Paediatric anaesthesia
-
Paediatric anaesthesia · Aug 2023
ReviewPerioperative gabapentin usage in pediatric patients: A scoping review.
There has been a recent focus among anesthesiologists on reducing the use of perioperative opioids in favor of multimodal analgesic regimens. Gabapentin has played an integral role in this evolution of practice. This comprehensive review assesses the current clinical evidence on the efficacy of perioperative gabapentin regarding postoperative pain and opioid requirements among the pediatric surgery population. ⋯ The current data on perioperative gabapentin in pediatric patients are insufficient to support the routine use of gabapentin in pediatric patients. Additional high-quality RCTs with more standardized protocols for gabapentin administration and outcome measures are necessary to provide more definitive conclusions.
-
Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2023
ReviewAnesthesia management of neonates and infants requiring intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring: A concise review.
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is currently used to prevent intraoperative spinal cord and nerve injuries during neonatal and infant surgeries. However, its use is associated with some issues in these young children. The developing nervous system of infants and neonates requires higher stimulation voltage than adults to ensure adequate signals, thereby necessitating reduced anesthesia dose to avoid suppressing motor and somatosensory-evoked potentials. ⋯ Furthermore, monitoring errors such as false-negative results immediately affect the prognosis of motor and bladder-rectal functions in patients. Therefore, anesthesiologists need to be familiar with the effects of anesthetics and age-specific neurophysiological monitoring challenges. This review provides an update regarding available anesthetic options and their target concentration in neonates and infants requiring intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring.
-
Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2023
ReviewError Traps in the Perioperative Care of Children with Chronic Pain.
Pediatric patients with a history of chronic pain frequently have complex health needs that are challenging to meet in the perioperative period. Error traps are consequences or errors that are known to occur due to either gaps in knowledge or cognitive errors. ⋯ Cognitive errors may play a role in these error traps. Recognizing and avoiding them may improve and optimize pain care and outcome.
-
Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2023
ReviewPerioperative Management of Pediatric Patients Undergoing Juvenile Angiofibroma Resection. A Case Series and Educational Review Highlighting Patient Blood Management.
Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas are one of the most enigmatic, bloody tumors encountered by otorhinolarygnologists, head and neck surgeons, neurosurgeons, and anesthesiologists. Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas are rare, benign, highly vascular tumors with a propensity towards aggressive local invasion. Surgery, open or endoscopic, to remove the growth is the primary treatment of choice for Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas. Historically, surgical resection was associated with massive, rapid blood loss, traditionally managed by blood product transfusion and deliberate hypotension. Preventative management employing multimodal blood conservation strategies should be an essential standard of perioperative care for patients with Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas. ⋯ The perioperative approach to elective surgery for Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas management is presented from a multidisciplinary patient blood management perspective.
-
Paediatric anaesthesia · Jun 2023
ReviewAnxiety in Children: A review on how to address it in the perioperative setting post pandemic.
In this paper, we review the psychological burden of SARS-CoV-2 on children and how health care workers can play a role in mitigating its mental health impact during anesthetic procedures. We evaluate the societal changes that have affected children over 2 years of the pandemic and the subsequent soaring rates of anxiety and depression reported. ⋯ Providers can utilize techniques based on developmental milestones, Certified Child Life Specialists, parental presence during induction, and medications to reduce anxiety. As health care workers, we need to recognize and address these concerns as untreated mental health issues can leave long-term consequences for children.