Transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange during rapid sequence induction in children.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to measure the incidence of arterial oxygen desaturation during rapid sequence induction intubation in children following apnoeic oxygenation via transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE). METHODS: In this prospective observational study, arterial desaturation < 95% SaO2 before intubation was recorded following apnoeic RSI combining an intravenous hypnotic agent, suxamethonium and THRIVE (used during the apnoeic period). The incidence of desaturation was calculated in the whole cohort and according to patients' age (older or younger than 1 year). RESULTS: Complete data were collected for 79 patients, 1 day to 15 years of age. Nine patients (11.4%) exhibited arterial desaturation before tracheal intubation and received active facemask ventilation. Patients exhibiting desaturation were more likely to be less than 1 year of age (9/9, (100%) versus 37/70, (52.9%); P = 0.005), to be reported as difficult intubations (5/9, (55.6%) versus 1/70, (1.4%), p < 0.001), and to have regurgitation at induction (2/9, (22.2%) versus 0/70, (0%), p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Results of the current study indicated that almost 91% of RSI can be performed without desaturation when THRIVE is used. A comparative controlled study is required to confirm these findings. Specific situations and conditions limiting the efficacy of THRIVE during RSI should also be investigated.

Predictive factors of early postoperative respiratory complications after tonsillectomy in children with unidentified risks for this complication.

INTRODUCTION: Tonsillectomy is considered as a therapeutic option in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). Postoperative respiratory failure is a complication that can require respiratory support. The main objective of our study is to determine risk factors of postoperative respiratory complications in children undergoing tonsillectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective single centre observational study including patients with unanticipated postoperative respiratory failure. Patients with a planned preoperative intensive care admission were excluded (age is lower than 2 years, overweight (>95% percentile of BMI), moderate or severe asthma, major medical conditions). Those patients were compared with randomly selected control patients. Factors studied were: age, weight, indication of surgery, ASA status, preoperative illness conditions, durations of surgery and anaesthesia and administered medications. Statistics used a univariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Eight hundred and five patients underwent adenotonsillectomy during the study period and 25 developed postoperative respiratory failure. These patients were compared to 103 non-complicated control patients. Age (<4 years), weight (<18kg), indication of surgery (as SOAS), laryngomalacia, stable and minor congenital cardiac malformation and duration of anaesthesia were found statistically associated. Multivariate analysis found that weight <18kg is a risk factor associated with the occurrence of postoperative respiratory failure. Overall the model shows a strong accuracy with an area under the curve of ROC analysis of 0.9 [95% confidence interval: 0.85-0.95]. DISCUSSION: Our study found that weight <18kg is a major risk factor for predicting a postoperative respiratory complication.

Postoperative complications following neonatal and infant surgery: Common events and predictive factors.

BACKGROUND: Data on major non-surgical postoperative complications following neonatal and infant surgery is lacking. The goal of the present study was to describe common major complications and their predictive factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study consisted of a retrospective review of medical charts of patients less than 6months of age operated in our institution over one calendar year, excluding herniorraphy surgery. The data collected included demographics, preoperative ICU bed status, ASA status, a history of cardiac malformation, hyaline membrane disease (HMD) or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), preoperative haemoglobin, emergent surgery status, surgery type and duration, duration of anaesthesia and the need for intraoperative fluid boluses. Complications were analysed until the 30th postoperative day. Analyses included descriptive statistics and the determination of factors associated with non-surgical complications using univariate and multivariate statistics. RESULTS: The study included 168 patients. Their postnatal age was 48±48days. Overall, 37 patients experienced major postoperative non-surgical complications. The most common major complications were haemodynamic compromise (n=19, 11.3%), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS, n=8, 4.8%) and respiratory failure requiring ventilation (n=3, 1.8%). Surgical complications occurred in 8 cases (4.8%). Four factors were identified as being predictive of non-surgical complications: PCA<40 weeks, a history of cardiac malformation, HMD or NEC, preoperative ICU status and intraoperative fluid bolus administration. CONCLUSION: This study describes common non-surgical postoperative complications in neonates and infants, and their risk factors. They were much more common than surgical complications. Further studies should focus on preventive strategies addressing these complications.

Opioid-Sparing Effect of Ketamine in Children: A Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Published Studies.

INTRODUCTION: Reducing postoperative opioid consumption is a priority given its impact upon recovery, and the efficacy of ketamine as an opioid-sparing agent in children is debated. The goal of this study was to update a previous meta-analysis on the postoperative opioid-sparing effect of ketamine, adding trial sequential analysis (TSA) and four new studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify clinical trials that examined ketamine as a perioperative opioid-sparing agent in children and infants. Outcomes measured were postoperative opioid consumption to 48 h (primary outcome: postoperative opioid consumption to 24 h), postoperative pain intensity, postoperative nausea and vomiting and psychotomimetic symptoms. The data were combined to calculate the pooled mean difference, odds ratios or standard mean differences. In addition to this classical meta-analysis approach, a TSA was performed. RESULTS: Eleven articles were identified, with four added to seven from the previous meta-analysis. Ketamine did not exhibit a global postoperative opioid-sparing effect to 48 postoperative hours, nor did it decrease postoperative pain intensity. This result was confirmed using TSA, which found a lack of power to draw any conclusion regarding the primary outcome of this meta-analysis (postoperative opioid consumption to 24 h). Ketamine did not increase the prevalence of either postoperative nausea and vomiting or psychotomimetic complications. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis did not find a postoperative opioid-sparing effect of ketamine. According to the TSA, this negative result might involve a lack of power of this meta-analysis. Further studies are needed in order to assess the postoperative opioid-sparing effects of ketamine in children.

Feasibility and results of a fast-track protocol in thoracic surgery.

BACKGROUND: A rehabilitation program, a multimodal strategy favoring rapid postoperative return to autonomy, has rarely been undertaken after thoracic surgery compared to colectomy. The primary outcome of this fast-track program was the length of postoperative stay. Secondary outcomes concerned the feasibility of this strategy, the incidence of postoperative complications and 3-month postoperative mortality. METHODS: Patients were included in this prospective single-center observational study if they were scheduled for lung resection (lobectomy or wedge resection) performed by posterolateral thoracotomy. The rehabilitation program, coordinated by a referent nurse, included a list of actions to be done, especially early feeding and ambulation, multimodal analgesia including epidural analgesia, early removal of chest tube. RESULTS: One hundred and two patients were included in total with two exclusions (failure of epidural analgesia). The postoperative hospital stay was 8 (7-10) days (median [25-75th percentiles]); this duration was similar to that of the historical cohort which was 9 [7-13] days (P=0.06). Most actions were conducted with a high level of acceptance except for the insertion of a single chest tube (19%) and its removal later than expected in the program. Only 50% of patients left hospital shortly after exit criteria were met suggesting failure in the organization. Patients' satisfaction rate reached 77% and no postoperative death was reported during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: A program for early rehabilitation is feasible after thoracotomy. Chest drainage and organization to optimize the length of stay are crucial points.