The Change in Pulse Rate and Behavioral Score by Using Video Assisted Induction of Pediatric Anesthesia

Purpose: Objective of this study was to determine whether video assisted anesthesia induction reduced pediatric patients’ stress. Methods: With approval from the local ethics committee and parental informed consent, 75 children undergoing minor surgery were investigated in this prospective observational study. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 was aged two to three years old, group 2 was aged four to six years old and group 3 was aged from seven to ten years old. The following three characteristics were evaluated: 1) the pulse rate at four points (the ward, the entrance at the operating room, mask notification and the mask fit);2) the behavioral score in the operating room;3) the amount of pain killers after the operation. Results: In group 1 (N = 20), there was a significant difference between the control group and the video assisted group regarding the percentage change in pulse rate based on the children’s ward when the patients looked at the mask. In group 2 (N = 26), there was no significant difference regarding any points. In group 3 (N = 29), there was a significant difference between control and video assisted group regarding the percentage change in pulse rate based on the children’s ward for all points. Also, regarding to the behavioral score, there was a significant difference between the control group and the video assisted group of all ages. However, there was no significant difference regarding the use of NSAIDs in the postoperative period between the control and the video assisted group. Conclusion: These results show that the video assisted anesthesia induction is effective for pediatric patients.

Comparison of Propofol and Fentanyl for Preventing Emergence Agitation Following Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Pediatric Patients: A Single-Center Study in Bangladesh

Background: Emergence agitation (EA) is a common phenomenon observed in pediatric patients following general anesthesia. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of propofol and fentanyl in preventing EA and to compare their associated complications or side effects. Methods: This prospective randomized observational comparative study was conducted at Dhaka Medical College Hospital from July 2013 to June 2014. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of propofol and fentanyl on EA in children aged 18 to 72 months undergoing circumcision, herniotomy, and polypectomy operations. Ninety children were included in the study, with 45 in each group. Patients with psychological or neurological disorders were excluded. Various parameters including age, sex, weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, duration of anesthesia, Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen (SPO2), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) score, duration of post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, incidence of laryngospasm, nausea, vomiting, and rescue drug requirement were compared between the two groups. Results: Age, sex, weight, ASA class, and duration of anesthesia were comparable between the two groups. Perioperative SpO2 and HR were similar in both groups. However, the PAED score was significantly higher in the fentanyl group during all follow-ups except at 30 minutes postoperatively. The mean duration of PACU stay was significantly longer in the fentanyl group. Although the incidence of laryngospasm was higher in the fentanyl group, it was not statistically significant. Conversely, nausea or vomiting was significantly higher in the fentanyl group. The requirement for rescue drugs was significantly higher in the fentanyl group compared to the propofol group. Conclusion: Both propofol and fentanyl were effective in preventing emergence agitation in pediatric patients undergoing various surgical procedures under sevoflurane anesthesia. However, propofol demonstrated a better safety profile with fewer incidences of nausea, vomiting, and rescue drug requirements compared to fentanyl.

Anesthesia management in a pediatric patient with complicatedly difficult airway:A case report

BACKGROUND Reports on perioperative anesthesia management in pediatric patients with difficult airways are scarce.In addition to relatively more difficulties in the technique of endotracheal intubation,the time for manipulation is restricted compared to adults.Securing the airways safely and avoiding the occurrence of hypoxemia in these patients are of significance.CASE SUMMARY A 9-year-old boy with spastic cerebral palsy,severe malnutrition,thoracic scoliosis,thoracic and airway malformation,laryngomalacia,pneumonia,and epilepsy faced the risk of anesthesia during palliative surgery.After a thorough preoperative evaluation,a detailed scheme for anesthesia and a series of intu-bation tools were prepared by a team of anesthesiologists.Awake fiberoptic intubation is the widely accepted strategy for patients with anticipated difficult airways.Given the age and medical condition of the patient,we kept him sedated with spontaneous breathing during endotracheal intubation.The endotracheal intubation was completed on the second attempt after the failure of the first effort.Fortunately,the surgery was successful without postoperative complications.CONCLUSION Dealing with difficult airways in the pediatric population,proper sedation allows time to intubate without interrupting spontaneous breathing.The appropriate endotracheal intubation method based on the patient’s unique characteristics is the key factor in successful management of these rare cases.

Veno-Venous Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in a Child with Hemoptysis and Fontan Circulation

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a rescue life support technique used in life threatening conditions of refractory respiratory and/or cardiac distress. Indication for extracorporeal life support in children depends on age and varies from pulmonary to cardiac pathologies. In some cases, it may be used as a bridge to a therapeutic procedure. We described here the management of respiratory failure due to hemoptysis in a child with a Fontan circulation and veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation which served as a bridge to angio-embolization. Hemoptysis can be a life threatening condition which can lead to hypovolemic shock and impaired alveolar gas exchange. The latter can result in respiratory failure and consequent asphyxia. When hemoptysis occurs in a patient with a univentricular heart and a Fontan circulation, management of this clinical situation can be challenging due to the particular physiology of the latter. Total cavopulmonary connection is a palliative surgical repair which constitutes Fontan circulation as a definitive treatment in patients with a univentricular heart. Methods: Case report description of a 16 year-old boy with a univentricular heart and a Fontan circulation who presented hemoptysis managed with a veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to angio-embolization. Results: Hemoptysis due to diffuse intra-alveolar hemorrhage from collateral circulation was successfully treated in this young patient with pulmonary vascular embolization. This allowed to wean the patient from extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. Conclusion: Veno-venous ECMO can be life-saving as a bridge to angio-embolization for severe hemoptysis in patients with Fontan circulation. The reported case allows to underline that our multidisciplinary approach in this complex pediatric patient surely participated to improve outcome.