Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 2001
Bispectral index monitoring in children undergoing mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.
In this prospective, cohort study of 15 children (median age 7.7 years, range 4.9-16.5 years) undergoing atrial septal defect repair, we evaluated changes in the Bispectral index (BIS) as a potential monitor of level of consciousness during cardiac anaesthesia. ⋯ The increase in BIS during the rewarming phase could reflect an increase in conscious level, and is consistent with the reported risk for awareness during this phase of cardiac surgery.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 2001
Case ReportsCombination propofol-ketamine anaesthesia in sick neonates.
Two critically ill, opioid-tolerant neonates were anaesthetized using pancuronium and a mixture of propofol (PROP) and ketamine (KET). Three mg of KET were added per ml (10 mg) of PROP in a single syringe and infused at a rate of 100-150 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) of the PROP component (30-45 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) KET). ⋯ Both patients remained haemodynamically stable throughout their surgical procedures. PROP-KET is a rational and effective combination for intravenous anaesthesia in critically ill neonates who are likely to be opioid-tolerant when an anaesthesia vaporizer is not readily available.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 2001
Evaluation of caudal anaesthesia performed in conscious ex-premature infants for inguinal herniotomies.
Ex-premature infants, before 45 weeks postconceptional age, are at high-risk of apnoea after surgery. General anaesthesia increases the risk of apnoea. We evaluated the tolerance and the efficiency of caudal anaesthesia performed in 25 consecutive conscious ex-premature infants for inguinal herniotomies. ⋯ The principal advantage of the procedure is to facilitate and simplify the postoperative management of the babies. The anaesthetic technique does not alter surgical conditions. Caudal epidural anaesthesia performed in awake high-risk preterm infants is beneficial for these infants but requires experienced operators.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 2001
Case ReportsA technique for maintenance of airway access in infants with a difficult airway following tracheal extubation.
Tracheal extubation of patients with a difficult airway represents a challenge to anaesthesiologists and intensive care physicians. While a variety of techniques designed to maintain access to the airway in case of the need for tracheal reintubation have been described in adults, no reports have been published in infants and young children. We describe an approach to this issue in a young child with severe micrognathia.
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There are no reports of the parental perceptions of comfort during the mechanical ventilation of children. We have assessed the quality of sedation in 28 mechanically ventilated children and compared these results to an overall parental assessment of comfort, obtained by postal questionnaire. ⋯ Parents appear to become more satisfied with the degree of comfort of their children as the duration of mechanical ventilation increases, which is an effect that may have an important bearing on communication between parents and health professionals. Our results also suggest that the commonly used sedation regime of midazolam and morphine is less effective in younger children.