Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Feb 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialBrachial plexus anaesthesia in children: lateral infraclavicular vs axillary approach.
Brachial plexus blockade is a well-established technique in upper-limb surgery. In paediatric patients, the axillary route is usually preferred to infraclavicular approaches because of safety considerations. Recent reports on a lateral infraclavicular approach offering greater safety in adults prompted us to perform a prospective randomized study to assess the analgesic efficacy of axillary vs lateral vertical infraclavicular brachial plexus (LVIBP) blocks in paediatric trauma surgery. ⋯ We conclude that LVIBP blocks can be safely performed in children and that they add to the spectrum of sensory and motor blockade seen with the axillary approach.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Feb 2003
Case ReportsIs ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block always totally safe in children?
We report a case of accidental puncture of the small bowel during an ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block procedure for hernia repair. The diagnosis was made a few days later during a laparoscopic exploration owing to the progressive onset of clinical and radiological intestinal obstruction. ⋯ This case is the first reported using an atraumatic short bevel needle. We discuss the technical aspects of the procedure and underline the fact that regional anaesthesia in children is never totally risk free.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Feb 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of fentanyl-bupivacaine or midazolam-bupivacaine mixtures with plain bupivacaine for caudal anaesthesia in children.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the intensity and effectiveness of 0.75 ml.kg-1 bupivacaine 0.25% with the addition of fentanyl or midazolam for caudal block in children undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy. ⋯ Caudal block with 0.75 ml.kg(-1) 0.25% bupivacaine and 50 microg.kg(-1) midazolam or 1 microg.kg(-1) fentanyl provides no further analgesic advantages to bupivacaine alone when administered immediately after induction of anaesthesia in children undergoing unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy.
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Myotonic dystrophy is a neuromuscular condition inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, and is most commonly diagnosed in the neonatal period. With improving levels of care, these patients are now presenting more commonly for anaesthesia. We review the clinical features of the condition, and then discuss the steps in the anaesthetic process, outlining the anaesthetic implications of myotonic dystrophy at each stage.