Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Nov 2011
ReviewNasal foreign bodies in children: considerations for the anesthesiologist.
The combination of a curious young child exploring his/her nasal cavities, with the abundance of small inert and natural objects in our society, culminates in a significant number of nasal foreign bodies (NFBs). Usually NFBs are benign entities, yielding relatively simple resolutions and mild morbidities. ⋯ This article discusses the different types of NFBs, various clinical presentations, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and pertinent considerations for the anesthesia care provider. Increasing one's awareness of the implications of NFBs, can optimize the safe treatment of patients harboring this development.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Sep 2011
ReviewStratification of sedation risk--a challenge to the sedation continuum.
We detail the limitations of the current paradigm of the sedation continuum - a tool ubiquitous to all sedation care settings and now a quarter century old. Definitions in this existing taxonomy are based on patient responsiveness to verbal and/or tactile stimuli, and the inherent subjectivity of this focus has both challenged the reliable assessment of adverse event risk and precluded clear delineation of sedation boundaries, e.g., what is the dividing line between moderate and deep sedation? We present the rationale to support a broadening of this sedation continuum precept to include an objective mechanism to predict the ongoing risk of serious adverse events, and then propose sequential steps for the development of such a restructured framework. This process, while ambitious, would yield a clear and consistent language to facilitate quality assurance, provide an objective framework for standardized sedationist training and credentialing, and permit inclusion into computerized decision-support algorithms to facilitate more precise sedative delivery. It is important to clearly delineate this goal now to permit design and initiation of the requisite research.
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Risk in pediatric anesthesia can be conveniently classified as minor or major. Major morbidity includes cardiac arrest, brain damage and death. Minor morbidity can be assessed by clinical audits with small patient samples. ⋯ It is best assessed by very large clinical studies and by review of closed malpractice claims. Both minor and major morbidity occur most commonly in infants and children under three, especially those with severe co-morbidities. Knowledge of risk profiles in pediatric anesthesia is a starting point for the reduction of risk.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2011
ReviewEquipment and monitoring--what is in the future to improve safety?
There have been a number of recent developments in the practice of anesthesia and intensive care aimed at improving outcome in terms of reducing both morbidity and mortality, as well as other less-defined factors, such as quality of service provision. Significant advances have been made in airway devices such as pediatric tracheal tube designs, Microcuff(®) tracheal tubes, and new laryngoscopes. Noninvasive monitoring devices, including continuous hemoglobin analysis and near infrared spectrometry, are being increasingly used in pediatric anesthesia. Other, 'scaled-down' versions from adult anesthesia care, however, have not universally been shown to result in improved safety and outcomes in pediatric anesthesia.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jul 2011
ReviewPediatric regional anesthesia: what is the current safety record?
The use of regional anesthetics, whether as adjuncts, primary anesthetics or postoperative analgesia, is increasingly common in pediatric practice. Data on safety remain limited because of the paucity of very large-scale prospective studies that are necessary to detect low incidence events, although several studies either have been published or have reported preliminary results. This paper will review the data on complications and risk in pediatric regional anesthesia. Information currently available suggests that regional blockade, when performed properly, carries a very low risk of morbidity and mortality in appropriately selected infants and children.