Enhanced recovery after surgery improves clinical outcomes in adolescent bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are evidence-based, multimodal approaches to optimize patient recovery and minimize complications. OBJECTIVES: Our team evaluated clinical outcomes following the implementation of an ERAS protocol for adolescents undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery. SETTING: Academic hospital, New York, NY, USA. METHODS: We performed a single-institution longitudinal assessment of adolescents who underwent laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) between August 2021 and November 2022. Unpaired t-tests and Fisher's exact test were used to compare means between groups and categorical factors. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were included in the study, 21 who participated in the ERAS protocol and 22 control patients. ERAS cohort was 52% females, with a median age of 17.5 years and a median body mass index (BMI) of 46.3 kg/m2. The non-ERAS cohort was 59% females, with a median age of 16.7 years and a median BMI of 44.0 kg/m2. There were no significant differences between baseline characteristics. Patients in the ERAS group had a shorter time to oral intake (10.7 hours versus 21.5 hours, P < .01), lower morphine milligram equivalents (18.2 versus 97.0, P < .01), and shorter length of stay (1.5 days versus 2.0 days, P = .01). There were no significant differences between return visits to the emergency department (ED) within 30 days (3 versus 2, P = .66) or readmissions (0 versus 1, P = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: The described ERAS protocol is safe and effective in adolescents undergoing laparoscopic VSG and is associated with shorter time to oral intake, reduced opioid requirements, and shorter hospital lengths of stay with no increase in return ED visits or readmissions.

Pharmacological Management of Severe Neuropathic Pain in a Case of Eosinophilic Meningitis Related to Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the rat lungworm, is the most common infectious cause of eosinophilic meningitis and can be fatal. The parasite can be found throughout Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands and the global distribution is expanding. We present the case of a fourteen-year-old female who had previously traveled to Hawaii and developed severe neuropathic pain related to A. cantonensis infection refractory to gabapentin and pregabalin monotherapy, who was eventually managed with an ultralow dose ketamine infusion, methadone, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.

Successful Surgical Repair and Perioperative Management of 6-Month-Old With Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return in a Developing Country: Considerations for the Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension.

Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) is a rare congenital cardiac defect, accounting for 1.5-3% of cases of congenital heart disease. With prenatal ultrasonography, the majority of these patients are diagnosed in utero with definitive surgery performed during the neonatal period. However, as prenatal screening may not be available in developing countries, patients may present in later infancy. We present successful surgical repair of a 6-month-old infant with TAPVR who presented for medical care at 5 months of age in Lima, Peru. The late presentation of such infants and the limited resources available for the treatment of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance may impact successful surgical correction of such defects. The perioperative care of such infants in developing countries is discussed and strategies for managing postoperative pulmonary hypertension is reviewed.

Long-Term Intravenous Ketamine for Analgesia in a Child with Severe Chronic Intestinal Graft versus Host Disease.

Ketamine is reported to be an effective adjuvant to opioids in the treatment of refractory cancer pain; however, the use of high doses of ketamine for extended periods in pediatric patients has not been described. We present a five-year-old male with grade IV intestinal GVHD whose abdominal pain required both hydromorphone and ketamine for a period of over four months. There was no evidence of hepatotoxicity, hemorrhagic cystitis, or other adverse effects. Possible withdrawal symptoms were mild and were readily mitigated by gradually weaning ketamine.

Use of a clinical pathway to improve the acute management of vaso-occlusive crisis pain in pediatric sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND: The most common, debilitating morbidity of sickle cell disease (SCD) is vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) pain. Although guidelines exist for its management, they are generally not well-followed, and research in other pediatric diseases has shown that clinical pathways improve care. The purpose of our study was to determine whether a clinical pathway improves the acute management of sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) pain in the pediatric emergency department (PED). PROCEDURE: Pain management practices were prospectively investigated before and after the initiation of a clinical pathway in the PED of an urban, tertiary care center with 50,000 ED visits per year and approximately 200 active sickle cell patients. The pathway included instructions for triage, monitoring, medication administration, and timing of assessments and interventions. Data were eligible from 35 pre-pathway and 33 post-pathway visits. Primary outcome was time interval to administration of first analgesic medication. Statistical analysis was by Student's t-test, using natural-log-transformed data for outcomes with skewed distribution curves. RESULTS: Time interval to first analgesic improved from 74 to 42 minutes (P = 0.012) and to first opioid from 94 to 46 minutes (P = 0.013). The percentage of patients who received ketorolac increased from 57% to 82% (P = 0.03). Decrease in time interval to subsequent pain score assessment was not statistically significant (110 to 72 minutes (P = 0.07)), and change in pain score was not different (P = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a clinical pathway for sickle cell VOC in the PED can improve important aspects of pain management and merits further investigation and implementation.

Severe hyperkalemia during cardiopulmonary bypass: etiology and effective therapy.

Hyperkalemia is considered a medical emergency as it can result in severe disturbances in cardiac rhythm and death. Although many causes of hyperkalemia exist, exogenous red blood cell transfusions are being recognized as the primary perioperative etiology. The authors report a case of severe intraoperative hyperkalemia associated with the use of allogeneic blood products (packed red blood cells), during a surgical mission to a developing country. The patient was undergoing repeat mitral valve replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and developed significant hyperkalemia with a serum potassium value of 9.9 mEq/L. Successful intraoperative therapies were instituted with a gradual reduction in the serum potassium value to 4.8 mEq, which allowed the patient to be weaned from CPB. The authors review the etiology of hyperkalemia in children including its relationship with allogeneic red blood cell transfusions and treatment modalities including specific therapies which can be instituted during CPB.

Qualitative analysis of consults by a pediatric advanced care team during its first year of service.

Phenomenologic analysis of initial consults provided during the first year of a new Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT) program provides essential understanding of the experience and inform program direction and future clinical research. Parents bring to the consult a desire to remain experts in their children's lives yet experience vulnerability as they seek assistance in making critical decisions often under conditions of disquieting uncertainty. Dynamic communication efforts involving the referring providers, PACT team members, and family are a key influence in facilitating consults' stated goals and in establishing the integrated palliative paradigm in a tertiary care environment. Validation was provided for a new research infrastructure that will function concurrently with the PACT clinical program in this rapidly evolving field.

Clevidipine for perioperative blood pressure control in infants and children undergoing cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and adverse effect profile of clevidipine when used for perioperative blood pressure (BP) control during surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our experience with the perioperative use of clevidipine in pediatric-aged patients undergoing surgery for CHD. RESULTS: The study cohort included 14 patients ranging from 11 months to 15 years (7.4 ± 4.6 years) and weighing from 5 to 41 kg (21.8 ± 11.1 kg). Clevidipine was administered as a continuous infusion for control of either postoperative BP or intraoperative mean arterial pressure (MAP) during cooling and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). It was administered as a bolus for BP control during emergence from anesthesia following cardiac surgery. The continuous infusion was started at 1 mcg/kg/min and increased in increments of 0.5 to 1 mcg/kg/min as needed. For postoperative BP control, dosing requirements varied from 1 to 7 mcg/kg/min (mean = 2.0 ± 1.2 mcg/kg/min). The target BP was achieved within 5 minutes in all patients. Two patients were treated with intravenous or oral propranolol for an increase in heart rate (HR) while receiving clevidipine. Despite doses up to 10 mcg/kg/min, effective control of MAP could not be achieved during CPB and cooling (core body temperature 28°C to 32°C). Bolus doses of clevidipine (10 to 15 mcg/kg) controlled BP during emergence from anesthesia with a decrease of the MAP from 97 ± 6 mm Hg to 71 ± 5 mm Hg (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Clevidipine is effective for perioperative BP control in infants and children with CHD; however, it does not appear effective in controlling MAP during cooling and CPB.

Balancing Knowledge Among Resident Specialties: Lecture-Based Training and the OUCH Card to Treat Children's Pain.

BACKGROUND: There are well-established deficiencies in residents' knowledge of acute-pain assessment and treatment in hospitalized children. METHODS: Among residents in 3 specialties (anesthesiology, orthopedics, and pediatrics), we investigated whether a pediatric pain management (PPM) curriculum that offered a lecture combined with a demonstration of how to use the OUCH card would yield higher performance on a subsequent PPM knowledge assessment. The OUCH card was created as a portable reference tool for trainees to provide analgesic dosing information, pain-assessment tools, and treatment of opioid-induced adverse effects. There was an initial convenience sample of 60 residents randomized to Form A or B of the pretest. From this, 39 residents (15 anesthesiology, 13 orthopedic, 11 pediatric) completed a PPM knowledge posttest approximately 4 weeks after the pretest, PPM lecture, and OUCH card instruction. RESULTS: Using a repeated measure design, the interaction of resident specialty and pretest to posttest scores was significant (P  =  .01) along with the covariate of residency year (P  =  .026). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data based on a convenience sample of residents suggest that PPM training along with use of the OUCH card may help to reduce knowledge differences among residents. Faculty whose clinical practice includes children with acute pain should consider including learning or performance aids like the OUCH card in education and clinical care for its potential benefit in resident learning.

The use of oral ketamine for analgesia with dressing change in an infant with epidermolysis bullosa: report of a case.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) describes a spectrum of disease from occasional bullae and callus formation to a debilitating life-threatening condition. In this study, we report the use of intravenous ketamine given orally to an infant with a phenotypically severe form of EB simplex, Dowling-Meara subtype, to achieve analgesia during painful dressing changes.

Assessing resident knowledge of acute pain management in hospitalized children: a pilot study.

This pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the hypotheses that there are differences in pediatric pain management (PPM) knowledge across resident specialties, that questions in the form of multiple-choice items could detect such differences, and that resident knowledge of analgesic-related adverse drug events (ADEs) would be greater than knowledge of PPM. Questions were based on two general categories of knowledge within acute pain management in hospitalized children: pediatric pain assessment and treatment, and identification of analgesic-related ADEs. As part of the pilot nature of this study, a convenience sample of 60 residents completed a 10-item PPM knowledge assessment prior to a PPM lecture. Twenty-six were pediatric residents (43%), 19 were orthopedic residents (32%), and 15 were anesthesiology residents (25%). All items had content validity. When controlling for resident year, performance by resident specialty was significantly different between anesthesia and orthopedics (P=0.006) and between anesthesia and pediatrics (P<0.001). Resident knowledge of analgesic-related ADEs was not greater than knowledge of PPM. The most difficult topics were opioid equianalgesia, assessment of the cognitively impaired child, and maximal acetaminophen doses. Repeated administration of the PPM knowledge assessment at multiple institutions will allow further evaluation of our initial findings, and with directed educational interventions, provide opportunity for measurement of improvement.

Sciatic neuropathy after lower-extremity trauma: successful treatment of an uncommon pain and disability syndrome in an adolescent.

Lower-extremity trauma is an uncommon but reported cause of sciatic nerve injury in children and adolescents. Failure to identify sciatic neuropathy after traumatic injury to the lower extremity may lead to the delayed institution of neuropathic pharmacotherapy, electrodiagnostic testing, physical therapy, and increased risk for the development of complex regional pain syndrome. This article presents a case of an adolescent male with neuropathic pain and weakness in the right lower extremity after traumatic injury. Spontaneous recovery of the injured nerve occurred with early institution of pharmacologic and physical therapies. Operative exploration and neurolysis were considered but were not ultimately necessary.

Management of right ventricular outflow tract reactivity following pulmonary valve dilatation under general anesthesia: experience of a medical mission.

During a recent volunteer medical mission to the Dominican Republic, we administered anesthesia to a child with severe pulmonary valvular stenosis and suprasystemic right ventricular pressure. This patient underwent a balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty but then developed worsening right ventricular outflow tract obstruction that required immediate therapy to prevent a low cardiac output state. As the development of hyperdynamic right ventricular outflow tract obstruction cannot be predicted, we emphasize the need for preemptive hydration and beta-blockade therapy prior to balloon dilatation.

Perioperative effects and safety of nesiritide following cardiac surgery in children.

Nesiritide (Natrecor, Scios Inc), human B-type natriuretic peptide, has hemodynamic effects that may be beneficial in pediatric patients after cardiac surgery. Experience with nesiritide and pediatrics is limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate perioperative effects and safety of nesiritide in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery. Seventeen patients with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery were given a loading dose (1 microg/kg) while on cardiopulmonary bypass (constant flow) followed by continuous infusion for 24 hours (0.01 microg/kg/min x 6 hours, then 0.02 microg/kg/min x 18 hours). A 7% decrease in mean blood pressure was seen following nesiritide loading dose on cardiopulmonary bypass. No patient required intervention for hypotension while receiving nesiritide load or infusion. Nesiritide load during surgery and continuous infusion after cardiac surgery in pediatric patients resulted in no significant hemodynamic compromise.

Recombinant factor VIIa to control excessive bleeding following surgery for congenital heart disease in pediatric patients.

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the efficacy of recombinant factor VII (rFVIIa) in the treatment of bleeding following cardiac surgery in a pediatric population. The study included a case series of postcardiac surgical patients with chest tube output of = 4 mL/kg/h for the initial 3 postoperative hours who received rFVIIa. Chest tube output for the 3 hours before and the 3 hours after rFVIIa was compared using a paired t test. In addition, chest tube output for the initial 3 postoperative hours and the 3 hours following rFVIIa was compared to 8 control patients who did not require rFVIIa. Recombinant factor VIIa was administered to 9 children (age = 9 +/- 4 years) following repair of tetralogy of Fallot (6), closure of ventricular septal defect (1), closure of sinus venosus atrial septal defect (1), and mitral valve repair (1). Chest tube output for the initial 3 postoperative hours prior to the administration of rFVIIa was 5.8 +/- 2.8 mL/kg/h and decreased to 2.0 +/- 1.3 mL/kg/h for the 3 hours following the administration of rFVIIa (P =.002). In the patients that did not receive rFVIIa, chest tube output for the first 3 postoperative hours was 1.6 +/- 0.9 mL/kg/h and 1.2 +/- 0.6 mL/kg/h for the next 3 hours (P = nonsignificant when compared to chest tube output for the 3 hours following rFVIIa in patients who received rFVIIa). No adverse effects were noted. Recombinant factor VIIa decreased chest tubing bleeding following cardiac surgery in children. Given its potential therapeutic impact, rFVIIa warrants further investigation in the pediatric cardiac population.