Paediatric anaesthesia
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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
Epidural analgesia in children. A survey of current opinions and practices amongst UK paediatric anaesthetists.
Despite the widespread use of epidural analgesia in children its place in paediatric pain management has not been clearly established. In order to investigate the current practice of paediatric epidural analgesia in the UK paediatric anaesthetists and paediatric pain management teams were surveyed. ⋯ There is wide variation in the practice of paediatric epidural analgesia in the UK. Inconsistencies are likely to be related to the poor evidence base available to guide clinical decision making and the lack of a specialized paediatric acute pain service in some centres. More research is required to determine the optimal management of epidural analgesia, and suitable clinical support for paediatric pain control should be more widely available.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Nov 2003
Comparative StudyBlood loss during posterior spinal fusion surgery in patients with neuromuscular disease: is there an increased risk?
Scoliosis surgery in paediatric patients can carry significant morbidity associated with intraoperative blood loss and the resultant transfusion therapy. Patients with neuromuscular disease may be at an increased risk for this intraoperative blood loss, but it is unclear if this is because of direct vascular pathophysiological changes or the fact that neuromuscular patients typically have more extensive orthopaedic disease and more vertebral segments involved. This study examined the risk of extensive blood loss (>50% of total blood volume) in patients with neuromuscular disease compared with patients who did not have neuromuscular disease when the extent of the surgery (number of segments fused), age and preoperative coagulation profile where taken into consideration. ⋯ Patients with neuromuscular disease can present various anaesthetic challenges during scoliosis surgery, among these is the inherent risk of extensive blood loss. Recognizing this may help anaesthesiologists and surgeons more accurately prepare for and treat intraoperative blood loss during scoliosis surgery in patients with neuromuscular disease.
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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.