Modified fluid gelatin 4% for perioperative volume replacement in pediatric patients (GPS): Results of a European prospective noninterventional multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Modified fluid gelatin 4% is approved for use in children, but there is still a surprising lack of clinical studies including large numbers of pediatric patients. Therefore, we performed a European prospective noninterventional multicenter study to evaluate the use of a modified fluid gelatin 4% in saline (sal-GEL) or an acetate-containing balanced electrolyte solution (bal-GEL) in children undergoing major pediatric surgery. AIMS: The primary aim was to assess the indications and dosing of modified fluid gelatin, and the secondary aim was to assess the safety and efficacy, focusing, in particular, on routinely collected clinical parameters. METHODS: Children aged up to 12 years with ASA risk scores of I-III receiving sal-GEL or bal-GEL were followed perioperatively. Demographic data, surgical procedures performed, anesthesia, hemodynamic and laboratory data, adverse events, and adverse drug reactions were documented using a standardized case report form. RESULTS: 601 children that were investigated at 13 European pediatric centers from May 2015 to March 2020 (sal-GEL 20.1%, bal-GEL 79.9%; mean age 29.1 ± 38.6 (range 0-144) months; body weight 12.1 ± 10.5 (1.4-70) kg) were included in the analysis. The most frequent indications for GEL infusion were hemodynamic instability without bleeding (76.0%), crystalloids alone not being sufficient for hemodynamic stabilization (55.7%), replacement of preoperative deficit (26.0%), and significant bleeding (13.0%). Mean infused GEL volume was 13.0 ± 5.3 (2.4-37.5) ml kg-1 . The total dose was affected by age, with higher doses in younger patients. After gelatin infusion, mean arterial pressure increased (mean change 8.5 ± 7.3 [95% CI: 8 to 9.1] mmHg), and the hemoglobin concentrations decreased significantly (mean change -1.1 ± 1.8 [95% CI: -1.2 to -0.9] g·dL-1 ). Acid-base parameters were more stable with bal-GEL. No serious adverse drug reactions directly related to gelatin (i.e., anaphylactoid reaction, clotting disorders, and renal failure) were observed. CONCLUSION: Moderate doses up to 20 ml kg-1 of modified fluid gelatin were infused most frequently to improve hemodynamic stability in children undergoing major pediatric surgery. The acid-base balance was more stable when gelatin in a balanced electrolyte solution was used instead of saline. No serious adverse drug reactions associated with gelatin were observed.

Pediatric Airway Management in COVID-19 Patients: Consensus Guidelines From the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia's Pediatric Difficult Intubation Collaborative and the Canadian Pediatric Anesthesia Society.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) pandemic has challenged medical systems and clinicians globally to unforeseen levels. Rapid spread of COVID-19 has forced clinicians to care for patients with a highly contagious disease without evidence-based guidelines. Using a virtual modified nominal group technique, the Pediatric Difficult Intubation Collaborative (PeDI-C), which currently includes 35 hospitals from 6 countries, generated consensus guidelines on airway management in pediatric anesthesia based on expert opinion and early data about the disease. PeDI-C identified overarching goals during care, including minimizing aerosolized respiratory secretions, minimizing the number of clinicians in contact with a patient, and recognizing that undiagnosed asymptomatic patients may shed the virus and infect health care workers. Recommendations include administering anxiolytic medications, intravenous anesthetic inductions, tracheal intubation using video laryngoscopes and cuffed tracheal tubes, use of in-line suction catheters, and modifying workflow to recover patients from anesthesia in the operating room. Importantly, PeDI-C recommends that anesthesiologists consider using appropriate personal protective equipment when performing aerosol-generating medical procedures in asymptomatic children, in addition to known or suspected children with COVID-19. Airway procedures should be done in negative pressure rooms when available. Adequate time should be allowed for operating room cleaning and air filtration between surgical cases. Research using rigorous study designs is urgently needed to inform safe practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Until further information is available, PeDI-C advises that clinicians consider these guidelines to enhance the safety of health care workers during airway management when performing aerosol-generating medical procedures. These guidelines have been endorsed by the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia and the Canadian Pediatric Anesthesia Society.

Ultrasound assessment of caudal catheter position in infants.

The positioning of caudally inserted epidural catheters is crucial to their effectiveness. However, level assessment can be difficult and time consuming. We report the use of ultrasound to assess the catheter position in three patients aged between 1 and 10 months. The advantages and disadvantages of this technique are discussed in relation to other methods of assessing caudal catheter placement.

Caudal injectate can be reliably imaged using portable ultrasound--a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Correct caudal cannula placement is essential for block success and the avoidance of complications. The aim of this study was to assess the use of a saline injection test bolus with ultrasound (US) imaging to identify correct cannula placement for caudal anesthesia. METHODS: A prospective observational study of 60 children undergoing caudal anesthesia. A Sonosite 180 Plus (Sonosite Inc., Bothwell, WA) was used to image the spine and look for caudal space expansion secondary to saline injection. RESULTS: Saline test bolus correctly identified position in 96.5% of all subjects, and was 100% successful in children under 2 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest saline test bolus under US imaging is a reliable indicator of correct cannula position for caudal block. We found it safe, quick to perform, and provided additional useful information.