Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · May 2022
ReviewDown Syndrome and the autonomic nervous system, an educational review for the anesthesiologist.
Approximately one in every 700 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, or 0.14%. Children with Down syndrome have cognitive impairment and congenital malformations necessitating frequent occurrences of general anesthesia and surgery. The thoughtful perioperative care of children with Down syndrome is relevant and acutely complex for the pediatric anesthesiologist. ⋯ Autonomic nervous system function or dysfunction may explain the phenotypical features of the perioperative challenges listed above. For this reason, understanding the development and measurement of autonomic nervous system function is important for the pediatric anesthesiologist. Definition and quantification of sympathetic and parasympathetic function will be reviewed.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · May 2022
ReviewDeveloping an Extubation Strategy for the Difficult Paediatric Airway- Who, When, Why, Where, and How?
Comprehensive airway management of the pediatric patient with a difficult airway requires a plan for the transition back to a patent and protected airway. Multiple techniques are available to manage the periextubation period. ⋯ This includes team-focused communication of the desired goals, critical steps in the process, and potential responses in the case of failed extubation. This review summarizes extubation of pediatric patients with difficult airways along with one suggested framework to manage this challenging period.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · May 2022
ReviewThe Role of Information and Preparation for Improvement of Pediatric Perioperative Care.
The perioperative period is a significant and stressful experience that may cause negative consequences in children, both in a short-term and long-term perspective. Despite a wide base of evidence stating the importance of adequate preparation to reduce anxiety, improve coping, cooperation and enhance recovery, many children continue to report that they feel unprepared for their perioperative experience. ⋯ Interactive web-based technology can function as a significant resource for preparation of children for perioperative procedures. By changing perspective from children's need for information to their need for learning and by developing preparation programs including adequate educational principles, web-based technology can be used to its fullest advantage as a healthcare learning and preparation resource.