Robotic Stereotactic Assistance (ROSA) for Pediatric Epilepsy: A Single-Center Experience of 23 Consecutive Cases.

Robotic assisted neurosurgery has become increasingly utilized for its high degree of precision and minimally invasive approach. Robotic stereotactic assistance (ROSA®) for neurosurgery has been infrequently reported in the pediatric population. The goal of this case series was to describe the clinical experience, anesthetic and operative management, and treatment outcomes for pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy undergoing ROSA® neurosurgery at a single-center institution. Patients who underwent implantation of stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) leads for intractable epilepsy with ROSA® were retrospectively evaluated between August 2016 and June 2018. Demographics, perioperative management details, complications, and preliminary seizure outcomes after resective or ablative surgery were reviewed. Nineteen children who underwent 23 ROSA® procedures for SEEG implantation were included in the study. Mean operative time was 148 min. Eleven patients had subsequent resective or ablative surgery, and ROSA® was used to assist with laser probe insertion in five patients for seizure foci ablation. In total, 148 SEEG electrodes were placed without any perioperative complications. ROSA® is minimally invasive, provides superior accuracy for electrode placement, and requires less time than traditional surgical approaches for brain mapping. This emerging technology may improve the perioperative outcomes for pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy since large craniotomies are avoided; however, long-term follow-up studies are needed.

Anesthetic Management of Two Pediatric Patients With Concurrent Diagnoses of Mitochondrial Disease and Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptibility: A Case Report.

We report the case of 2 pediatric patients with coexisting diagnoses of malignant hyperthermia susceptibility and mitochondrial disease in 2 different surgical settings. Due to the rare occurrence of each disorder, and even more so together, we reviewed evidence-based anesthetic concerns and described our perioperative management, with the goal of aiding future practitioners in safely caring for these patients. Consent was obtained for both patients, as well as IRB approval before publication.

Are Prior Experience and Subspecialty Training Time Predictive of Pediatric Anesthesia Exit Exam Scores for Rotating CA-2 Residents?

BACKGROUND: Anesthesiology residency programs commonly have rotations at free-standing children's hospitals to provide and/or supplement their residents' training in pediatric anesthesia. Length and timing of these rotations differ from program to program as can their residents' existing medical knowledge and clinical skills. We predicted that residents with prior pediatric anesthesia experience, who rotate at our pediatric institution for two consecutive months, will score higher on an exit exam compared to residents without prior pediatric experience or those that only rotate for one month. METHODS: A 50-question multiple choice test was created using pediatric questions released from The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) written examinations. The test was administered and proctored at the end of each rotation. Study participants came from three different programs: Program A offers prior pediatric anesthesia experience and a one month rotation; Program B - offers prior pediatric anesthesia experience and a two month rotation; and Program C - does not offer prior pediatric anesthesia experience but includes a two month rotation. RESULTS: The 2014-2015 cohort consisted of 26 rotating second-year clinical anesthesia (CA-2) residents. One resident's exam scores were excluded from this study due to protocol violation. Mean exam scores for Program A, B, and C were 70.5% ± 5.7, 64.2% ± 7.0, and 67.3% ± 4.3, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the exit exam scores among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Prior pediatric anesthesia experience or length of time for subspecialty rotation was not associated with any significant difference in exit exam scores for CA-2 residents.