Paediatric anaesthesia
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Latex allergy is frequently found in children and patients with spina bifida and urogenital abnormalities and have been considered at risk for latex sensitization. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of latex sensitization in patients with oesophageal atresia and undergoing three or more surgical procedures and to identify possible risk factors in the process of latex sensitization. ⋯ Oesophageal atresia, especially in cases of prolonged management, must be considered as a risk for the development of latex allergy.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Oct 2003
Clinical TrialLaryngeal mask airway for ventilation during diagnostic and interventional fibreoptic bronchoscopy in children.
The use of the flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope in infants and children has expanded to include both interventional and diagnostic bronchoscopy. The present report utilizes the laryngeal mask airway (LMATM) for ventilation and anaesthesia administration in children during fibreoptic bronchoscopy using an adult bronchoscope. ⋯ Laryngeal mask airway is a safe and effective adjunct to fibreoptic bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia in children. Its larger internal diameter compared with a tracheal tube permits the use of relatively large fibreoptic bronchoscope without a significant increase in airway resistance.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Oct 2003
Validation of a six-graded faces scale for evaluation of postoperative pain in children.
The faces pain scales are often used for self-report assessment of paediatric pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of a six-graded faces pain scale after surgery by comparing the level of agreement between the children's report of faces pain scores and experienced nurses' assessment of pain by observation of behaviour. The faces pain scores before, at and after administration of analgesics were analysed. The study was performed in two South African hospitals, one with a mainly rural population and the other with an urban population. ⋯ The findings support this six-graded faces pain scale as a useful and valid instrument for measuring pain in the postoperative period in children aged 4-12 years.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Oct 2003
Case ReportsA long-term continuous infusion via a sciatic catheter in a 3-year-old boy.
We describe the case of a 3-year-old boy with a subtotal amputation of the right foot who received treatment for pain via a peripheral catheter positioned at the level of the sciatic nerve (lateral approach). We administered a continuous infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine, 0.4 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) plus clonidine 0.12 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) for 21 days. Pain relief was complete and the patient did not require any further rescue analgesia throughout the period even during medications and surgical treatment in our intensive care unit. We discuss the safety and efficacy of the use of a peripheral continuous infusion in children compared with other techniques of analgesia.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Oct 2003
Case ReportsSystemic embolism in an infant following haemangioma embolization: a two-step process.
A case is presented of therapeutic embolization of a hypervascular hamartoma of the liver, in a term baby. During the procedure signs of pulmonary embolism occurred and the baby subsequently died from myocardial ischaemia. Potential intrathoracic shunts of the newborn together with changes associated with the vascular tumour are thought to have allowed systemic embolization of the embolic material.