The use of point of care gastric ultrasound and anesthesia management in pediatric patients with preoperative fasting non-adherence scheduled for elective surgical procedures: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Failure to adhere to perioperative fasting requirements increases aspiration risk and can lead to delay or cancellation of surgery. Point of care gastric ultrasound may guide decision-making to delay, cancel or proceed with surgery. METHODS: This study aimed to describe gastric contents using point of care gastric ultrasound in pediatric patients with known fasting guideline violations presenting for elective surgery. This was a single-center retrospectivechart review of gastric ultrasound scans in patients presenting for elective surgeries with "nothing by mouth" violation (per fasting guidelines) or unclear fasting status. The primary outcome is description of gastric contents using point of care ultrasound. The ultrasound findings were classified as low-risk for aspiration (empty, clear fluid < 1.5 ml/kg), high-risk (solids, clear fluid > 1.5 ml/kg), or inconclusive study. Gastric ultrasound findings were communicated to the attending anesthesiologist. For patients proceeding without delay the estimated time saved was defined as the difference between ultrasound scan time and presumed case start time based on American Society of Anesthesiologists fasting guidelines. RESULTS: We identified 106 patients with a median age of 4.8 years. There were 31 patients (29.2%) that had ultrasound finding of high-risk gastric contents. These patients had cases that were delayed, cancelled or proceeded with rapid sequence intubation. Sixty-six patients (62.3%) were determined to be low-risk gastric contents and proceeded with surgery without delay. For these patients, a median of 2.6 h was saved. No aspiration events were recorded for any patients. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to use preoperative point of care gastric ultrasound to determine stomach contents and risk-stratify pediatric patients presenting for elective surgical procedures with fasting non-adherence. Preoperative gastric ultrasound may have a role in determining changes in anesthetic management in this patient population.

Feasibility study of cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis as a competency assessment tool for ultrasound-guided venous access procedures.

PURPOSE: Typically, physician training programs use a self-reported case-log competency assessment that does not measure procedure success or objectively assess competency. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis could provide objective assessments of competency and progress over the training period. Our study objective was to determine the feasibility of CUSUM analysis to assess competency of ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous (USG-PIV) line placement in pediatric anesthesiology fellows. METHODS: We applied a CUSUM analysis to assess competency in USG-PIV placement in three consecutive pediatric anesthesia fellowship classes. After a didactic and hands-on training session, fellows placed a USG-PIV line and self-reported the outcomes via a web-based application. Fellows were deemed competent if the CUSUM curve crossed two consecutive boundary lines from above. RESULTS: Twenty-nine fellows reported 1,388 USG-PIV attempts, with 74% success. Most fellows (26/29; 90%) achieved competency by the end of the fellowship. Two fellows identified in the mid-year CUSUM as not progressing towards competency achieved competency after targeted interventions. Fellows achieving competency (11/29 vs 25/29; odds ratio, 15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.98 to 113.56; P = 0.01) and attempts needed to achieve competency (19 vs 11; mean difference, 8.5; 95% CI, 3.3 to 13.7; P = 0.002) were significantly lower in younger patients and significantly higher in older patients. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that CUSUM can be used to assess competence in USG-PIV procedures performed by pediatric anesthesia fellows and to identify learners not progressing toward competency in procedural skills. Ultrasound-guided venous access required more attempts to achieve competency in younger patients.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: En règle générale, les programmes de formation des médecins se fondent sur une évaluation autodéclarée des compétences dans un registre des cas qui ne mesure pas la réussite de l'intervention et n'évalue pas objectivement la compétence. L'analyse du cumul des écarts (CUSUM - pour CUmulative SUM) pourrait fournir des évaluations objectives des compétences et des progrès au cours de la période de formation. L'objectif de notre étude était de déterminer la faisabilité d'une analyse CUSUM pour évaluer la compétence pour le positionnement du cathéter intraveineux périphérique échoguidé (CIP-écho) des fellows en anesthésiologie pédiatrique. MéTHODE: Nous avons appliqué une analyse CUSUM pour évaluer la compétence pour le positionnement du CIP-écho de trois classes consécutives de fellows en anesthésie pédiatrique. Après une séance de formation didactique et pratique, les fellows ont placé un cathéter CIP-écho et ont déclaré eux-même les résultats via une application Web. Les fellows étaient jugés compétents si la courbe CUSUM franchissait deux lignes de démarcation consécutives à partir du haut. RéSULTATS: Vingt-neuf fellows ont rapporté 1388 tentatives de CIP-écho, avec un taux de réussite de 74 %. La plupart des fellows (26/29; 90 %) ont acquis la compétence à la fin de leur fellowship. Deux fellows identifiés dans l'analyse CUSUM de mi-année comme ne progressant pas vers la compétence sont parvenus à l'acquérir après des interventions ciblées. Les fellows acquérant cette compétence (11/29 vs 25/29; rapport de cotes, 15; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, 1,98 à 113,56; P = 0,01) et les tentatives nécessaires pour acquérir la compétence (19 vs 11; différence moyenne, 8,5; IC 95 %, 3,3 à 13,7; P = 0,002) étaient significativement plus basses avec des patients plus jeunes et significativement plus élevés chez les patients plus âgés. CONCLUSION: Notre étude a montré qu'une analyse CUSUM pouvait être utilisée pour évaluer la compétence pour les procédures de CIP-écho réalisées par des fellows en anesthésie pédiatrique et pour identifier les apprenants qui ne progressent pas vers la compétence en habiletés opératoires. L'accès veineux échoguidé a nécessité davantage de tentatives pour atteindre la compétence chez les patients plus jeunes.

Outcomes of dexmedetomidine sedation for drug-induced sleep ciné magnetic resonance imaging studies in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea patients.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine is utilized as a sedative agent for drug-induced sleep cine magnetic resonance imaging studies due to its ability to mimic natural sleep and lack of respiratory depressant effects. The outcomes of dexmedetomidine sedation such as respiratory complications and unplanned admissions in obstructive sleep apnea patients undergoing these studies are currently unknown. AIM: To describe the outcomes of dexmedetomidine sedation for outpatient drug-induced sleep magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review conducted in pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea undergoing outpatient drug-induced sleep ciné magnetic resonance imaging studies with dexmedetomidine sedation. Demographics, comorbidities, polysomnography study results, vital signs, respiratory complications, airway interventions, successful completion of the scan, and unplanned hospital admissions were measured. MAIN RESULTS: We analyzed 337 patients aged 2-18 years (median age of 11 years). The imaging was completed with dexmedetomidine as the sole sedative agent in 61% (N = 207) patients. Ketamine was administered as additional sedative agent in 36% (N = 122) of the patients. There was no difference in sedation-related adverse events and respiratory complications with regard to the severity of sleep apnea with the exception of mild desaturation episodes (SpO2 85%-90%). Patients who received additional sedative agents had significantly longer recovery room stay (71.5 [44] vs 55 [39] minutes; 95% CI of difference [9 to 23 min], p < 0.001) and total periprocedural stay (164.5 [52] vs 138 [64] minutes; 95% CI of difference [17 to 35 min], p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine alone or along with ketamine provided acceptable sedation in majority of the patients with obstructive sleep apnea undergoing outpatient diagnostic sleep magnetic resonance imaging studies without significant respiratory adverse events regardless of the severity of sleep apnea. Sedation failure and unplanned admissions are rare, and routine planned admission may not be required for this patient population.

Airway management of congenital pulmonary airway malformation resection in neonates and infants: A case cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Anesthestic management of congenital pulmonary airway malformation has not been well described in the literature. It is not clear whether one-lung ventialtion is indicated during thoracoscopic lobectomy and if so, what is the best technique achieve it. AIMS: We describe the variables with the two commonly performed surgical techniques, thoracoscopic lobectomy and open thoracotomy, from our institutional database to assess the role of lung isolation and the preferable method of lung isolation technique for congenital pulmonary airway malformation resections. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, fetal center records were reviewed retrospectively from January 2010 to July 2016 for patients who underwent congenital pulmonary airway malformation resection. The primary goal was to describe the anesthesia induction-airway management techniques with emphasis on one-lung ventilation techniques. RESULTS: Among the 65 resections, one-lung ventilation was performed in 30 resections (46%) and was primarily achieved by endobronchial intubation in most cases (80%). One-lung ventilation was performed in a greater number of resections with thoracoscopic lobectomy (96%) compared to open thoracotomies. CONCLUSION: From our institution cohort, one-lung ventilation was more commonly used during thoracoscopic resections and was most commonly achieved with endobronchial intubation. Most patients were induced with inhalational anesthesia (sevoflurane), nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocker, and gentle positive pressure ventilation for intubation.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Gastric Volume Measurement in a Pediatric Patient-Look Beyond the Antrum: A Case Report.

Gastric ultrasound estimates stomach contents in perioperative patients. A 10-year-old boy with abdominal rhabdomyosarcoma, who received abdominal radiation, developed gastroparesis and was scheduled for endoscopic gastrointestinal pyloric dilation. Point-of-care gastric ultrasound revealed gastric antral cross-sectional area of 6.5 cm2 (estimated gastric content ~30 mL). However, dynamic right-to-left ultrasound revealed more hypoechoic material in the fundus of the stomach. On induction ~125 mL of stomach contents was suctioned. Antral measurements may not accurately predict the stomach contents in the setting of a stiff/fixed antrum. Scanning from antrum to fundus determined contents more accurately, especially with a prior history of abdominal radiation.

Assessing Residual Gastric Fluid Volume after Administering Diluted Oral Contrast until One Hour Prior to Anesthesia in Children: An Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Gastric fluid volume has been used as a surrogate marker for pulmonary aspiration risk in studies evaluating fasting protocol safety. This study measured residual gastric fluid volume in children using a protocol in which diluted oral contrast medium was administered up until one hour before anesthesia. Methods: This was a single-center prospective observational cohort trial of 70 children for elective abdominal/pelvic computed tomography (CT). Imaging was performed after diluted enteral contrast medium administration, beginning two hours before and ending at least one hour before induction. For each patient, gastric fluid volume was calculated using an image region of interest. The primary outcome measure was gastric fluid volume measured using the computed tomography image. Results: The median time from the end of contrast administration to imaging was 1.5 h (range: 1.1 to 2.2 h). Residual gastric volume, measured using CT was <0.4 mL/Kg in 33%; ≥0.4 mL/Kg in 67%; and ≥1.5 mL/Kg in 44% of patients. Residual gastric volumes measured using CT and aspiration were moderately correlated (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.41, p = 0.0003). However, the median residual gastric volume measured using CT (1.17, IQR: 0.22 to 2.38 mL/Kg) was higher than that of aspiration (0.51, IQR: 0 to 1.58 mL/Kg, p = 0.0008 on differences in paired measures). Three cases of vomiting were reported. No evidence of pulmonary aspiration was identified. Conclusions: Children who receive large quantities of clear fluid up to one hour before anesthesia can have a significant gastric residual volume.

What Is the Role of Dexmedetomidine in Modern Anesthesia and Critical Care?

Dexmedetomidine's unique sedative properties have led to its widespread use. Dexmedetomidine has a beneficial pharmacologic profile including analgesic sparing effects, anxiolysis, sympatholysis, organ-protective effects against ischemic and hypoxic injury, and sedation which parallels natural sleep. An understanding of predictable side effects, effects of age-related physiologic changes, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of dexmedetomidine is crucial to maximize its safe administration in adults and children. This review focuses on the growing body of literature examining advances in applications of dexmedetomidine in children and adults.

Pediatric Pain Screening Tool: A Simple 9-Item Questionnaire Predicts Functional and Chronic Postsurgical Pain Outcomes After Major Musculoskeletal Surgeries.

Reliable, clinic-friendly screening for Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) risk is unavailable. Within a prospective, observational study, we evaluated Pediatric Pain Screening Tool (PPST), a concise 9-item questionnaire, as a preoperative screening tool to identify those at higher risk for CPSP (Numerical Rating Scale > 3/10 beyond 3 months post-surgery) and poor function (disability/Functional Disability Inventory [FDI]/quality of life/ Pediatric Quality of Life) after spine fusion and Nuss procedures. Incidence of CPSP was 34.86% (38/109). We confirmed PPST scale stability, test re-test reliability (ICC = 0.68; P< .001); PPST measures were positively correlated with known CPSP risk factors (P< .001) preoperative pain (Pearson or Spearman Correlation Coefficient [SCC]:0.672), Child anxiety sensitivity index (SCC:0.357), Patient Related Outcome Measures Information System pain interference (SCC:0.569), Patient Related Outcome Measures Information System depression (SCC:0.501), Pediatric Quality of Life (SCC:-0.460) and insomnia severity index (SCC0.567). Preoperative PPST and PPST physical sub-scores (median(IQR) were higher in CPSP (2[0.5,4], 1[0,2]) compared to non-CPSP (1[0,3], 0[0,1.5]) groups (P= .026, P= .029) respectively. PPST scores/sub-scores positively correlated with higher FDI at 6 months but only PPST total and PPST psychosocial subscore correlated with higher FDI at 12 months. Based on ROC, optimal PPST cutoff for CPSP was 2 (63.9% sensitivity, 64.7% specificity). CPSP risk was high (48.94% risk) if PPST ≥ 2 (n = 47) and medium (22.81%) if PPST < 2 (n = 57) after spine/pectus surgery. General and risk-strata specific, targeted psychosocial non-pharmacological interventions, need to be studied. Findings need validation in diverse, larger cohorts. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT02998138. PERSPECTIVE: The article supports Pediatric Pain Screening Tool, a simple 9-item questionnaire, as a preoperative screening tool for CPSP and function 6-12 months after spine/pectus surgeries. PPST measures correlate with known risk factors for CPSP. Risk stratification and targeted preventive interventions in high-risk subjects are proposed.

Perioperative concerns in transoral robotic surgery: Initial experience of four cases.

US Food and Drug Administration has recently approved transoral robotic surgery for the treatment of some benign tumors and selected malignant tumors of the head and neck. Robotically-assistance in ear, nose and throat surgery is established and will play an increasingly large role in the future of surgical practice. Anesthesiologists need to modify their management and familiarize themselves with the upcoming robotic procedures to ensure better patient outcomes and improve patient safety.