The effect of anesthesia without opioid on perioperative opioid demand in children with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for adenotonsillectomies - single-center retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Children with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) carry a higher risk of respiratory complications after adenotonsillectomy. Their altered sensitivity to opioids may be a significant contributor to respiratory morbidity. The purpose of this study was to identify how anesthesia without opioids affects perioperative opioid demand and postoperative course. METHODS: A chart review of children with severe OSA (apnea hypoxia index; AHI ≥ 10) undergoing adenotonsillectomies was performed. Comorbidities and perioperative medications were documented. Perioperative opioid doses within 48 h of procedure were calculated as morphine equivalents (mcg/kg). Pain scores, rescue medications, and postoperative complications in PICU and non-PICU settings were also documented. Anesthesia without opioid and with opioid groups were compared. RESULTS: The analysis included 225 children. A significantly higher percentage of children received no postoperative opioids in the anesthesia without opioid group compared to those with opioid (46 of 88 children vs. 43 of 137; P < 0.05). The incidence of severe postoperative pain between the two groups was not different in PICU (P = 0.88) or non-PICU setting (P = 0.84). Perioperative opioid administration was significantly lower in anesthesia without opioid (median, Q1, Q3: 0.0, 0.0, 83.0) compared to with opioid (144.4, 72.5, 222.2; P < 0.01). Anesthesia without opioid was one of the independent factors to achieve perioperative opioid avoidance (<50mcg/kg). CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesia without opioid for children with severe OSA for tonsillectomy significantly reduced perioperative demand for opioid and did not affect the occurrence of severe pain. Anesthesia without opioid is an effective strategy to minimalize opioid demand perioperatively for children with severe OSA for tonsillectomy.

PICU admission and complications following adenotonsillectomies in pediatric patients: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have higher risks of post-operative respiratory complication after adenotonsillectomy. However, there is no clinical standard criteria for pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission following adenotonsillectomy. The purpose of this study was to identify perioperative risk factors associated with the need for PICU level care after adenotonsillectomy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of children with severe OSA (apnea hypopnea index on polysomnography; AHI ≥10) and/or post-operative PICU admission at a tertiary academic center from May 2010 to September 2018. We collected demographics, pre-existing comorbidities, perioperative medications, and post-operative complications. We defined a primary outcome as escalation of airway management while in the PICU or PICU stay >48 h. Airway escalation included the need for an invasive airway, new CPAP application, increased CPAP setting, or increased supplemental oxygen. RESULTS: Analysis included 278 children with severe OSA and/or PICU admission. Median age was 6.6 years old; 181 (65%) were admitted to the PICU, and 60 (21.5%) had the composite outcome of escalation of airway management or prolonged stay. In patients with an escalation of airway management, 28 needed intubation or mechanical ventilation. Multivariable logistic regression showed intraoperative respiratory complications, polysomnography (PSG) peak end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) reading >60 mmHg, and the presence of neuromuscular disease as significant associated factors for escalation of airway management or prolonged PICU stay (P values < 0.01; odd ratios 3.4, 5.3, and 5.4, respectively). CONCLUSION: For children following adenotonsillectomy, PSG EtCO2 ≥ 60%, preexisting neuromuscular disease, and intraoperative complications (hypoxia, difficult airway, etc.) were independently associated with escalation of airway management or prolonged stay. AHI was not an independent predictor for PICU complication. We concluded factors should be considered for PICU admission in addition to AHI.

Urgent surgery for COVID-19-positive pediatric patient.

BACKGROUND: We present a case of COVID-19-positive pediatric patient for urgent urological surgery by spinal anesthesia to avoid aerosolizing procedure. CASE PRESENTATION: A 12-year-old, COVID-19-positive boy presented for urgent wound incision and drainage at the circumcision site. Our anesthetic plan consisted of spinal anesthesia with sedation. He was transported from the COVID-19 isolation floor to the negative pressure operating room. He was placed in lateral decubitus position and oxygen was delivered through facemask. Under sedation, spinal anesthesia was achieved at first attempt. The patient maintained spontaneous ventilation without airway intervention. Patient was recovered in the operation room then transported back to the floor. CONCLUSION: Spinal anesthesia is a safe alternative to general endotracheal anesthesia for many pediatric urology procedures. Effective team communication and preparation are keys when caring COVID-19-positive patient in perioperative setting to avoid minimize the risk to healthcare providers.

Anesthesia for pediatric patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: A retrospective case series.

INTRODUCTION: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is caused by auto-antibodies that target the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Autonomic instability is a hallmark of the disease. The objective of this case series is to examine how anesthesia affects pediatric patients with this disease. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 28 records in 17 patients who underwent anesthesia. Our primary outcomes were hemodynamic changes during the perioperative period. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation comprise our endpoints. A subgroup of patients, who underwent imaging with anesthesia, was then compared to controls. RESULTS: In anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis cases, there were significant percent changes from baseline in heart rate; median = -14.3%, 95% CI (-19.3, -9.0), p < .01 at 30 min and -15.7%, (-21.1, -9.8), p < .01 at 60 min; in systolic blood pressure, -19.4%, (-23.7, -14.8) at 30 min, p < .01, and -14.8%, (-19.7, -9.5) at 60 min, p < .01; in diastolic blood pressure, -41.9%, (-46.9, -36.3), p < .01 at 30 min, and -37.5%, (-43.4, -30.9), p < .01 at 60 min. When compared to controls, there were no significant differences between the two groups across time of anesthesia (baseline to 60 min) in heart rate (p = .24), systolic blood pressure (p = .30), and diastolic blood pressure (p = .11). No patients experienced hemodynamic lability under anesthesia. One patient, with severe symptoms, died within 24 h of anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Although pediatric patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis experienced vital sign changes with anesthesia, they were not clinically significant and they behaved similarly to controls. Disease severity may be a risk factor for perioperative complications.

Low-dose dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to propofol infusion for children in MRI: A double-cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Propofol is an effective sedative for magnetic resonance imaging. Nevertheless, it may cause hemodynamic and respiratory complications in a dose dependent fashion. We investigated the role of low-dose dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg) as an adjuvant to propofol sedation for children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging. We hypothesized that dexmedetomidine would decrease the propofol dose required, airway complications, and hemodynamic instability. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients' age of 1 month to 20 years. Children were divided into 2 groups; group P received only propofol; group D + P received intravenous bolus of dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg) and propofol. RESULTS: We reviewed 172 children in P and 129 in D + P (dexmedetomidine dose, median: 0.50 µg/kg (IQR: 0.45-0.62). An additional dexmedetomidine bolus was given to 17 children for sedation lasting longer than 2 hours. Total propofol dose (µg/kg/min) was significantly higher in group P than D + P; 215.0 (182.6-253.8) vs 147.6 (127.5-180.9); Median Diff = -67.8; 95%CI = -80.6, -54.9; P < .0001. There was no difference in recovery time (minutes); P: 28 (17-39) vs D + P: 27 (18-41); Median Diff = -1; 95%CI = -6.0, 4.0; P = .694. The need for airway support was significantly greater in P compared to D + P; 15/172 vs 3/129; OR = 0.25; 95%CI = 0.07 to 0.90; P = .02 (2-sample proportions test). Mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in P compared to D + P across time over 60 minutes after induction (coef = -0.06, 95%CI = -0.11, -0.02, P = .004). DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION: A low-dose bolus of dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg) used as an adjuvant can decrease the propofol requirement for children undergoing sedation for magnetic resonance imaging. This may decrease the need for airway support and contribute to improved hemodynamic stability without prolonging recovery time.

Mainstream capnography system for nonintubated children in the postanesthesia care unit: Performance with changing flow rates, and a comparison to side stream capnography.

INTRODUCTION: Monitoring of exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2 ) in nonintubated patients is challenging. We compared the precision of a mainstream mask capnography to side stream sampling nasal cannula capnography. In addition, we compared the effect of gas flow rates on the measured exhaled CO2 between mainstream mask and side stream nasal cannula capnography. METHODS: A mainstream mask capnography system (cap-ONE) was tested. Children (weight of 7-40 kg, ASA 1-2) following anesthesia for minor procedures were assigned randomly to side stream or mainstream sampling groups. The side stream group wore a nasal cannula with CO2 side port (NC). In the postanesthesia care unit, O2 flow was started at 5 l·min-1 , reduced to 2 and then 0.25 l·min-1 every 3 min. Capnogram analysis measuring heights of all the waveforms was performed for continuous 120 s from the end of recording at each O2 flow rate for each group. RESULTS: Fifty-eight children were enrolled and 39 were analyzed (18 side stream NC and 21 mainstream mask). There were two mouth breathing children excluded from study in side stream NC group due to failure to capture measurable CO2 waveforms. Peak CO2 values measured by mainstream mask system were normally (Gaussian) distributed with smaller standard deviation (sd) at each O2 flow than were those measured by side stream NC system which demonstrated irregular distributions with larger sd. Peak CO2 values measurement was less affected by a change in flow rate in mainstream mask group than in side stream NC group (P = 0.04 in 5-0.25 l·min-1 O2 flow change). CONCLUSION: A new mainstream mask system (cap-ONE) performed with greater precision than side stream NC monitoring regardless of mouth breathing. Measurement of peak CO2 values by mainstream mask system showed normal distribution with smaller standard deviation (sd) and was less affected by O2 flow change in predictable fashion.