Atomised intranasal midazolam spray as premedication in pediatric patients: comparison between two doses of 0.2 and 0.3 mg/kg.

PURPOSE: Midazolam premedication administered by the intranasal route is noninvasive with good bioavailability. Atomised intranasal midazolam spray ensures accurate drug dosage and better patient acceptability, with rapid onset of action and virtually complete absorption. METHODS: Sixty pediatric patients scheduled for elective surgeries were administered atomised intranasal midazolam. Two doses of midazolam, of 0.2 and 0.3 mg/kg, were compared. Children were observed for achieving satisfactory sedation and separation scores, and face mask acceptance. RESULTS: At 10 and 20 min of nasal administration, 70 and 76% of the children, respectively, in the 0.3 mg/kg dose group, while 40 and 63% of the children, respectively, in the 0.2 mg/kg group were adequately sedated. Similarly, at 10 and 20 min after administration, 66.6 and 73.3% of children, respectively, in the 0.3 mg/kg group, and 30 and 60% in the 0.2 mg/kg group were easily separated from their parents. With regard to face mask acceptance, 33.3% of patients in the 0.3 mg/kg group and 16.6% in the 0.2 mg/kg group accepted the mask easily. CONCLUSION: Atomised midazolam at 0.3 mg/kg is safe, and achieves faster sedation and better separation scores as compared to 0.2 mg/kg.

Accuracy of skin temperature over carotid artery in estimation of core temperature in infants and young children during general anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Core temperature monitoring is essential in children under general anaesthesia as they are more susceptible to hypothermia. We aimed to use skin temperature over the carotid artery (Tsk-carotid) with correction factors (Cf) to estimate core temperature. Primary outcome measure was to assess the sensitivity of Tsk-carotid with Cf for detecting hypothermia. Secondary outcome measure was to assess the specificity of Tsk-carotid with Cf for detecting hypothermia. METHODS: First consecutive 50 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in modelling group and next 60 in the validation group. In the modelling group, average estimation error between Tsk-carotid and Tnaso was calculated and Cf was derived by multiple regression analysis (body surface area to mass ratio, body fat %, room temperature, relative humidity and warm Gamgee). In the validation group, Cf derived was used to predict Tnaso using Tsk-carotid by the formula: Tnaso-predicted = Tsk-carotid + Cf. Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the agreement between Tsk-carotid with Cf and Tnaso in the validation group. RESULTS: The sensitivity for detecting hypothermia with the use of Tsk-carotid and Cf was 100%. The final Cf derived was 0.064 × (room temperature) -2.65. Most of the measurements fell within 95% confidence limit of Bland-Altman plot; 95% confidence interval (0.504-[-0.451]). The specificity of this method was 11%. CONCLUSION: This method overestimated hypothermia in most cases and cannot be accurately used as a measure of core temperature monitoring perioperatively.

Comparison of analgesic efficacy and safety of continuous epidural infusion versus local infiltration and systemic opioids in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery decortication in pediatric empyema patients.

INTRODUCTION: The stripping of the densely innervated and inflamed parietal pleura in empyema during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) decortication can lead to significant pain and major postoperative respiratory compromise. Hence, we compared the analgesic efficacy of continuous epidural infusion versus local infiltration and systemic opioids in children undergoing VATS decortications. METHODOLOGY: Following ethics approval and informed consent, forty patients from 1 to 12 years of age were randomized into two groups, Group E (epidural) and Group L (local infiltration) after induction of anesthesia. In Group E, a thoracic epidural catheter was inserted between T4 and T8. A bolus dose of 0.5 ml/kg of 0.25% injection bupivacaine was given epidurally before incision. Postoperatively, the patients received epidural infusion with bupivacaine and fentanyl up to 48 h using an elastomeric balloon pump. In Group L, patients received local infiltration of bupivacaine (2 mg/kg) and lignocaine (5 mg/kg) at the port sites before incision and at the end of surgery. They also received injection tramadol 1 mg/kg intravenously TDS with thrice daily postoperatively. The pain scores (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability/ Wong-Baker FACES scale) were assessed every 4 h on the 1st day and 6 h on the 2nd day. Injection diclofenac 1 mg/kg intravenous was used as a rescue analgesic for pain scores more than 4. Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and motor blockade were noted. Quantitative and categorical data were assessed using t-test and Chi-square test, respectively. RESULTS: The pain scores were lower in the epidural group than in the local infiltration group at 0, 4, and 20 h postoperatively (P = 0.001, 0.01, and 0.038, respectively). Seventeen out of nineteen patients required rescue analgesia in the local infiltration group in the postoperative period as compared to five patients in the epidural group with a P value of 0.000081. CONCLUSION: Epidural analgesia can be considered as an effective modality of reducing pain in patients undergoing VATS decortication for empyema in pediatric patients.

Comparative Study of Three Methods for Depth of Central Venous Catheter Placement in Children: An Observational Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: Central venous cannulation of the internal jugular vein is difficult in paediatric patients because of the small size of the vein and anatomic variations. Many studies have shown the accuracy of various formulae for calculating the depth of placement. The aim of this study was to assess the most reliable method for central venous catheter (CVC) tip placement in paediatric patients. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients in the age groups from 0 to 12 years were divided in three groups for three published techniques for catheter tip placement. In Group E, catheter tip was placed at the distance measured from entry point to sternal angle. In Groups P and H, Peres and trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-derived formulae, respectively, were used for catheter placement. Post-procedure chest radiograph was performed for all patients, and tip position was recorded. Appropriate catheter tip position was considered just above or at the level of carina. The number of attempts and complications were recorded. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of 69 patients, 65% of patients in Group P, 52% in group H and 91% in group E had appropriate CVC tip placement. The chi-square test showed that the difference in the number of patients with appropriately positioned CVC tip among the three groups was statistically significant (p=0.0134), with intergroup analysis showing Group E to be superior. One patient had an episode of arrhythmia during guide wire insertion and was resuscitated successfully. CONCLUSION: Catheter tip placement by external distance or landmark technique is a more accurate method for catheter placement than the Peres and TEE-based formulae. It does not require measurement of patients' height and reduces the chances of repositioning of catheter.

Ultra-modified rapid sequence induction with transnasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange: Challenging convention.

During positive pressure ventilation, gastric inflation and subsequent pulmonary aspiration can occur. Rapid sequence induction (RSI) technique is an age-old formula to prevent this. We adopted a novel approach of RSI for patients with high risk of aspiration and evaluated it further in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries. We believe that, in patients with risk of gastric insufflation and pulmonary aspiration, transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange can be useful in facilitating pre- and apnoeic oxygenation till tracheal isolation is achieved.

Unanticipated Difficult Airway in a Neonate: Are we Prepared for this CHAOS?

Unanticipated difficult airway in a neonate is a challenging situation with many difficulties because of inherent anatomical variations. To complicate the situation there is a lack of appropriate equipment, expertise and established guidelines on the management of difficult airway in neonates and infants. There are few published reports regarding the use of available devices for emergency front-of-neck access. We report the case of airway management of a neonate with an unanticipated finding of subglottic stenosis. Subglottic stenosis is one of the aetiologies of congenital high airway obstruction syndrome, which may be diagnosed antenatally based on ultrasonography findings.

A Study of Morbidity and Cost of Peripheral Venous Cannulation in Neonates Admitted to Paediatric Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral venous access in sick neonates is indicated for administration of fluids, drugs or nutrients. AIM: We conducted an audit of peripheral venous access in neonates admitted to paediatric surgical intensive care unit to study the morbidity, time spent on cannulation and cost with its use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive neonates requiring hospital admission to paediatric surgical intensive care unit in a period of one year were included in the study. Peripheral venous access was secured in all patients. We conducted an audit for the number of venipuncture sites, wastage of cannulae, cost, time spent on cannulation and morbidity with its use. Neonates were divided into three groups depending on their surgical intervention. Namely, Group A (thoracic procedures), Group B (bowel surgery) and Group C (other surgery and non-operative cases). RESULTS: In Group A, mean venepuncture sites were 10.66, used cannulae were 5.6, wasted cannulae were 4.3, total cost of cannulation was 870 rupees and 93.78 minutes were spent in cannulation per neonate. In Group B, mean venepuncture sites were 7.58, used cannulae were 4.35, wasted cannulae were 2.59, total cost of cannulation was 603 rupees and 59.85 minutes were spent in cannulation per neonate. In Group C mean venepuncture sites were 2.78, used cannulae were 2.9, wasted cannulae were 0.57, total cost of cannulation was 232 rupees and 26.51 minutes were spent in cannulation per neonate. Thrombophlebitis severity was greater in neonates who had longer ICU stay and ventilator dependent days. CONCLUSION: Peripheral venous cannulation of longer duration is costly, time consuming, and associated with significant neonatal morbidity. It may be worthwhile to consider alternative vascular devices such as peripherally inserted central catheters or central venous catheters in such situations.

A randomised comparative study of Miller laryngoscope blade versus Oxiport® Miller laryngoscope blade for neonatal and infant intubations.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Neonates and infants are prone to oxygen desaturation during the induction of general anaesthesia. Pharyngeal oxygen insufflation has been shown to delay the onset of desaturation and hypoxaemia during apnoea. We tested the hypothesis that deep laryngeal oxygenation with Oxiport® Miller blade would delay the onset of desaturation compared to laryngoscopy without supplemental oxygen (Miller blade). METHODS: One hundred neonates and infants undergoing general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation for surgery were recruited and randomly assigned to one of the two groups: Miller or Oxiport group (laryngoscopy performed with Miller or Oxiport® blade, respectively). Primary outcome measure was the lowest oxygen saturation (SpO2) attained during intubation. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of severe desaturation (SpO2< 85%), correlation between SpO2and time to intubation in each group. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to measure the correlation between time to intubation and desaturation in each group. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Data from 95 patients were available for the final analysis: Miller group (n = 48) and Oxiport group (n = 47). Mean lowest SpO2was 95.9% ± 5.75% in Miller group and 97.55% ± 2.93% in Oxiport group (P = 0.049). Correlation between time to intubation and SpO2was -0.110; P = 0.459 in Miller group and -0.468; P = 0.001 in Oxiport group. Severe desaturation occurred in 12.5% patients in Miller group and none in Oxiport group. CONCLUSION: Apnoeic laryngeal oxygen insufflation with Oxiport® laryngoscope blade decreases the incidence of severe desaturation during neonatal and infant intubations.

Comparison of efficacy and cost-effectiveness of 0.55% ortho-phthalaldehyde and 2% glutaraldehyde for disinfection of laryngoscopes: A prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The laryngoscope is a potential source of cross-infection as it involves contact with the mucous membrane, saliva and occasionally blood. This study compared efficacy and cost-effectiveness of two Centre for Disease Control approved agents for disinfection of laryngoscope blades. METHODS: One hundred and sixty patients requiring laryngoscopy and intubation for general anaesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups. After tracheal intubation, used laryngoscope blades were cleaned with tap water. The blades were then immersed in either 2% w/v glutaraldehyde for a contact time of 20 min or 0.55% w/v ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) for 10 min. The handles were wiped with 0.5% w/v chlorhexidine wipes. Samples were collected using sterile cotton swabs from the tip, flange and light bulb area of the laryngoscope blade and one from the handle. They were cultured aerobically on blood and McConkey agar. RESULTS: In 2% glutaraldehyde group, of 240 samples sent from the blades, 2 (0.8%) showed the growth of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCONS) and Enterobacter. In OPA group, of 240 samples, 2 (0.8%) showed growth of MRCONS. Thus, 2% glutaraldehyde and 0.55% OPA were comparable in terms of efficacy of disinfection. Growth was seen on 4 out of 160 handles. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest OPA for high-level disinfection of laryngoscope blades as it is equally efficacious as compared to glutaraldehyde, with a shorter contact time and available as a ready to use formulation.

Effects of avoiding neuromuscular blocking agents during maintenance of anaesthesia on recovery characteristics in patients undergoing craniotomy for supratentorial lesions: A randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Neuromuscular blocking agents have been one of the cornerstones of anaesthesia. With the advent of newer surgical, anaesthetic and neurological monitoring techniques, their utility in neuroanaesthesia practice seems dispensable. The aim of this prospective, comparative, randomised study was to determine whether neuromuscular blocking agents are required in patients undergoing supratentorial surgery when balanced anaesthesia with desflurane, dexmedetomidine and scalp block is used. METHODS: Sixty patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, aged between 18 and 60 years were included in the study. All patients received anaesthesia including desflurane, dexmedetomidine and scalp block. The patients were randomly allocated to receive no neuromuscular blocking agent (Group A) or atracurium infusion to keep train-of-four count 2 (Group B). The two groups were compared with respect to haemodynamic stability, brain relaxation scores and recovery characteristics. Haemodynamic parameters and time taken to achieve Aldrete score >9 and other secondary outcomes were analysed using Student's t-test. Non-parametric data were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The mean arterial pressure was comparable between the groups. The intraoperative heart rate was comparable; however, in the post-operative period, it remained higher in Group B for 30 min after extubation (P = 0.02). The brain relaxation scores were comparable among the two groups (P = 0.27). Tracheal extubation time, time taken for orientation and time required to reach Aldrete score ≥9 were comparable among the two groups. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that balanced anaesthesia using desflurane, dexmedetomidine and scalp block can preclude the use of neuromuscular blocking agents in patients undergoing supratentorial surgery under intense haemodynamic monitoring.