Factors associated with blood product requirements during the transoperative period in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: The efficiency of blood products (BP) requisition in elective non-cardiac surgeries is inherently complex. Moreover, it is aggravated in the pediatric population. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with using less than the requested BP during the transoperative period in pediatric patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional comparative study including 320 patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery for whom BPs were requested. Low requirements were considered when less than 50% of the requested amount or no BPs were used, and high requirements when more than the requested amount was used. The Mann-Whitney's U test was applied for comparative analysis, and multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for factors associated with lower requirements. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 3 years. From 320 patients, 68.1% (n = 218) received less than the requested amount of BP, while only 1.25% (n = 4) received more than the requested amount of BP. Factors associated with transfusion of less than the requested BPs were prolonged clotting time (odds ratio (OR) = 2.66) and anemia (OR = 0.43). CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with lower than requested BP transfusion were prolonged clotting time and anemia.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La eficiencia de la solicitud de productos sanguíneos (PS) en las cirugías electivas no cardiacas es, de por sí, compleja. No obstante, se agrava para la población pediátrica. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar los factores asociados con la utilización de una cantidad de PS menor a la solicitada durante el transoperatorio en pacientes pediátricos sometidos a cirugía electiva no cardiaca. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio transversal comparativo donde se incluyeron 320 pacientes sometidos a cirugía electiva no cardiaca para quienes se solicitaron PS. Los requerimientos de hemoderivados se consideraron como menores cuando no se utilizaron o se utilizó menos del 50% de lo solicitado y como mayores cuando se utilizó una cantidad mayor a la solicitada. Se aplicó la prueba U de Mann-Whitney para el análisis comparativo y regresión logística múltiple para ajustar los factores asociados a la presencia de menores requerimientos. RESULTADOS: La mediana para la edad de los pacientes fue de 3 años. Se transfundió una cantidad de PS menor a la solicitada en el 68.1% (n = 218) de los pacientes, mientras que se transfundió una cantidad mayor a la solicitada solo en el 1.25% de los pacientes (n = 4). Los factores asociados con la transfusión de una cantidad de PS menor a la solicitada fueron tiempos de coagulación alargados (TCA) (razón de momios (RM) = 2.66) y anemia (RM = 0.43). CONCLUSIONES: Los factores asociados a una transfusión de PS inferior a la solicitada fueron el tiempo de coagulación prolongado y la anemia.

Factors associated with blood product requirements during the transoperative period in pediatric patients / Factores asociados a los requerimientos de productos sanguíneos durante el transoperatorio en pacientes pediátricos

Abstract Background: The efficiency of blood products (BP) requisition in elective non-cardiac surgeries is inherently complex. Moreover, it is aggravated in the pediatric population. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with using less than the requested BP during the transoperative period in pediatric patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional comparative study including 320 patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery for whom BPs were requested. Low requirements were considered when less than 50% of the requested amount or no BPs were used, and high requirements when more than the requested amount was used. The Mann-Whitney's U test was applied for comparative analysis, and multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for factors associated with lower requirements. Results: The median age of the patients was 3 years. From 320 patients, 68.1% (n = 218) received less than the requested amount of BP, while only 1.25% (n = 4) received more than the requested amount of BP. Factors associated with transfusion of less than the requested BPs were prolonged clotting time (odds ratio (OR) = 2.66) and anemia (OR = 0.43). Conclusions: Factors associated with lower than requested BP transfusion were prolonged clotting time and anemia.

Resumen Introducción: La eficiencia de la solicitud de productos sanguíneos (PS) en las cirugías electivas no cardiacas es, de por sí, compleja. No obstante, se agrava para la población pediátrica. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar los factores asociados con la utilización de una cantidad de PS menor a la solicitada durante el transoperatorio en pacientes pediátricos sometidos a cirugía electiva no cardiaca. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal comparativo donde se incluyeron 320 pacientes sometidos a cirugía electiva no cardiaca para quienes se solicitaron PS. Los requerimientos de hemoderivados se consideraron como menores cuando no se utilizaron o se utilizó menos del 50% de lo solicitado y como mayores cuando se utilizó una cantidad mayor a la solicitada. Se aplicó la prueba U de Mann-Whitney para el análisis comparativo y regresión logística múltiple para ajustar los factores asociados a la presencia de menores requerimientos. Resultados: La mediana para la edad de los pacientes fue de 3 años. Se transfundió una cantidad de PS menor a la solicitada en el 68.1% (n = 218) de los pacientes, mientras que se transfundió una cantidad mayor a la solicitada solo en el 1.25% de los pacientes (n = 4). Los factores asociados con la transfusión de una cantidad de PS menor a la solicitada fueron tiempos de coagulación alargados (TCA) (razón de momios (RM) = 2.66) y anemia (RM = 0.43). Conclusiones: Los factores asociados a una transfusión de PS inferior a la solicitada fueron el tiempo de coagulación prolongado y la anemia.

La valoración preanestésica del paciente pediátrico durante la pandemia por COVID-19 / Preanesthetic assessment of the pediatric patient during the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumen: En la pandemia actual por SARS-CoV-2, poca atención se ha puesto a la población pediátrica debido a su baja morbimortalidad. Debido al amplio espectro de presentación de esta enfermedad en los pacientes pediátricos, es necesario reconocer sus diferentes presentaciones clínicas y la importancia de la valoración preanestésica en procedimientos electivos y de urgencia a fin de evitar la exposición del personal de salud a pacientes contagiados y disminuir la morbilidad perioperatoria en el paciente pediátrico con COVID-19.

Abstract: In the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, little attention has been paid to the pediatric population due to its low morbidity and mortality. Due to the wide spectrum of presentation of this disease, in pediatric patients, it is necessary to recognize its different clinical presentations and the importance of pre-anesthetic evaluation in elective and emergency procedures in order to avoid the exposure of health personnel with infected patients and to reduce the perioperative morbidity in the pediatric patient with COVID-19.

The impact of tooth brushing versus tooth brushing and chlorhexidine application to avoid postoperative pneumonia in children.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of postsurgical pneumonia is a complicated and multifactorial process, in which elements like oral bacteria, orotracheal intubation, and dental hygiene play an important role. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 2 types of oral hygiene interventions in decreasing cases of postsurgical pneumonia. METHODS: In pediatric patients scheduled for surgery, a quasi-experimental study was carried out over a 2-year period to evaluate the efficacy of 2 types of oral hygiene interventions. There were 2 groups of intervention with 1 group for comparison. Intervention groups were tooth brushing by a dentist (intervention group 1) and dental brushing by parents + chlorhexidine gluconate (intervention group 2). Data from the year with no oral hygiene interventions were used as the baseline group. RESULTS: A total of 2,535 surgical procedures were followed. Baseline group incidence of postoperative pneumonia was 10 per 1,000 surgeries, 0.2 per 1,000 surgeries in the intervention group 1 (P = .04), and 0.8 per 1,000 surgeries in the intervention group 2. Intervention group 1 was protective against postoperative pneumonia (odds ratio, 0.06; P = .02; 95% confidence interval, 0.033-0.079), but there was no benefit with intervention group 2 (odds ratio, 0.87; P = .599; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-1.46). CONCLUSIONS: Dental brushing performed before surgery by a pediatric dentist was effective in reducing the incidence of postoperative pneumonia in pediatric patients.

A pilot study of nalbuphine versus tramadol administered through continuous intravenous infusion for postoperative pain control in children.

Nalbuphine and tramadol are potent analgesic drugs. Our aim was to preliminarily assess and compare the efficacy and safety of nalbuphine and tramadol for postoperative analgesia in children. In a double-blind design, 24 ASA 1-3 children aged 1 to 10 years undergoing a scheduled surgical procedure were randomly allocated to receive either an intravenous bolus dose of nalbuphine 100 microg/kg immediately before the end of surgery followed by an infusion of 0.2 microg/kg/min for 72 hrs., or an intravenous bolus dose of tramadol 1000 microg/kg followed by an infusion of 2.0 microg/kg/min for 72 hrs. Postoperative pain control and drug-related adverse events were recorded. Three children who received nalbuphine required an extra bolus dose within the 12 hrs. of post-surgery versus one child in the tramadol group. A similar number of patients in both groups required an increment in the infusion rate within the 72 post-surgery hours. Sedation was observed in 2 children in the nalbuphine group and in 1 child in the tramadol group. Four children presented vomiting with tramadol and two with nalbuphine. Cardiovascular parameters remained within the normal ranges in both groups. In conclusion, the bolus/infusion regimen of tramadol evaluated in this study appears to have better postoperative analgesic efficacy than the bolus/infusion regimen of nalbuphine. These preliminary results require further confirmation by studies with a sample size enough to clearly identify differences in their efficacy as well as in the rate of adverse events secondary to the administration of each of them.

A randomized trial comparing laryngeal mask airway to endotracheal tube in children undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Although the efficacy of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has been demonstrated for securing patency of the airway in children, it has not yet been compared to endotracheal tube (ET) in this population. This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of LMA vs. ET in children undergoing elective diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. Sixty ASA I-III patients were randomly allocated to ET (Group I) or LMA (Group II). A set of cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were obtained before, during and after the endoscopic procedure. The recovery time and the time to discharge were also registered. The cardiovascular and respiratory parameters evaluated in the study varied across the different evaluation periods. However, they remained within physiological ranges and were not different between groups. The median (range) recovery time was 4 (2-10) min and the time to discharge was 58 (36-88) min in the ET group and 3 (1-7) min and 50 (35-67) min in the LMA group (P > 0.10), respectively. In a 16 month-old, 80 cm and 10 kg girl, we failed to secure the patency of the airway with LMA. In conclusion, the LMA was as effective and safe as ET for securing the airway of children undergoing diagnostic upper endoscopies. However, the 3% failure rate occurred with LMA.

Meta-analysis of the differences in the time to onset of action between rocuronium and vecuronium.

1. The aim of the present study was to conduct a meta-analysis of the magnitude of differences in the onset of action (T(max)) between rocuronium and vecuronium. 2. A search was made in PubMed, EMBASE Drugs and Pharmacology, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and Cochrane Database on Systematic Reviews. Studies comparing the T(max) at the adductor policies between rocuronium and vecuronium administered as an intravenous bolus were included in the study. Twenty-nine effect sizes obtained from 21 studies were included. 3. The result of the meta-analysis of differences was -57.9 s (95% confidence interval -71.4 to -44.3 s), favouring rocuronium over vecuronium. The smallest difference in T(max) between these neuromuscular-blocking agents was observed in children (-19.1 s). The difference in T(max) between rocuronium and vecuronium in female patients was -38.7 s. The difference in T(max) between rocuronium and vecuronium measured by electromyography was approximately 50% shorter than that determined by acceleromyography or mechanomyography. In a subanalysis between rocuronium 600 mg/kg versus vecuronium 100 mg/kg, the difference in T(max) between them was very similar to that obtained in the general meta-analysis. 4. According to subanalyses of patient age and sex, drug dose and neuromuscular monitoring systems, the T(max) of rocuronium was approximately 20-70 s faster than that of vecuronium.

[Practice guidelines for the management of acute perioperative pain]. / Parámetros de práctica para el manejo del dolor agudo perioperatorio.

The inadequacy of perioperative management causes a severe adverse outcome, a prolonged time of hospitalization and unnecessary suffering. Therefore, it is important to provide an effective management approach to the patient with perioperative pain. A task force with experience in this field systematically develops practice guidelines and the primary goal is to facilitate, to health care professionals, decision-making regarding pain relief. The well-known concept of "administer as needed" is inaccurate and must be eliminated from hospital's management protocols in order to facilitate the staff education to decrease the painful experience. A method to evaluate and document pain in an objective and periodic way shall be implemented. Also, analgesic therapy shall be individualized and chosen regarding pain intensity in every surgical procedure. The treatment options include the use of non-opiate and opiate drugs, regional analgesia and nonpharmacological techniques. The best analgesic will be the one that shall provide the highest relief of pain with the fewest side effects. In the pediatric and obstetric populations, special considerations for the ambulatory patient must be taken. Finally, these practice guidelines could be the reference for future practice guidelines on pain management in Mexico.

Variable designs of clinical trials of neuromuscular blocking agents: an example of studies comparing rocuronium and vecuronium.

BACKGROUND: Published clinical trials on neuromuscular blocking (NMB) agents are being reported with large variations in their protocols and conflictiing results may emerge from these differences. Because they have been compared in several clinical trials, the study was focused on rocuronium and vecuronium in order to evaluate whether these NMB agents were compared under homogeneous conditions. MATERIAL/ METHOD: A search was made in PubMed, Embase Drugs and Pharmacology, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Studies on the neuromuscular response at the adductor pollicis to an i.v. bolus dose of rocuronium or vecuronium in humans were included. Quality of all reports was assessed by means of the 3-item Jadad et al. scale. Twenty-five studies met our inclusion criteria and all were retrieved. RESULTS: Randomization was performed in 21 (80.8%) studies. Blinding procedure for drug administration was mentioned in only one study without clarifying the procedure. Induction was most commonly performed with thiopental, followed by propofol. Two studies were performed in children and two in elderly patients. Withdrawals or dropouts were not mentioned in any paper. Electromyography and mechanomyography were the most common monitoring procedures. The time to maximal response, the maximum effect and the time to reach 25% recovery of neuromuscular function were the most used pharmacodynamic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical trials on neuromuscular blocking agents, e.g. vecuronium versus rocuronium, are being performed with large variability and without following established guidelines.

Undocumented drug utilization and drug waste increase costs of pediatric anesthesia care.

The present study was performed in order to identify the cost of drugs used without documenting them in the patients' file and the wastage of drugs in a pediatric anesthesiology ward. In a prospective, blinded, observational design, drug utilization of 610 consecutive patients, undergoing an elective or emergency surgical procedure was evaluated. The number of undocumented drugs per 100 requested units and the number of wasted drugs per 100 requested units were computed and multiplied by its corresponding unitary cost. The median undocumented cost was 92.4 US dollars (95% CI 17.2-216.6 dollars) per 100 requested units. Succinylcholine (40 mg/2 mL) was the main undocumented drug; its use was not documented in approximately 50% cases in which this neuromuscular blocking agent was requested. However, rocuronium and nalbuphine had the highest unjustified cost, 770.6 dollars and 847.0 dollars per 100 requested units, respectively. Ketorolac, diclofenac, metamizol, furosemide, methylprednisolone, sodium bicarbonate, and cisatracurium were requested and documented. The median cost of wasted drug was 141.8 dollars (95% CI 55.8-448.2 dollars) per 100 requested drugs. More than 80% of adrenaline, naloxone, flunitrazepam, ephedrine, and cisatracurium were wasted. However, the highest cost of wasted drugs was for ondansetron, cisatracurium, methylprednisolone, and rocuronium. The uncontrolled availability and use of drugs may represent an important amount of resources wasted without any awareness of the staff in a department of pediatric anesthesia.

Caudal block with 4 mg x kg-1 (1.6 ml x kg-1) of bupivacaine 0.25% in children undergoing surgical correction of congenital pyloric stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Since 1970, bupivacaine 0.25% in a dose of 4 mg x kg-1 (1.6 ml x kg-1) has been used at the Hospital Infantil de México for caudal block in children undergoing surgical correction of congenital pyloric stenosis (CPS). Although this dose is considered unsafe, in our experience, it has been associated with a high success rate and a low incidence of adverse events. This experience has not been previously documented. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of patients undergoing surgical correction of CPS was studied. Nineteen patients received general anaesthesia while 223 received caudal block. The latter were then grouped according to the sedation technique. The rate of successful caudal blocks and complications were considered the major outcomes of the study, whereas the postsurgical fasting period and hospital stay were considered secondary outcomes. RESULTS: The rate of success of caudal block was 96%. Anaesthetic complications related to bupivacaine were present in 1.3%. Mortality occurred in the postoperatory period in one septic patient who also was suffering from gastroschisis that required general anaesthesia. Postoperatory fasting period and hospital stay tended to be higher with general anaesthesia than caudal block. However, of the 19 patients receiving general anaesthesia, five suffered serious comorbidity and nine were failed caudal blocks. CONCLUSIONS: Caudal block with bupivacaine 0.25% (4 mg x kg-1) was associated with a low rate of anaesthetic complications. Further prospective studies to clarify the risks and benefits are required.

Attitudes of Mexican anesthesiologists to indicate preoperative fasting periods: A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: In Mexico, guidelines for fasting periods, or any audits on this topic are unavailable, and therefore the attitudes of anesthesiologists for recommending preoperative fasting periods are unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional survey of anesthesiologists subscribed to the Annual Updated Course, organized by the Sociedad Mexicana de Anestesiologia in 2000. The response rate was 31.4%. RESULTS: Most respondents were general anesthesiologists, with 5 or more years experience in a clinical post, were working in both public and private hospitals, and were performing anesthetic procedures on both pediatric and adult patients and in both ambulatory and hospitalized patients. Approximately 23% of the respondents considered natural fruit juices to be clear liquids. For a pediatric patient ingesting breast milk 1 h before undergoing a surgical procedure, 45% thought that surgery should be delayed for 3h, followed by those delaying the surgical procedure for 6 to 8 h. Our results show that more than 50% of the anesthesiologists had better defined attitudes for fasting milk and clear liquids in patients of 6 month or under than for older children and adults. However, due to the poor definition or pre-operative fasting, using clear liquids, in all other patient groups, several patients are allowed to go without oral clear liquids administration for prolonged periods. CONCLUSION: Preoperative fasting periods recommended by Mexican anesthesiologists differ from international guidelines.

Effect of mivacurium 200 and 250 &mgr;g/kg in infants during isoflurane anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN07742712].

BACKGROUND: Infants usually respond differently to a neuromuscular relaxant compared to children or adults. Isoflurane is commonly used as an anesthetic gas in infants. In an RCT design, we investigated whether a dose of mivacurium 250 &mgr;g/kg results in faster onset of action than 200 &mgr;g/kg in infants under isoflurane anesthesia. Spontaneous recovery times and cardiovascular response were also evaluated. METHODS: Twenty-four low surgical risk children, aged 6-24 months, undergoing an elective surgery and requiring tracheal intubation were selected. After anesthetic induction, patients randomly received an iv bolus dose of mivacurium 200 or 250 &mgr;g/kg. After maximal relaxation, the patient was intubated. Isoflurane was administered to maintain anesthetic level during the surgical procedure. Neuromuscular function was monitored by accelerometry (TOF-Guard) at the adductor pollicies. The first twitch (T) of the TOF and the T4/T1 were measured. The time-course of heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were analysed by transforming them into their respective areas under the curve. RESULTS: Mivacurium 250 &mgr;g/kg produced a maximal T block faster than 200 &mgr;g/kg, i.e. 2.4 +/- 1.1 vs. 3.5 +/- 1.4 min (p < 0.05). Spontaneous recovery times were similar in both groups. Heart rate was similar between doses while systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lower with the higher dose (p < 0.05). Flushing was observed in two cases, one in each group. CONCLUSIONS: The maximal effect of mivacurium 250 &mgr;g/kg, in infants under isoflurane anesthesia, was present one minute faster than 200 &mgr;g/kg. However, it produced a significant cardiovascular response.

Rocuronium administration in children during isoflurane anesthesia: neuromuscular effects

Brockground. The time-course of the effect of rocuronium during isoflurane anesthesia in children rarely evaluated. Forty-five children, aged 2-14 years, ASA 1, undergoing elective surgery and receiving isoflurane anesthesia, were studied. Methods. Patients randomly received a dose of 400, 600, or 800 µg/kg of rocuronium. The first response to control height (T1:TO) was fitted to time in order to obtain times to onset of action (TOA) including time to 90 (b10) and 99.9 percent (B100) of relaxation and to spontaneous reconver of 10 (T10), 25 (t25), 50 (t75), and 90 percent (T90) of neuromuscular function (NMF). Each time was compared among group. Linear regression analysis between the TOA or the times to spontaneous recovery of NMF (TSRNMF) and age or weight were also performed. Results. The TOA were similar among the three groups while TSRNF in children receiving 600 or 800 µg/kg were longer (p< 0.05) than children receiving 400 µg/kg. The T10 and T25 were related to age (p= 0.05), whereas T10, T50, T75, and T90 were related to weight (p< 0.01). These relationships were stringer in males than females. Conclusions. Maximal relaxation was reached in all children receiving 600 or 800 µg/kg of rocuronium. The TSRNMF were mainly related to the weight of the children, and gender affected each relationship. Widely variable response were observed with all three doses

Prácticas transfusionales entre anestesiólogos: I. Resultados de su aplicación en dos años diferentes, 1996 y 1998 / Transfusión practice in Anesthesiologist. I. Results of a survey applied in 1996 and 1998

Objetivo. Conocer las prácticas transfusionales de los anestesiólogos de nuestro país. Material y Métodos. Se aplicó una encuesta durante el Curso Anual de Actualización de la Sociedad Mexicana de Anestesiología en dos años, 1996 y 1998. Metodológicamente, se dividió en tres secciones: en la primera se incluyeron cinco preguntas relacionadas a la práctica profesional, en la segunda se presentaron seis preguntas destinadas a explorar conducta transfusionales tanto para niños como para dultos, y en la tercera sección se exploraron actitudes transfusionales ante cinco situaciones hipotéticas que pudieran haberse presentado en forma aguda en el trans o postoperatorio inmediato de pacientes adultos. Resultados. En las dos aplicaciones de la encuesta, la mayoría de los que contestaron fueron anestesiólogos generales que atendían tanto paciente pediátrico como adulto. Las conductas transfusionales fueron prácticamente iguales en las dos encuestas. Con relación a las situaciones hipotéticas (pérdida menor del 10 por ciento del volumen sanguíneo circulante, pérdida del 10 - 20 por ciento del volumen sanguíneo circulante, sangrado en capa, alteraciones en las pruebas de coagulación, y datos clínicos de hipovolemia), sólo se observó una diferencia (p<0.05) entre ambas encuestas en la administración de sangre total ante una pérdida del 10 al 20 por ciento: sin embargo, considerando a los que administrarían paquete globular y sangre total, la diferencia entre las dos encuestas se pierde. Conclusiones. La encuesta permitió identificar actitudes transfusionales entre anestesiólogos de nuestro país, y estas actitudes fueron semejantes en los dos años de su aplicación