Hospital admission on weekends for patients who have surgery and 30-day mortality in Ontario, Canada: A matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare interventions on weekends have been associated with increased mortality and adverse clinical outcomes, but these findings are inconsistent. We hypothesized that patients admitted to hospital on weekends who have surgery have an increased risk of death compared with patients who are admitted and have surgery on weekdays. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This matched cohort study included 318,202 adult patients from Ontario health administrative and demographic databases, admitted to acute care hospitals from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2015. A total of 159,101 patients who were admitted on weekends and underwent noncardiac surgery were classified by day of surgery (weekend versus weekday) and matched 1:1 to patients who both were admitted and had surgery on a weekday (Tuesday to Thursday); matching was based on age (in years), anesthesia basic unit value for the surgical procedure, median neighborhood household income quintile, resource utilization band (a ranking system of overall morbidity), rurality of home location, year of admission, and urgency of admission. Of weekend admissions, 16.2% (25,872) were elective and 53.9% (85,744) had surgery on the weekend of admission. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 30 days of the date of hospital admission. The 30-day all-cause mortality for patients admitted on weekends who had noncardiac surgery was 2.6% (4,211/159,101) versus 2.5% (3,901/159,101) for those who were admitted and had surgery on weekdays (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.05; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.11; P = 0.03). However, there was significant heterogeneity in the increased odds of death according to the urgency of admission and when surgery was performed (weekend versus weekday). For urgent admissions on weekends (n = 133,229), there was no significant increase in odds of mortality when surgery was performed on the weekend (adjusted OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.09; P = 0.7) or on a subsequent weekday (adjusted OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.98 to 1.12; P = 0.2) compared to urgent admissions on weekdays. Elective admissions on weekends (n = 25,782) had increased risk of death both when surgery was performed on the weekend (adjusted OR 3.30; 95% CI 1.98 to 5.49; P < 0.001) and when surgery was performed on a subsequent weekday (adjusted OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.81 to 4.03; P < 0.001). The main limitations of this study were the lack of data regarding reason for admission and cause of increased time interval from admission to surgery for some cases, the small number of deaths in some subgroups (i.e., elective surgery), and the possibility of residual unmeasured confounding from increased illness severity for weekend admissions. CONCLUSIONS: When patients have surgery during their hospitalization, admission on weekends in Ontario, Canada, was associated with a small but significant proportional increase in 30-day all-cause mortality, but there was significant heterogeneity in outcomes depending on the urgency of admission and when surgery was performed. An increased risk of death was found only for elective admissions on weekends; whether this is a function of patient-level factors or represents a true weekend effect needs to be further elucidated. These findings have potential implications for resource allocation in hospitals and the redistribution of elective surgery to weekends.

Incidence of non-physiologically complex surgical procedures performed in children: an Ontario population-based study of health administrative data.

PURPOSE: Quantification of surgical procedures undertaken by hospitals is necessary for informing resource allocation and modelling healthcare services. Our objective was to quantify the incidence, similarity, and diversity of non-physiologically complex surgical procedures performed at pediatric specialist hospitals and other hospitals performing pediatric surgery. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cohort study of children aged 28 days to 18 yr who underwent surgery in the province of Ontario from 2007 to 2015 using healthcare administrative databases. We estimated the incidence of non-physiologically complex procedures (i.e., ≤ 7 basic units in the 2015 Ontario Health Insurance Plan Schedule of Benefits) performed in pediatric specialist hospitals and other hospitals performing pediatric surgery. We used Yue and Clayton's index and the effective number of common procedures (1/Herfindahl index) to quantify the similarity and diversity of pediatric surgical procedures performed in these hospital types. RESULTS: Overall, 830,830 pediatric surgical procedures were performed in 158 Ontario hospitals during the eight-year study period. Most surgical procedures performed at hospitals performing pediatric surgery were non-physiologically complex (vs 50%, P < 0.001). The incidence of non-physiologically complex procedures increased progressively each year at pediatric specialist hospitals and was associated with a reciprocal decline among the other hospitals. Comparing pediatric specialist hospitals with the other hospitals, the mean similarity index for non-physiologically complex procedures was less than moderate (0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51 to 0.54). The mean effective number of common non-physiologically complex procedures (i.e., the diversity) among the pediatric specialist hospitals was greater than at the other 154 hospitals performing pediatric surgery (65.3 vs 21.8 procedures, respectively; mean difference, 43.5; 95% CI, 42.2 to 44.8; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Non-physiologically complex procedures have progressively migrated to pediatric specialist hospitals from other hospitals in Ontario. Specialty pediatric hospitals are principally dissimilar from other hospitals performing pediatric surgery based not on physiological complexity, but on their diversity. These findings suggest that some types of surgical procedures may be redistributed from specialist pediatric hospitals to other hospitals performing pediatric surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov , number NCT03144544. Registered 2 May 2016.

Dexamethasone as an adjuvant to peripheral nerve block.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve block (infiltration of local anaesthetic around a nerve) is used for anaesthesia or analgesia. A limitation to its use for postoperative analgesia is that the analgesic effect lasts only a few hours, after which moderate to severe pain at the surgical site may result in the need for alternative analgesic therapy. Several adjuvants have been used to prolong the analgesic duration of peripheral nerve block, including perineural or intravenous dexamethasone. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of perineural dexamethasone versus placebo, intravenous dexamethasone versus placebo, and perineural dexamethasone versus intravenous dexamethasone when added to peripheral nerve block for postoperative pain control in people undergoing surgery. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, DARE, Web of Science and Scopus from inception to 25 April 2017. We also searched trial registry databases, Google Scholar and meeting abstracts from the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia, and the European Society of Regional Anaesthesia. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing perineural dexamethasone with placebo, intravenous dexamethasone with placebo, or perineural dexamethasone with intravenous dexamethasone in participants receiving peripheral nerve block for upper or lower limb surgery. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS: We included 35 trials of 2702 participants aged 15 to 78 years; 33 studies enrolled participants undergoing upper limb surgery and two undergoing lower limb surgery. Risk of bias was low in 13 studies and high/unclear in 22. Perineural dexamethasone versus placeboDuration of sensory block was significantly longer in the perineural dexamethasone group compared with placebo (mean difference (MD) 6.70 hours, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.54 to 7.85; participants1625; studies 27). Postoperative pain intensity at 12 and 24 hours was significantly lower in the perineural dexamethasone group compared with control (MD -2.08, 95% CI -2.63 to -1.53; participants 257; studies 5) and (MD -1.63, 95% CI -2.34 to -0.93; participants 469; studies 9), respectively. There was no significant difference at 48 hours (MD -0.61, 95% CI -1.24 to 0.03; participants 296; studies 4). The quality of evidence is very low for postoperative pain intensity at 12 hours and low for the remaining outcomes. Cumulative 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption was significantly lower in the perineural dexamethasone group compared with placebo (MD 19.25 mg, 95% CI 5.99 to 32.51; participants 380; studies 6). Intravenous dexamethasone versus placeboDuration of sensory block was significantly longer in the intravenous dexamethasone group compared with placebo (MD 6.21, 95% CI 3.53 to 8.88; participants 499; studies 8). Postoperative pain intensity at 12 and 24 hours was significantly lower in the intravenous dexamethasone group compared with placebo (MD -1.24, 95% CI -2.44 to -0.04; participants 162; studies 3) and (MD -1.26, 95% CI -2.23 to -0.29; participants 257; studies 5), respectively. There was no significant difference at 48 hours (MD -0.21, 95% CI -0.83 to 0.41; participants 172; studies 3). The quality of evidence is moderate for duration of sensory block and postoperative pain intensity at 24 hours, and low for the remaining outcomes. Cumulative 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption was significantly lower in the intravenous dexamethasone group compared with placebo (MD -6.58 mg, 95% CI -10.56 to -2.60; participants 287; studies 5). Perinerual versus intravenous dexamethasoneDuration of sensory block was significantly longer in the perineural dexamethasone group compared with intravenous by three hours (MD 3.14 hours, 95% CI 1.68 to 4.59; participants 720; studies 9). We found that postoperative pain intensity at 12 hours and 24 hours was significantly lower in the perineural dexamethasone group compared with intravenous, however, the MD did not surpass our pre-determined minimally important difference of 1.2 on the Visual Analgue Scale/Numerical Rating Scale, therefore the results are not clinically significant (MD -1.01, 95% CI -1.51 to -0.50; participants 217; studies 3) and (MD -0.77, 95% CI -1.47 to -0.08; participants 309; studies 5), respectively. There was no significant difference in severity of postoperative pain at 48 hours (MD 0.13, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.61; participants 227; studies 3). The quality of evidence is moderate for duration of sensory block and postoperative pain intensity at 24 hours, and low for the remaining outcomes. There was no difference in cumulative postoperative 24-hour opioid consumption (MD -3.87 mg, 95% CI -9.93 to 2.19; participants 242; studies 4). Incidence of severe adverse eventsFive serious adverse events were reported. One block-related event (pneumothorax) occurred in one participant in a trial comparing perineural dexamethasone and placebo; however group allocation was not reported. Four non-block-related events occurred in two trials comparing perineural dexamethasone, intravenous dexamethasone and placebo. Two participants in the placebo group required hospitalization within one week of surgery; one for a fall and one for a bowel infection. One participant in the placebo group developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I and one in the intravenous dexamethasone group developed pneumonia. The quality of evidence is very low due to the sparse number of events. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Low- to moderate-quality evidence suggests that when used as an adjuvant to peripheral nerve block in upper limb surgery, both perineural and intravenous dexamethasone may prolong duration of sensory block and are effective in reducing postoperative pain intensity and opioid consumption. There is not enough evidence to determine the effectiveness of dexamethasone as an adjuvant to peripheral nerve block in lower limb surgeries and there is no evidence in children. The results of our review may not apply to participants at risk of dexamethasone-related adverse events for whom clinical trials would probably be unsafe.There is not enough evidence to determine the effectiveness of dexamethasone as an adjuvant to peripheral nerve block in lower limb surgeries and there is no evidence in children. The results of our review may not be apply to participants who at risk of dexamethasone-related adverse events for whom clinical trials would probably be unsafe. The nine ongoing trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov may change the results of this review.

L-carnitine reduces susceptibility to bupivacaine-induced cardiotoxicity: an experimental study in rats.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acute administration of L-carnitine 100 mg·kg-1 iv on susceptibility to bupivacaine-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. METHODS: In the first of two experiments, L-carnitine 100 mg·kg-1 iv (n = 10) or saline iv (n = 10) was administered to anesthetized and mechanically ventilated Sprague-Dawley rats following which an infusion of bupivacaine 2.0 mg·kg-1·min-1 iv was given until asystole occurred. The primary outcome was the probability of survival. Secondary outcomes included times to asystole, first dysrhythmia, and to 50% reductions in heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). To determine whether the same dose of L-carnitine is effective in treating established bupivacaine cardiotoxicity, we also conducted a second experiment in which bupivacaine 20 mg·kg-1 iv was infused over 20 sec. Animals (n = 10 per group) received one of four iv treatments: 30% lipid emulsion 4.0 mL·kg-1, L-carnitine 100 mg·kg-1, 30% lipid emulsion plus L-carnitine, or saline. The primary outcome was the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) during resuscitation. RESULTS: In the first study, L-carnitine 100 mg·kg-1 increased the probability of survival during bupivacaine infusion (hazard ratio, 12.0; 95% confidence interval, 3.5 to 41.5; P < 0.001). In L-carnitine-treated animals, the times to asystole, first dysrhythmia, and to 50% reductions in HR and MAP increased by 33% (P < 0.001), 65% (P < 0.001), 71% (P < 0.001), and 63% (P < 0.001), respectively. In the second study, no animal in the control or L-carnitine alone groups achieved ROSC when compared with the lipid emulsion groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that acute administration of L-carnitine 100 mg·kg-1 decreases susceptibility to bupivacaine cardiotoxicity, but is ineffective during resuscitation from bupivacaine-induced cardiac arrest.

A Population-based Study Evaluating the Association between Surgery in Early Life and Child Development at Primary School Entry.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether exposure to surgery in early life has long-term adverse effects on child development. The authors aimed to investigate whether surgery in early childhood is associated with adverse effects on child development measured at primary school entry. METHODS: The authors conducted a population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada, by linking provincial health administrative databases to children's developmental outcomes measured by the Early Development Instrument (EDI). From a cohort of 188,557 children, 28,366 children who underwent surgery before EDI completion (age 5 to 6 yr) were matched to 55,910 unexposed children. The primary outcome was early developmental vulnerability, defined as any domain of the EDI in the lowest tenth percentile of the population. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age at first surgery (less than 2 and greater than or equal to 2 yr) and frequency of surgery. RESULTS: Early developmental vulnerability was increased in the exposed group (7,259/28,366; 25.6%) compared with the unexposed group (13,957/55,910; 25.0%), adjusted odds ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.08. Children aged greater than or equal to 2 yr at the time of first surgery had increased odds of early developmental vulnerability compared with unexposed children (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.10), but children aged less than 2 yr at the time of first exposure were not at increased risk (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.10). There was no increase in odds of early developmental vulnerability with increasing frequency of exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Children who undergo surgery before primary school age are at increased risk of early developmental vulnerability, but the magnitude of the difference between exposed and unexposed children is small.

Effect of surgical safety checklists on pediatric surgical complications in Ontario.

BACKGROUND: In health care, most preventable adverse events occur in the operating room. Surgical safety checklists have become a standard of care for safe operating room practice, but there is conflicting evidence for the effectiveness of checklists to improve perioperative outcomes in some populations. Our objective was to determine whether surgical safety checklists are associated with a reduction in the proportion of children who had perioperative complications. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using administrative health care databases housed at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences to compare the risk of perioperative complications in children undergoing common types of surgery before and after the mandated implementation of surgical safety checklists in 116 acute care hospitals in Ontario. The primary outcome was a composite outcome of 30-day all-cause mortality and perioperative complications. RESULTS: We identified 14 458 and 14 314 surgical procedures in pre- and postchecklist groups, respectively. The proportion of children who had perioperative complications was 4.08% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.76%-4.40%) before the implementation of the checklist and 4.12% (95% CI 3.80%-4.45%) after implementation. After we adjusted for confounding factors, we found no significant difference in the odds of perioperative complications after the introduction of surgical safety checklists (adjusted odds ratio 1.01, 95% CI 0.90-1.14, p = 0.9). INTERPRETATION: The implementation of surgical safety checklists for pediatric surgery in Ontario was not associated with a reduction in the proportion of children who had perioperative complications. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, no. NCT02419053.

Do clinicians understand the size of treatment effects? A randomized survey across 8 countries.

BACKGROUND: Meta-analyses of continuous outcomes typically provide enough information for decision-makers to evaluate the extent to which chance can explain apparent differences between interventions. The interpretation of the magnitude of these differences - from trivial to large - can, however, be challenging. We investigated clinicians' understanding and perceptions of usefulness of 6 statistical formats for presenting continuous outcomes from meta-analyses (standardized mean difference, minimal important difference units, mean difference in natural units, ratio of means, relative risk and risk difference). METHODS: We invited 610 staff and trainees in internal medicine and family medicine programs in 8 countries to participate. Paper-based, self-administered questionnaires presented summary estimates of hypothetical interventions versus placebo for chronic pain. The estimates showed either a small or a large effect for each of the 6 statistical formats for presenting continuous outcomes. Questions addressed participants' understanding of the magnitude of treatment effects and their perception of the usefulness of the presentation format. We randomly assigned participants 1 of 4 versions of the questionnaire, each with a different effect size (large or small) and presentation order for the 6 formats (1 to 6, or 6 to 1). RESULTS: Overall, 531 (87.0%) of the clinicians responded. Respondents best understood risk difference, followed by relative risk and ratio of means. Similarly, they perceived the dichotomous presentation of continuous outcomes (relative risk and risk difference) to be most useful. Presenting results as a standardized mean difference, the longest standing and most widely used approach, was poorly understood and perceived as least useful. INTERPRETATION: None of the presentation formats were well understood or perceived as extremely useful. Clinicians best understood the dichotomous presentations of continuous outcomes and perceived them to be the most useful. Further initiatives to help clinicians better grasp the magnitude of the treatment effect are needed.

Patient-Controlled Analgesia Plus Background Opioid Infusion for Postoperative Pain in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.

BACKGROUND: Bolus administration of opioids via a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device is widely used in the postoperative pediatric population. PCA devices have been shown to provide superior analgesia and greater patient satisfaction compared with intermittent administration. Studies comparing the efficacy of PCA with and without a background infusion for postoperative analgesia in children vary considerably in terms of dosing and methodologic quality, making it difficult for practitioners to derive clinically useful information. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess whether the addition of a background infusion to PCA bolus administration of an opioid analgesic is more effective (defined as lower pain scores) than PCA bolus alone in the postoperative population specific to children. METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL from inception to January 2015 for registered and ongoing trials included in the meta-Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov, and reference lists of review articles and included articles. Study selection was randomized controlled studies comparing PCA bolus with PCA bolus plus background infusion for postoperative analgesia in children aged 0 to 18 years and adolescents aged 13 to 21 years undergoing any form of surgery that used patient-reported pain scores as an outcome measure. Two reviewers independently extracted data on patient and study characteristics, interventions, and outcomes from included studies using standardized data extraction forms. Seven trials met our eligibility criteria. Data were analyzed using Review Manager version 5.3. Meta-analyses were performed for outcomes that were defined similarly and reported in 2 or more studies, including patient-reported pain scores, nausea and/or vomiting, sedation, and opioid consumption. We independently assessed the risk of bias for each outcome and the certainty in the estimates of effect for critically important outcomes (pain scores, nausea and/or vomiting, excessive sedation) using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Subgroup analyses based on dose of background infusion (high versus low dose) and risk of bias (low versus high/unclear) were performed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences found with respect to pain scores 12 and 24 hours after surgery, opioid consumption, or risk of adverse events with the addition of a background opioid infusion to PCA opioid bolus doses. The quality of the evidence was deemed to be low to very low. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in outcomes with the addition of an opioid background infusion to PCA bolus doses of opioid. Further high-quality studies are required.

Erratum to: A prospective observational study comparing a physiological scoring system with time-based discharge criteria in pediatric ambulatory surgical patients.

Erratum to: Can J Anesth/J Can Anesth DOI 10.1007/s12630-015-0428-6. In the published version, the first phrase of the introduction was incorrect and should read as follows: Since the inception of the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) in 1923, the question of when it is safe to discharge a patient has remained contentious. The publisher apologizes most sincerely for this typesetting error.

Perspectives on Canadian core fellowship training in pediatric anesthesia: a survey of graduate fellows.

BACKGROUND: Educators in anesthesia have an obligation to ensure that fellowship programs are training anesthesiologists to meet the highest standards of performance in clinical and academic practice. The objective of this survey was to characterize the perspectives of graduates of Canadian core fellowship programs in pediatric anesthesia (during a ten-year period starting in 2003) on the adequacies and inadequacies of fellowship training. METHODS: We conducted an electronic survey of graduates from eight departments of pediatric anesthesia in Canada who completed one-year core fellowship training in pediatric anesthesia from 2003 to 2013. A novel survey design was implemented, and the content and structure of the design were tested before distribution. Data were collected on respondents' demographics, details of training and practice settings, perceived self-efficacy in subspecialty practices, research experience, and perspectives on one-year core fellowship training in pediatric anesthesia. Descriptive statistics and 95% confidence intervals were determined. RESULTS: The survey was sent to 132 anesthesiologists who completed core fellowship training in pediatric anesthesia in Canada. Sixty-five (49%) completed and eligible surveys were received. Most of the anesthesiologists surveyed perceived that 12 months of core fellowship training are sufficient to acquire the knowledge and critical skills needed to practice pediatric anesthesia. Subspecialty areas most frequently perceived to require improved training included pediatric cardiac anesthesia, chronic pain medicine, and regional anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: This survey reports perceived deficiencies in domains of pediatric anesthesia fellowship training. These findings should help guide the future development of core and advanced fellowship training programs in pediatric anesthesia.

A prospective observational study comparing a physiological scoring system with time-based discharge criteria in pediatric ambulatory surgical patients.

PURPOSE: Discharge criteria based on physiological scoring systems can be used in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) to fast-track patients after ambulatory surgery; however, studies comparing physiological scoring systems with traditional time-based discharge criteria are lacking. The purpose of this study was to compare PACU discharge readiness times using physiological vs time-based discharge criteria in pediatric ambulatory surgical patients. METHODS: We recorded physiological observations from consecutive American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-III patients aged 1-18 yr who were admitted to the PACU after undergoing ambulatory surgery in a tertiary academic pediatric hospital. The physiological score was a combination of the Aldrete and Chung systems. Scores were recorded every 15 min starting upon arrival in the PACU. Patients were considered fit for discharge once they attained a score ≥12 (maximum score, 14), provided no score was zero, with the time to achieve a score ≥12 defining the criteria-based discharge (CBD) time. Patients were discharged from the PACU when both the CBD and the existing time-based discharge (TBD) criteria were met. The CBD and TBD data were compared using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analysis. RESULTS: Observations from 506 children are presented. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 5.5 [2.8-9.9] yr. Median [IQR] CBD and TBD PACU discharge readiness times were 30 [15-45] min and 60 [45-60] min, respectively. Analysis of Kaplan-Meier curves indicated a significant difference in discharge times using the different criteria (hazard ratio, 5.43; 95% confidence interval, 4.51 to 6.53; P < 0.001). All patients were discharged home without incident. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study suggests that discharge decisions based on physiological criteria have the potential for significantly speeding the transit of children through the PACU, thereby enhancing PACU efficiency and resource utilization.

Efficacy of the Subtenon Block in Children Undergoing Strabismus Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of the subtenon block in preventing postoperative complications in children undergoing strabismus surgery. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov. All randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of the subtenon block in children undergoing strabismus surgery were included. Outcomes included severity of pain after surgery, number of children requiring postoperative opioid and nonopioid analgesia, and the incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting, oculocardiac events, and block-related complications. We pooled continuous outcomes using a random-effects model to calculate the mean difference (MD) and/or standardized MD and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Dichotomous outcomes were pooled using a random-effect model to calculate the relative risk (RR) and corresponding 95% CI. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias instrument and quality of evidence was assessed using a Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials (607 participants) were included. We found evidence for an effect of the subtenon block in reducing pain at 20 to 40 minutes after surgery (MD -1.9, 95% CI -2.2 to -1.5; high-quality evidence) and on admission to PACU (MD -1.8, 95% CI -2.2 to -1.4; moderate-quality evidence); however, there was no difference in pain scores at 6 hours after surgery. In addition, evidence was found that the subtenon block decreased the number of children requiring postoperative opioid (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.37-0.92; high-quality evidence) and nonopioid (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.27-0.98; moderate-quality evidence) analgesia, and the incidences of postoperative vomiting (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12-0.7; high-quality evidence) and intraoperative oculocardiac events (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.26-0.60; high-quality evidence). Other secondary outcomes had low or moderate-quality evidence. Risk of bias was low in six trials and high in three. There were no reports of block-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the subtenon block reduces the severity of early postoperative pain and the incidences of postoperative vomiting and intraoperative oculocardiac events compared with controls in children undergoing strabismus surgery. REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42015025443).

Phasic genioglossus and palatoglossus muscle activity during recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia: a prospective observational study in children.

BACKGROUND: Inhalational anesthetic effects on upper airway muscle activity in children are largely unknown. The authors tested the hypothesis that phasic inspiratory genioglossus and palatoglossus activity increases during recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia in a dose-dependent manner in children. METHODS: Sixteen children, aged 2.0 to 6.9 yr, scheduled for elective urological surgery were studied. Electromyogram recordings were acquired using intramuscular needle electrodes during spontaneous ventilation. After a 15-min period of equilibration, electromyogram activity was recorded over 30 s at each of three end-tidal concentrations, 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), administered in sequence. RESULTS: Phasic genioglossus activity was noted in four children at 1.5 MAC, five at 1.0 MAC, and six children at 0.5 MAC sevoflurane. Phasic palatoglossus activity was noted in 4 children at 1.5 MAC, 6 at 1.0 MAC, and 10 children at 0.5 MAC sevoflurane. Both the proportion of children exhibiting phasic activity, and the magnitude of phasic activity increased during recovery from anesthesia. For the genioglossus, decreasing the depth of sevoflurane anesthesia from 1.5 to 1.0 MAC increased phasic activity by approximately 35% and a further decrease to 0.5 MAC more than doubled activity (median [range] at 1.5 and 0.5 MAC: 2.7 µV [0 to 4.0 µV] and 8.6 µV [3.2 to 17.6], respectively; P = 0.029). A similar dose-related increase was recorded at the palatoglossus (P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Genioglossus and palatoglossus activity increases during recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia in a dose-dependent manner over the clinical range of sevoflurane concentrations in children.

Review article: reporting guidelines in the biomedical literature.

PURPOSE: Complete and accurate reporting of original research in the biomedical literature is essential for healthcare professionals to translate research outcomes appropriately into clinical practice. Use of reporting guidelines has become commonplace among journals, peer reviewers, and authors. This narrative review aims 1) to inform investigators, peer reviewers, and authors of original research in anesthesia on reporting guidelines for frequently reported study designs; 2) to describe the evidence supporting the use of reporting guidelines and checklists; and 3) to discuss the implications of widespread adoption of reporting guidelines by biomedical journals and peer reviewers. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Inadequate reporting can influence the interpretation, translation, and application of published research. As a result, reporting guidelines have been developed in order to improve the quality, completeness, and accuracy of original research reports. Biomedical journals increasingly endorse the use of reporting guidelines for authors and peer reviewers. To date, there is encouraging evidence that reporting guidelines improve the quality of reporting of published research, but the rates of both adoption of reporting guidelines and improvement in reporting are far from ideal. CONCLUSIONS: Use of reporting guidelines improves the quality of published research in biomedical journals. Nevertheless, the quality of research in the biomedical literature remains suboptimal despite increased adherence to reporting guidelines.

Effectiveness of preoperative screening for sickle cell disease in a population with a newborn screening program: a cohort study.

PURPOSE: Published clinical practice guidelines recommend that all patients from ethnic groups with a high prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD) undergo preoperative screening for this hemoglobinopathy. Newborn Screening Ontario initiated a universal sickle hemoglobinopathy screening program in 2006 as part of its regional newborn screening program. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of selective preoperative screening for SCD based on at-risk ethnicity in Ontario, a region that has a universal newborn sickle hemoglobinopathy screening program. METHODS: The hematology laboratory database at our hospital was searched to identify all children who underwent preoperative sickle cell screening in the 42-month period starting in November 2006 (when the newborn sickle hemoglobinopathy screening program was introduced) and ending in April 2010. Medical records of all children testing positive on hemoglobin analysis were reviewed to determine perioperative outcomes. RESULTS: Our search strategy identified 710 children who were born after the introduction of newborn screening and who underwent preoperative screening. Thirty-five of these children had abnormal sickle solubility tests - one (0.14%) was a new diagnosis (not identified by newborn screening), one had been diagnosed previously, and 33 (4.65%) were identified as having sickle cell trait. Sixty children had more than one preoperative screening test performed (range, 2-4). Six of the 35 children with abnormal sickle solubility results underwent repeated testing. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative screening based on at-risk ethnicity alone is an ineffective method of identifying additional children with SCD in Ontario, a population with universal newborn sickle hemoglobinopathy screening. In an effort to avoid unnecessary repeat testing, we propose an algorithm to help physicians decide whether to initiate preoperative sickle cell screening for children.

Major complications related to epidural analgesia in children: a 15-year audit of 3,152 epidurals.

BACKGROUND: Complications associated with epidural analgesia in children have a reported incidence of 40-90 in 10,000 epidurals. We sought to determine the incidence of major complications with the use of continuous epidural analgesia that occurred in our centre over the past 15 years and to describe the nature of these complications. METHODS: The Acute Pain Service database at a tertiary care academic pediatric hospital was reviewed retrospectively over a 15-year period. Data were categorized according to patient age (neonate, infant, child one through eight years, and child > eight years), mode of insertion of the epidural (caudal, transsacral, lumbar, thoracic), complication type, and complication severity. RESULTS: Over the 15-year period, 3,152 epidurals were performed. The use of caudal-thoracic epidurals in neonates and infants has increased since 2007. Twenty-four major complications were identified (incidence, 7.6 in 1,000 epidurals). The rate of complications in neonates was 4.2% compared with 1.4% in infants, 0.5% in children aged one through eight years, and 0.8% in children over eight years of age. The two most common complications were local skin infection and drug error. CONCLUSIONS: Our incidence of major complications and our finding that complications were more common in neonates and infants are both consistent with previously published data. The two most common types of complications are potentially preventable.

Cardiovascular MRI without sedation or general anesthesia using a feed-and-sleep technique in neonates and infants.

BACKGROUND: MRI in small children generally necessitates the use of general anesthesia. OBJECTIVE: We describe our initial results with a new technique that we name the feed-and-sleep method, whereby an infant can undergo a cardiac MRI without the need for general anesthesia or sedation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The infant is fasted for 4 h prior to the scan and is then fed by his mother prior to the scan. He is then swaddled with 1 to 2 infant sheets before being placed in a vacuum-bag immobilizer. As air is removed from the bag, the immobilizer becomes a rigid cradle that fits the infant's body. We prioritize the sequences according to the purpose of the study and in the order of clinical importance. RESULTS: Between January 2010 and January 2011 a total of 20 infants with the median age 14.5 days (minimum 2 days, maximum 155 days) underwent CMR studies via this method. All were performed successfully with no distress to the infant. The median scan time was 46.5 min (minimum 20, maximum 66). All had complex congenital heart defects and all planned sequences were acquired with sufficient quality to allow accurate diagnosis and to plan appropriate surgery. CONCLUSION: Using this technique, infants younger than 6 months can complete a cardiovascular MRI without the need for sedation or general anesthesia. We advocate the incorporation of this safe and reliable technique into routine clinical practice.

Carnitine deficiency increases susceptibility to bupivacaine-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal reports suggest that carnitine deficiency increases susceptibility to bupivacaine-induced cardiotoxicity. Bupivacaine inhibits lipid-based respiration in myocardial mitochondria via inhibition of acylcarnitine exchange in rats. The authors hypothesized that carnitine deficiency increases susceptibility to bupivacaine-induced asystole in rats and that acute repletion with L-carnitine reverses this effect. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to three groups. Rats assigned to the L-carnitine-deficient and L-carnitine-replete groups received subcutaneous D-carnitine on the 10 d before the experiment to induce L-carnitine deficiency. Control rats received an equal volume of subcutaneous normal saline. The rats were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. Bupivacaine was infused intravenously at a rate of 2.0 mg · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹ until asystole occurred. The L-carnitine-replete group received intravenous L-carnitine 100 mg · kg⁻¹ immediately before bupivacaine infusion. At asystole, blood was sampled to measure bupivacaine concentration. The primary outcome was time to asystole. RESULTS: L-carnitine deficiency significantly decreased survival duration (P < 0.0001). Time to bupivacaine-induced asystole decreased by 22% (P < 0.05) in the L-carnitine-deficient group (847 s [787-898]) (median [interquartile range]) compared with controls (1,082 s [969-1,427]). Intravenous administration of L-carnitine completely reversed the reduction in time to asystole. At asystole, the median plasma bupivacaine concentration in the L-carnitine-deficient group was 38% (P < 0.05) less than that in control animals. Plasma bupivacaine concentration was similar in L-carnitine-replete and control animals. CONCLUSIONS: Carnitine deficiency increased sensitivity to bupivacaine-induced asystole, an effect that was reversed completely by L-carnitine repletion. This study suggests that carnitine deficiency may predispose to bupivacaine-induced cardiotoxicity. L-carnitine may have a protective role against bupivacaine cardiotoxicity.

Bibliographic characteristics of the research output of pediatric anesthesiologists in Canada.

PURPOSE: Various bibliometric citation indices have been used to evaluate research productivity and scientific impact, but recently, Hirsch's h-index has gained widespread recognition. Although described initially for physical sciences, h-indices are being used to assess research productivity and impact in other disciplines. METHODS: In this descriptive study, Scopus and Web of Science(R) citation databases were used to identify the bibliographic characteristics of pediatric anesthesiologists from all university affiliated departments of pediatric anesthesia in Canada up to May 2009. For each anesthesiologist, the h-index, mean citations per publication, total number of publications, total number of citations, and year of first publication were determined. RESULTS: A study population of 151 pediatric anesthesiologists was identified. The range of h-index values for this cohort was 0-32 with a median (interquartile range) of 2 (1-5). The 90(th) percentile was 8.0. The median (interquartile range) number of citations per publication was 6 (1-15), with a range of 0-87. The median (interquartile range) number of publications was 4 (1-9) with a range of 0-165. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the bibliographic characteristics of the research output of pediatric anesthesiologists in Canada. This study highlights the growing influence of scientometrics on the evaluation of scientific performance in medical specialties.

Drug-induced acute pancreatitis in children receiving chemotherapy for acute leukemia: does propofol increase the risk?

BACKGROUND: The use of propofol is controversial in patients with a history of acute pancreatitis or those taking drugs, including certain chemotherapeutic drugs, that are associated with pancreatitis. METHODS: To investigate this issue, we reviewed the medical records of all children who were diagnosed with pancreatitis while receiving chemotherapy for acute leukemia during a 5-year period. RESULTS: A temporal relationship between propofol use and development of acute pancreatitis could not be established. CONCLUSION: Propofol can be considered for general anesthesia in children who are receiving chemotherapeutic drugs that are themselves associated with acute pancreatitis or those who have a history of chemotherapy-induced pancreatitis.