Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation after Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Experience.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving treatment option providing cardiopulmonary support when standard therapies prove insufficient for reversible diseases. The mean objective of this study was to evaluate our center's experience with ECMO following pediatric cardiac surgery. This retrospective study was conducted in our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between November 2014 and March 2021 and included patients who received ECMO following cardiac surgery. Over the 7-year period, 324 patients underwent cardiac surgery, of which 24 (7.4%) required ECMO support. Among them, 13 (54.2%) were female, with a median age of 16.0 (2.0- 208) months and a median weight of 7.0 (3.5-70) kg. The mean vasoactive inotrope score (VIS) was 53.9 ± 44.5. Atrioventricular septal defect repair was the most common surgical procedure (n = 8/24, 41.6%). The primary indication for ECMO was low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) in 14 (58.3%) patients. The median duration of ECMO support was 6.0 (1.0-46.0) days. Nonsurvivors had significantly higher Pediatric Risk Score of Mortality (PRISM) III scores (P = .014) and VIS scores during the pre-ECMO period (P = .004). Early or late neurological complications developed in 12 (50%) patients, with significant differences in lactate levels and pH levels preECMO between those with and without neurological complications (P = .01, P = .02, respectively). We successfully decannulated 16 (66.6%) patients, with a final survival rate of 12 (50%). ECMO plays a crucial role in providing pre- and post-cardiac surgery support for children. LCOS remains the main indication, and high PRISM III and VIS scores are valuable predictors of outcomes.

Is Laryngeal Mask a Good Alternative in Children Undergoing Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair with Percutaneous Internal Ring Suturing Under and Over Two Years Old?

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate respiratory parameters during percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS) for inguinal hernia repair in two different-aged pediatric patients in whom the airway is provided with a laryngeal mask or endotracheal tube for general anaesthesia. Methods: After local ethics committee and parental consent, 180 ASAI-II children were randomly allocated to 4 groups; according to their age (0-24 months / 25-144 months) and airway device laryngeal mask (LMA) / endotracheal tube (ETT) used for general anaesthesia (45 children each) for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Standard anaesthesia induction was done with lidocaine, propofol, and fentanyl, and 0.6 mg kg-1 rocuronium was added to the ETT groups. Sevoflurane is used for maintenance. Hemodynamic parameters, peak airway pressure, end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2), and peripheric oxygen saturation (SpO2) values were recorded after induction, before, and during pneumoperitoneum. The duration of anaesthesia, surgery, recovery time, and surgical satisfaction was recorded. Airway complications (cough, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, desaturation, and aspiration) were recorded. Results: Hundred and eighty patients (45 in each group) were analyzed. Duration of surgery and surgical satisfaction were similar in all groups. Duration of anaesthesia and recovery times were significantly shorter in the LMA groups. Peak airway pressure and EtCO2 levels were significantly lower in the LMA groups. Rare airway complications were observed without significance. Conclusion: In laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair with the PIRS technique, LMA offered comparable operating conditions and surgical satisfaction.

Effects of intraperitoneal bupivacaine injection in laparoscopic appendectomy in children on post-operative pain: A controlled randomized double-blinded study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of local anesthetics administered intraperitoneally in laparoscopic appendectomy. METHODS: Patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy due to acute appendicitis were enrolled in the study. The children were divided into two groups. Intraperitoneal bupivacaine injection to appendectomy site and subdiaphragmatic area was performed after resection of appendix and aspirastion of intraperitoneal reactive fluid in Group 1 while Group 2 did not receive this therapy. The children were questioned by a nurse at postoperative 1st, 6th, 12th, and 24th h. Pain scores (PS) (abdominal), abdominal wall incisional pain (IP), shoulder pain (SP), and first need for analgesics were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty children were enrolled to the study. There was no significant difference in PS values and IP values between the two groups (p>0.05). SP values at 12th and 24th h were significantly lower in Group 1 (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant reduce in analgesic need in Group 1 (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: Intraperitoneal bupivacaine instillation to surgery site and subdiaphragmatic area seems to reduce the SP post-opera-tive and also reduce post-operative analgesic need. More meaningful results can be obtained with an increase in the number of patients.

Comparison of the C-MAC D-Blade videolaryngoscope and direct laryngoscope in pediatric patients: Randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal intubation is a key skill for clinicians and may be challenging in some patients due to various reasons. Nowadays, various kinds of videolaryngoscopes are available and usually used as a rescue device when direct laryngoscopy failed. Pediatric airway has some differences when compared with adults and may be challenging. This study aims to compare and evaluate C Mac D-Blade and commonly used Macintosh laryngoscope in pediatric patients. METHODS: In this study, 56 pediatric patients, 5-10 years old (10-40 kgs) who had undergone elective surgery and need endotracheal intubation were included after obtaining ethical board approval and informed consent from parents. The patients were randomized into two equal groups for laryngoscopy and intubation by either with Macintosh laryngoscope or C Mac D-Blade videolaryngoscope. Glottic view, number of attempts, intubation time, any complications and hemodynamic variables were recorded. A value of p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In pediatric patients with unanticipated difficult airway, the mean intubation time was significantly shorter with C Mac D-Blade (21±9 and 41±7 seconds, respectively (p<0.001). The results of the two groups were similar concerning the remaining parameters. CONCLUSION: C Mac D-Blade videolaryngoscope shortened intubation time about twice when compared to Macintosh blade C Mac D-Blade videolaryngoscope, Videolaryngoscopes may be a good alternative for routine intubation, education and a rescue device for difficult intubation.

First Reported Cochlear Implantation in a Child with Total Artificial Heart.

We report a case of 15-year-old boy with postlingual bilateral total hearing loss following ototoxic medication during his pediatric intensive care unit stay. The patient received the SynCardia total artificial heart implant (50 mL; SynCardia Systems, Inc., Tucson, AZ, USA) for end-stage biventricular heart failure as a bridge to heart transplant. During his time on the urgent heart transplant wait list, he underwent successful cochlear implantation following optimized coagulation and hemostasis status and appropriate anesthetic preparation. Our case represents the world's first successful cochlear implant in a pediatric patient who received an artificial heart. Despite complexities in this patient population, elective surgical procedures can be performed safely with acceptable morbidity using a collaborative approach with the heart transplant team, including input from cardiovascular surgery, pediatric cardiology, anes thesiology, consultation-liaison psychiatry, physical therapy and rehabilitation, infectious diseases and clinical microbiology, and intensive care unit staff.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell and liver transplantation in a young girl with dedicator of cytokinesis 8 protein deficiency.

DOCK8 deficiency is a rare inherited combined immunodeficiency, caused by mutations in the DOCK8 gene. We describe a case with DOCK8 deficiency associated with severe CLD in whom orthotopic LT was performed successfully after allogeneic HSCT. A 5 year-old girl with DOCK8 deficiency presented with mild direct hyperbilirubinemia and abnormal GGT level and without a previous history of jaundice. She had severe growth retardation, hepatosplenomegaly and generalized eczema. Progressive worsening of CLD was observed within 4 months. Investigations for etiology of liver disease were negative. Liver biopsy showed bridging necrosis, cholestasis and, cirrhosis. Recurrent immune hemolytic crisis and several viral infections developed in follow-up. She underwent whole cadaveric LT for end-stage liver disease (ESLD) 1 year after allogenic HSCT from a full matched related donor. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient is alive with normal liver function and moderate skin graft versus host disease for 36 months after LT. In conclusion DOCK8 deficiency can be associated with severe CLD. Successful LT following HSCT is possible in patients with ESLD in DOCK8 deficiency. The timing of LT is challenging in patients requiring both HSCT and LT since conditioning regimens for HSCT can be highly hepatotoxic and the patients with suboptimal liver function can become decompensated during HSCT.

Stuck tunneled central venous catheters in children: Four cases removed by angiography assistance.

Ates U, Tastekin NY, Mammadov F, Ergün E, Göllü G, Can ÖS, Uçar T, Bingöl-Kologlu M, Yagmurlu A, Aktug T. Stuck tunneled central venous catheters in children: Four cases removed by angiography assistance. Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60: 221-224. Adherent tunneled catheters can usually be removed by a surgical cut down, but in some cases the line can become stuck to the wall of the central veins. In such cases, forceful traction can cause vascular injury, or fracture of the catheter. We present four cases of fixated cuffed tunneled catheters. Three children had acute lymphoblastic leukemia and one had an immunodeficiency syndrome. All catheters were made from polyurethane. Indwelling times were 12-24 months. All patients` catheters were removed with great difficulty by trans-femoral access. The angiography-assisted technique is safe and easily-applied for the removal of stuck catheters in pediatric patients. These cases raise important questions concerning the maximum indwelling time and the choice of catheter material when implanting permanent central venous catheters (CVCs) in children.

Pediatric laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in Turkey: Short-term results.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is one of the most rapidly increasing health problems in children. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the best treatment options and is feasible and safe in children. The aim of this study was to present the short-term results of a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy series in children. METHODS: Children who underwent LSG in 2014-2017 were included in the study. Charts were investigated retrospectively and short-term weight loss was analyzed. RESULTS: Patients who had surgery in 2014-2017 were included in the study. There were six girls and two boys, and the median age was 15 years (range, 11-18 years). Mean weight was 159.25 ± 19.78 kg, and mean body mass index was 61.05 ± 8.5 kg/m2 . Mean operation time was 70 min (range, 65-90 min), mean hospital stay was 5.1 days (range, 3-7 days), and mean follow up was 19.2 months (range, 1-43 months). Of these patients, five had hypertension and were under medication and two of these five also had hyperinsulinemia. One of the five children had Bardet-Biedl syndrome and one had bronchial asthma. After operation, medication was stopped in four of the eight children. At the time of writing, six patients were doing well without postoperative complications, or the need for reoperation. CONCLUSION: Even though the follow-up period was short and the number of patients was small, LSG was a feasible and promising surgical method for morbidly obese children. A multidisciplinary approach and lifelong behavior therapy are key steps for success.

Comparison of different extubation techniques in lumbar surgery: prone extubation versus supine extubation with or without prior injection of intravenous lidocaine.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of coughing and breath holding in patients undergoing lumbar surgery extubated in prone position, supine position, or supine position with intravenous lidocaine before extubation. About 105 ASA I to II patients undergoing lumbar surgery were extubated in prone position in group P (n = 35), in supine position in group S (n = 35) and in supine position with intravenous 1.5 mg/kg lidocaine 10 minutes before extubation in group SL (n = 35). The number of patients who coughed and demonstrated breath holding was noted at emergence period. The time of loss of monitoring while repositioning the patient was recorded. The frequency of cough in group S was higher compared with group P at 1 minute after extubation (P = 0.008). Two and three minutes after extubation, the patients in group S demonstrated higher cough incidence compared with groups P and SL (P < 0.05). The incidence of breath holding in the first 6 minutes was lower in group P (n = 11) compared with groups S (n = 29) and SL (n = 25)(P = 0.001). The loss of monitoring time was longer in groups S (62 +/- 40 s) and SL (53 +/- 39 s) when compared with group P (0 s) (P < 0.01). Prone emergence and supine emergence with intravenous lidocaine provides an alternative approach to conventional supine emergence and prone extubation offers less cough and breath holding and continuation of monitoring.