Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 1999
Pulmonary atelectasis during paediatric anaesthesia: CT scan evaluation and effect of positive endexpiratory pressure (PEEP).
The case series consisted of ten children, ranged in age from one to three years (median 1.8 yrs), and in body weight from 10.2 to 13.5 kg (median 11.7 kg), in ASA class 1 or 2, all without lung disease. Having undergone general anaesthesia for cranial or abdominal CT scans, the patients were studied for pulmonary morphology. The first pulmonary CT scan was taken five min after induction of general inhalational anaesthesia; preoxygenation was avoided and an intraoperative FiO2=0.4 was used. ⋯ After ventilation with PEEP of 5 cmH2O, all the observed densities disappeared without impairment of heart rate, blood pressure, haemoglobin saturation and endtidal CO2 (PECO2). We conclude that the appearance in children of atelectasis cannot be explained by a reabsorption of O2 mechanism and by denitrogenation. However, a PEEP of 5 cmH2O is able both to recruit all the available alveolar units, and to induce the disappearance of atelectasis in dependent lung regions.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 1999
Clinical TrialLaryngeal mask for difficult intubation in children.
We present a new intubation technique using an oral preformed tracheal tube passed through a laryngeal mask. Six patients (neonate to six months old) with craniofacial malformations of head and neck and scheduled for reconstructive plastic surgery are the basis of this report. An inhalation induction with increasing doses of halothane in oxygen while maintaining spontaneous ventilation was performed. ⋯ Once the mask was removed, the stylet was disconnected, and the 15 mm connector reattached. Our experience was that this takes about 20 to 30 s. We recommended this technique in paediatric patients in which a difficult intubation is foreseen.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 1999
Case ReportsUnintentional paediatric subdural catheter with oculomotor and abducens nerve palsies.
A 13-year-old female with a past history of lumbar laminectomy developed a subdural block 18 h after the commencement of an epidural infusion of bupivacaine 0.125% and fentanyl 2 micrograms.ml-1. Signs at presentation included bilateral abducens nerve palsies in the absence of headache and a previously unreported unilateral third cranial nerve palsy. An epidurogram displayed subdural placement.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 1999
Case ReportsReturn of the internal jugular vein--development of collateral drainage following neonatal ligation of the vein.
The development of collateral venous drainage in the neck of a child, who as a neonate had undergone ligation and cannulation of the right internal jugular vein, is described. The resultant vessels were of sufficient calibre to be considered as potential sites for vascular access, although it is possible that their course in the thorax may preclude correct placement of a central venous catheter. Nevertheless, we feel that this case further illustrates the benefit of hand-held ultrasonography in visualizing the vascular structures of the neck. Moreover, ligation of a vein in the neonatal period should not be a contraindication to subsequent assessment of that site for vascular access.