changes in regional cerebral saturation index (rSO2i) during cardiac surgery. ⋯ We report a case in which bilateral NIRS monitoring detected an abrupt decrease in rSO2i (right greater than left) after initiation of bypass without abnormalities detected by standard monitors. This resulted in prompt surgical intervention that restored rSO2i, potentially preventing neurological injury.