Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jun 2021
A Survey of the Global Impact of COVID-19 on the Practice of Pediatric Anesthesia: A Study from the Pediatric Anesthesia COVID-19 Collaborative Group.
Pediatric anesthesiology has been greatly impacted by COVID-19 in the delivery of care to patients and to the individual providers. With this study, we sought to survey pediatric centers and highlight the variations in care related to perioperative medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the availability of protective equipment, the practice of pediatric anesthesia, and economic impact. ⋯ Our data indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the testing, safety, clinical management, and economics of pediatric anesthesia practice. Further investigation into the long-term consequences for the specialty is indicated.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jun 2021
Observational StudyPrimary spread of caudal blockade in children: the possible limiting role of the lumbar spinal cord enlargement (tumenescence) in combination with the cerebrospinal fluid rebound mechanism.
Despite being the most frequently used pediatric nerve block, certain aspects of the initial intraspinal spread of local anesthetics when performing a caudal block need further elucidation. The fact that injected volumes of 0.7-1.3 mL kg-1 initially only reach the thoraco-lumbar junction, with only a few vertebral segments difference despite the huge difference in injected volume, still has no apparent explanation. We hypothesize that the narrowing of the epidural space caused by the lumbar spinal enlargement may provide an anatomical barrier causing this restriction of initial spread, alone or in combination with increased intrathecal pressure caused by the "cerebrospinal fluid rebound mechanism." The aim of this observational study was to find support for or refute this hypothesis. ⋯ The maximum of the lumbar spinal enlargement is located at the Th 11 vertebral level. Although not entirely conclusive, the findings of the present study do support the notion that the lumbar spinal enlargement, in combination with the CSF rebound mechanism, may be the factors limiting the initial spread of a caudal block to the thoraco-lumbar junction.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jun 2021
Self-reported awareness during general anesthesia in pediatric patients: A study from Wake Up Safe.
Awareness under general anesthesia occurs rarely, but can result in emotional trauma. Although well-studied in adults, there is a paucity of data on unintentional awareness in children. ⋯ Self-reported intraoperative awareness is a rare complication in pediatric patients that has implications for harm. Compared to awareness cases elicited by a questionnaire method, cases of self-reported awareness during general anesthesia may represent those that have a greater impact. A preoperative discussion of intraoperative awareness should be considered for procedures that carry a higher likelihood of awareness in order to mitigate harm.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jun 2021
Insertion of cuff inflation line into pediatric tracheal tubes related to oral and nasal tracheal intubation depth.
In clinical practice, the cuff inflation line of cuffed pediatric tracheal tubes often interferes with securing tracheal tubes. ⋯ The cuff inflation line in almost all commonly used cuffed pediatric tracheal tubes interferes with securing the tracheal tube due to its insertion site into the tracheal tube. This potentially carries the risk of kinking, obstruction, or damage to the cuff inflation line with ensuing failure to deflate or inflate the cuff. The proposed position of the insertion of the cuff inflation line 2 cm from the proximal end of the tracheal tube would ensure a 1-cm-wide cuff line-free circular area beyond the oral or nasal cavity in nearly all assessed tracheal tube sizes.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jun 2021
Clinical TrialLactated Ringer's Solution versus Normal Saline in Pediatric Living-donor Liver Transplantation: A Matched Retrospective Cohort Study.
In pediatric living-donor liver transplantation, lactated Ringer's solution and normal saline are commonly used for intraoperative fluid management, but the comparative clinical outcomes remain uncertain. ⋯ For intraoperative fluid management in pediatric living-donor liver transplantation patients, lactated Ringer's solution administration was associated with a higher 90-day mortality rate than normal saline. This finding has important implications for selecting crystalloid in pediatric living-donor liver transplantation. Further randomized clinical trials in larger cohort are necessary to confirm this finding.