Paediatric anaesthesia
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Most anesthetic ventilators are designed to cope with a wide range of patient sizes and may lack precision at the lowest end of the minute volume scale. Neonatal intensive care ventilators on the other hand are designed specifically for this patient group, but are not able to deliver volatile anesthesia. ⋯ The addition of a Diamedica vaporizer to a Fabian neonatal ventilator was shown in bench testing to provide stable, linear vapor concentrations without compromise of ventilator function. The system should not be used in high frequency oscillation mode because concentrations will exceed those expected and will not maintain a linear relationship with the vaporizer setting.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2018
Case ReportsAnesthetic considerations for scoliosis surgery in a patient with recessive severe/lethal form of osteogenesis imperfecta.
Osteogenesis imperfecta is a heterogeneous genetic disorder characterized by bone fragility, with disease ranging from mild fractures to death in utero. We describe a child with autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta type VIII (severe or lethal phenotype), who successfully underwent posterior spinal fusion, was extubated on postoperative day 1 and discharged home 25 days later. Recently identified recessive forms of osteogenesis imperfecta are associated with severe/lethal phenotype. Special consideration is needed in scoliosis surgery, with challenges arising from prone positioning, neurophysiology monitoring, and blood loss.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2018
Feasibility of autologous intraoperative blood collection and retransfusion in small children with complex congenital heart defects undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.
Allogeneic blood product transfusion is common in pediatric patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass although it is associated with an increased risk for adverse events. Furthermore, numerous donor exposures may affect future blood transfusion needs and human leukocyte antigen matching for patients who may ultimately require cardiac transplantation. Autologous intraoperative blood collection and retransfusion is a known method of blood preservation, but has not been extensively practiced in pediatric patients. In this study we assess the feasibility of this blood conservation technique in small children with complex congenital heart defects undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. ⋯ The use of autologous intraoperative blood collection and retransfusion is a feasible option for small children with complex congenital heart defects undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. Study patients received significantly fewer donor exposures without an increase in postoperative bleeding. Children who require multiple cardiac surgeries or eventually transplantation could benefit from this blood conservation technique.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2018
Association between children's emotional/behavioral problems before adenotonsillectomy and postoperative pain scores at home.
Children undergoing adenotonsillectomy are at risk of severe postoperative pain and sleep problems. Little is known about the specific child risk factors for these problems. ⋯ Following adenotonsillectomy, children often experienced moderate to severe pain and sleep problems during the first 3 days at home. Preoperative internalizing problems and parental need for information were independently associated with increased pain at home. Screening for these problems can help to identify vulnerable children and adapt the perioperative analgesic strategy accordingly (which includes preparation, information, and prescription of pain analgesics).
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2018
Case ReportsVolatile anesthesia for a child with LPIN1 gene mutation and recurrent rhabdomyolysis.
We report the case of a boy with LPIN1 gene mutation presenting for adenotonsillectomy who was successfully managed with preoperative saline and glucose infusion followed by balanced anesthesia including sevoflurane. The anesthetic planning is described as there is no modern literature to guide the perioperative management of these children.