Paediatric anaesthesia
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Do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) orders are a formal expression of the intention to refrain from resuscitation. Since their inception in 1974, such orders have become widely accepted within the hospital setting. However, their acceptance in theatres where anesthesia may cause cardiovascular instability, outcomes from cardiac arrest are improved and when there is a cross-over of techniques between anesthetic practice and resuscitation, has been more problematic. ⋯ Most anesthetists agreed that they would discuss DNAR orders during their preoperative assessment but could not agree as to which interventions constituted normal anesthetic practice as opposed to resuscitation. At present, there is variation in practice between pediatric anesthetists over suspension of DNAR orders in the perioperative period and no specific guidelines to refer to. We suggest that guidelines be produced and that these should take into account the work that has already taken place and guidelines published by other anesthetic communities.
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Behind the multiple arguments for and against the use of premedication, sedative drugs in children is a noble principle that of minimizing psychological trauma related to anesthesia and surgery. However, several confounding factors make it very difficult to reach didactic evidence-based conclusions. One of the key confounding issues is that the nature of expectations and responses for both parent and child vary greatly in different environments around the world. ⋯ Clearly, attitudes by health professionals and parents to the practice of routine pediatric premedication, vary considerably, often provoking strong opinions. In this pro-con article we highlight two very different approaches to premedication. It is hoped that this helps the reader to critically re-evaluate a practice, which was universal historically and now in many centers is more selective.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2009
Review Historical ArticlePediatric laryngoscopes and intubation aids old and new.
This review summarizes the evolution of the pediatric laryngoscope using some of the established landmarks in the history of anesthesia. Children were rarely intubated before 1940 though the subsequent 30 years saw a proliferation of pediatric laryngoscopes in part driven by the developments in pediatric anesthesia and surgery, manufacturing techniques and materials and a change in airway management philosophy exemplified by Jackson Rees's argument against the notion that intubation was to be avoided in children. ⋯ Images from many of these devices may be enhanced by digital camera or real-time video technology. The prospect of future laryngoscope development is glimpsed in the arrival of light emitting diode light source technology and questions remain regarding the consequences of equipment disposability and at the fidelity of disposable equipment manufacture.
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Infections of the airway in children may present to the anesthetist as an emergency in several locations: the Emergency Department, the Operating Department or on Intensive Care. In all of these locations, relevant and up to date knowledge of presentations, diagnoses, potential complications and clinical management will help the anesthetist and the surgical team, not only with the performance of their interventions, but also in buying time before these are undertaken, avoiding complications and altering the eventual outcome for the child. ⋯ In these instances, clinicians need to be alert to these less common conditions, not only in regard to the disease itself but also to potentially serious complications. This article describes those infections of the airway that are most likely to present to the anesthetist, their attendant complications and recommendations for treatment.