Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Nov 2003
Case ReportsMassive tongue swelling following the use of synthetic saliva.
A 5-year-old boy with cerebral palsy and severe learning difficulties developed massive tongue swelling of sudden onset following the use of synthetic saliva. Acute airway obstruction and severe stridor ensued which required tracheal intubation and transfer to paediatric intensive care. The child was treated with intravenous steroids, antihistamines and epinephrine. With cessation of synthetic saliva, the swelling gradually resolved and the child was extubated on day 5.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Nov 2003
Influence of EEG monitoring on intraoperative stapedius reflex threshold values in cochlear implantation in children.
Cochlear implantation is a widely used means of treating deafness and severe hearing disorders. The surgical procedure includes inserting the cochlear implant electrode array into the cochlea and embedding the corresponding signal receiver in the mastoid bone behind the ear. Postoperative fitting of the externally worn speech processor is very important for successful use of the cochlear implant. For this purpose, electrically elicited stapedius reflex threshold values can be used. However, stapedius reflex threshold values measured intraoperatively are influenced by anaesthetics. The goal of this retrospective study was to find out whether electroencephalogram (EEG) control of anaesthesia produces more reliable reflex threshold values as a basis for the fitting of the speech processor. ⋯ Electroencephalogram monitoring in cochlear implantation is of considerable value in controlling anaesthesia and improving speech processor fitting based on more reliable intraoperative neurophysiological data.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Nov 2003
Anaesthesia for magnetoencephalography in children with intractable seizures.
Magnetoencephalography (MEG), a noninvasive technique for evaluation of epileptic patients, records magnetic fields during neuronal electrical activity within the brain. Anaesthesia experience for MEG has not yet been reported. ⋯ In our experience, midazolam premedication resulted in a high MEG failure rate (73%). Chloral hydrate premedication and propofol maintenance resulted in a lower incidence of MEG failure (5.8%). General anaesthesia with a continuous infusion of propofol or sevoflurane appears acceptable, although, lighter levels of anaesthesia might be required to avoid interference with interictal activity of the brain.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Nov 2003
Case ReportsLacticacidosis after short-term infusion of propofol for anaesthesia in a child with osteogenesis imperfecta.
We describe the case of a 7-year-old boy with osteogenesis imperfecta, who underwent anaesthesia with propofol-fentanyl-nitrous oxide-suxamethonium for orthopaedic surgery of a distal femur fracture. He developed lacticacidosis after short-term propofol infusion (150 min, mean infusion rate 13.5 mg.kg-1.h-1) associated with a prolonged recovery time without serious haemodynamic changes. ⋯ There was no significant increase in body temperature. The boy fully recovered.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Nov 2003
Case ReportsLaryngeal mask airway guided fibreoptic tracheal intubation in a child with a lingual thyroglossal duct cyst.
The establishment of a tracheal airway with direct laryngoscopy can either be difficult or impossible in children with airway pathology. Multiple direct laryngoscopic attempts cause oedema and/or bleeding with subsequent difficult ventilation. The techniques utilizing the laryngeal mask airway (LMATM) and the fibreoptic bronchoscope have been reported. The case of a child with lingual thyroglossal duct cyst in which the LMA was useful to secure the airway and as a conduit for fibreoptic tracheal intubation is reported.