Local anesthetic toxicity following erector spinae plane block in a neonate: A case report.

A 6-day-old, 4.0 kg neonate presented with intestinal malrotation, necessitating laparotomy. Intra-operatively, an ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block was performed under general anesthesia with administration of 1 mg/kg levobupivacaine. Minutes following this, acute cardiac compromise was evident from a tapering end-tidal carbon dioxide, falling oxygen saturations, and low blood pressure. Intravenous epinephrine 1 mcg/kg was administered, with some hemodynamic improvement. Intralipid (1.5 ml/kg) was given, with a return to normal hemodynamic parameters. This is the first case report of suspected local anesthetic toxicity in a neonate following an erector spinae plane block.

Use of combined cerebral and somatic renal near infrared spectroscopy during noncardiac surgery in children: a proposed algorithm.

Cerebral near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring has been extensively applied in neonatology and in cardiac surgery, becoming a standard in many pediatric cardiac centers. However, compensatory physiological mechanisms favor cerebral perfusion to the detriment of peripheral tissue oxygenation. Therefore, simultaneous measurement of cerebral and somatic oxygen saturation has been advocated to ease the differential diagnosis between central and peripheral sources of hypoperfusion, which may go undetected by standard monitoring and not mirrored by cerebral NIRS alone. A clinical algorithm already exists in cardiac surgery, aimed to correct intraoperative cerebral oxygen desaturations. A similar algorithm still lacks in noncardiac pediatric surgery. The goal of this paper is to propose a clinical algorithm for the combined use of cerebral and somatic NIRS monitoring during anesthesia in the pediatric population undergoing noncardiac surgery. A panel of experienced pediatric anesthetists developed the algorithm that is based on the clinical experience and intraoperative observations. It aims to lessen the current variability in interpreting NIRS measurement. Multisite NIRS monitoring was achieved applying one pediatric sensor to the forehead for cerebral tissue perfusion reading and a second one to the decumbent lumbar region for recording somatic renal tissue perfusion. The algorithm describes a sequence of acts aimed to identify the putative cause of intraoperative organ tissue desaturation and suggests clinical interventions expected to restore adequate tissue perfusion. It is composed of two arms: the main arm includes patients with an observed decrease in cerebral perfusion (CrO2), the second one includes those with a stable CrSO2 with declining RrSO2. Described also are five clinical cases of infants and neonates in whom pathological alterations of organ perfusion were detected using intraoperative multisite NIRS monitoring, portrayed in the accompanying figures (Annex).

Behavioral training and mirroring techniques to prepare for elective anesthesia in children with autism spectrum disorder: a prospective evaluation of implemented program.

BACKGROUND: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often require multiple interventions receiving general anesthesia during their lifetimes. However, a single negative experience may trigger and/or aggravate anxiety and subsequent development of unwanted behavior. This monocentric study assessed the compliance with mask induction of children with ASD who followed a preoperative preparation using behavioral training with positive reinforcement technique and use of mirroring technique. METHODS: Prospective observational study including all children with ASD scheduled for day case treatment receiving general anesthesia, from November 2019 to August 2022. The primary outcome was Induction Compliance Checklist (ICC) score. The secondary outcomes were child's anxiety in the operating room assessed by the modified Yale Anxiety Scale (mYPAS), the comportment of the child in the recovery room, parental satisfaction about perioperative management (0 to 10 numerical scale) and the satisfaction of the caregivers about anesthetic management (0 to 10 numerical scale). Behavioral changes were assessed one month after the procedure when possible. RESULTS: In total, 43 children from one to 17 years old were included. Median ICC score was 3 [1-6]. Induction Compliance was considered as excellent in 18.6% of patients, good in 39.5%, fair in 14.0% and poor in 27.9%. Seven patients (16.3%) needed restraint during induction. CONCLUSIONS: The use of behavioral and mirroring techniques implemented as a preparation program for children with ASD could facilitate mask induction of anesthesia. Such a preparation achieves good to excellent compliance in almost 60% of patients.

Pediatric intracranial empyema complicating otogenic and sinogenic infection.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare clinical and microbiological features, surgical and medical management, and outcomes of children with otogenic and sinogenic intracranial empyema (IE) in an institution with an established multidisciplinary protocol. To use the study findings to inform and update the institutional algorithm. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was carried out on the electronic healthcare records of all children with oto-sinogenic IE admitted in a 5-year period. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients were identified and treated according to an institutional protocol. Two distinct groups were identified: intracranial empyema related to otogenic infection (OI-IE, n = 36) or sinogenic infection (SI-IE, n = 40). SI-IE was seen in older children and had a significantly higher morbidity. Sub-dural IE was seen in a minority (n = 16) and only in SI-IE and required urgent collaborative ENT-neurosurgery. Extra-dural IE occurred more frequently and was seen in both SI-IE and OI-IE. No death and overall low morbidity were observed. Particularities found in SI-IE and OI-IE groups (as thrombosis, microbiology, antibiotic treatment, duration and outcome) permitted the delineation of these groups in our updated algorithm. CONCLUSION: The presence of a collaborative multidisciplinary protocol permits the step-wise co-ordination of care for these complex patients in our institution. All patients received prompt imaging, urgent surgical intervention, and antibiotic treatment. Microbiological identification was possible for each patient and antibiotic rationalization was permitted through use of Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in cases of sterile cultures. Of note, intracranial empyema related to sinogenic infection is shown to have significantly more severe clinical presentation, a higher morbidity, and a longer duration of antibiotic therapy than that related to otogenic infection. Study findings allowed for the update and clarification of the institutional protocol, which now clearly demarcates the clinical presentation, biological evidence, radiology, surgical and medical treatments in children with oto-sinogenic IE.

Resuscitation orders in the perioperative setting: A survey of knowledge, practices and perceptions among consultant and trainee anaesthesiologists.

BACKGROUND: As advance healthcare directives gain clarity in state legislation in Ireland, anaesthesiologists will come across patients with resuscitation orders that will demand interpretation when encountered perioperatively. Studies show variable perceptions among anaesthesiologists towards the binding nature of resuscitation orders in the context of anaesthesia provision. Currently, knowledge, perceptions and practices of anaesthesiologists in Ireland towards such orders are not known. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to anaesthesiologists in adult teaching hospitals. RESULTS: In this cohort, 65.9% of those surveyed did not know if there was a local hospital policy advance healthcare directive containing, do not attempt resuscitation, decisions in the perioperative period in their current hospital; 57.7% did not know if there was a policy for not for resuscitation orders; 74.8% did not know if there are guidelines for the management of patients with resuscitation orders. Irrespective of the presence of an order stating otherwise, 43.9% would initiate resuscitation in the event of any arrest occurring in theatre, with 66.7% initiating resuscitation if secondary to iatrogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: By uncovering low self-perceived levels of knowledge and mixed perceptions towards resuscitation orders, the authors hope that the study initiates much-needed conversations on the topic, particularly at a time when advance healthcare directives find a more firm legal footing in Ireland.

Communication skills with children in paediatric anaesthesia: challenges while wearing a face mask.

Effective communication with children is a skill, the importance of which is especially highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ubiquitous wearing of face masks. Anaesthesiology consultants have been shown to display excellent communication skills that facilitate the development of rapid rapport and patient cooperation. Good communication results in positive interactions for hospitalised children, which correlates with improved healthcare outcomes. However, interactions with a child aren't always straightforward, particularly for trainees unfamiliar with certain communication techniques, which are important to use at a time when when the wearing of face masks is commonplace.