A Comparative Study on Safety and Efficacy of Caudal, Thoracic Epidural and Intra Venous Analgesia in Paediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Double Blind Randomised Trial

Introduction:Regional anaesthesia combined with general anaesthesia reduces stress response to surgery, duration of ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) stay and promotes early recovery. Studies on thoracic epidural, caudal analgesia along with general anaesthesia (GA) in paediatric cardiac surgery are limited hence we aimed to compare efficacy and safety of caudal, thoracic epidural and intravenous analgesia in paediatric cardiac surgery. Methodology: This study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesiology in a tertiary care teaching hospital in southern India from February 2019 to December 2019. 90 children were randomised into group A, group B, group C. Children in group A received caudal analgesia along with GA. Group B children received thoracic epidural along with GA. Group C patients received intravenous analgesia along with GA. Rescue analgesia 1 mcg/kg fentanyl given in all 3 groups if pain score is more than 4. Primary outcome assessed was post-op pain scores. Secondary outcome assessed was duration of ventilation, duration of intensive care unit stay. Results: All patients were comparable in terms of age, sex, weight, mean RACHS score, baseline heart rate and blood pressure. Pain scores were significantly lower in thoracic epidural group compared to other two grou ps. Duration of ventilation was lower in thoracic epidural group (91.17± 43.85) minutes and caudal (199.6 ± 723.59) minutes compared to intravenous analgesia groups (436.37 ± 705.51) minutes. Duration of ICU stay was significantly low in thoracic epidural group (2.73 ± 0.69) days compared to caudal (3.7 ± 2.8) and intravenous analgesia groups (4.33 ± 0.920). We didn’t have any complications like hematoma, transient or permanent neurological sequelae in regional anesthesia groups. Conclusion: Regional anaesthesia along with general anaesthesia was more effective in pain relief than intravenous analgesia with general anaesthesia in paediatric cardiac surgery.

From Surgery to Hematology: Fanconi Anemia about a Case of a Senegalese Child

Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a rare genetic abnormality. Most of FA reported from the sub-Saharan population came from southern Africa, with many patients linked to a mutation in the FANC G gene. Classic triads of this disorder are: a varied malformation, bone marrow failure, and short stature. This disorder is also associated with predisposition to malignancies. These multiple manifestations, sometimes not uniform, often cause diagnostic delay. We here report a 13-year-old Senegalese boy with FA. He was followed up for polydactyly-repair surgery. Importantly, pre-operative blood check-up revealed severe anaemia, which prompted us to perform bone marrow aspiration: examination revealed dysmyelopoiesis. Being triggered by this, systematic examinations were performed, which revealed other signs indicative of FA;i.e., radial spine abnormalities, triangular face, etc. The diagnosis of FA was strongly suggested, which prompted genetic examination. The chromosomal breakage test detected cellular hypersensitivity to DNA, which confirmed the diagnosis. He is receiving transfusion support, and androgens use is being considered. This case highlights the importance of preoperative examination. Physicians must be aware that FA, although its incidence is low, can be hidden behind infantile anaemia.