Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Nov 2007
Case ReportsLong-term use of an intravenous ketamine infusion in a child with significant burns.
We report the use of an intravenous ketamine infusion for 37 days in a 9-year-old child with 42% body surface area burns. Ketamine was administered both in the intensive care unit and the surgical ward and provided high quality analgesia as an opioid adjunct. ⋯ This case demonstrates the safe and effective use of long-term intravenous ketamine in a child with significant burns on a surgical ward. We have focused the discussion on the issues of tolerance and weaning of long-term ketamine infusions in children.
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There are few data describing clonidine population pharmacokinetics in children (0-15 years) despite common use. Current pediatric data, described in terms of elimination half-life or C(max) and T(max), poorly explain variability in drug responses among individuals representative of those in whom the drug will be used clinically. ⋯ Clearance in neonates is approximately one-third that described in adults, consistent with immature elimination pathways. Maintenance dosing, which is a function of clearance, should be reduced in neonates and infants when using a target concentration approach.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Oct 2007
How well do pediatric anesthesiologists agree when assigning ASA physical status classifications to their patients?
The scope and application of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA PS) classification has been called into question and interobserver consistency even by specialist anesthesiologists has been described as only fair. Our purpose was to evaluate the consistency of the application of the ASA PS amongst a group of pediatric anesthesiologists. ⋯ We present the largest evaluation of interobserver consistency in ASA PS in pediatric patients by pediatric anesthesiologists. We conclude that agreement between anesthesiologists is only moderate and suggest standardizing assessment, so that it reflects the patient status at the time of anesthesia, including any acute medical or surgical conditions.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Oct 2007
Airway management and anesthesia in neonates, infants and children during endolaryngotracheal surgery.
Endolaryngotracheal surgery in neonates, infants and children poses a big challenge for both anesthesiologist and surgeon. The narrowness of the airways and the great variability of the pathological lesions necessitate close collaboration between the surgical and the anesthesia team to provide optimal operating conditions and ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation. ⋯ Supraglottic superimposed high-/low-frequency jet ventilation via jet laryngoscopes with integrated jet nozzles is a minimally invasive ventilation technique for neonates, infants and children in endolaryngotracheal surgery, which allows an unimpaired operating field for the surgeon especially in LASER surgery.