Ultrasound Assessment of Gastric Fluid Volume in Children Scheduled for Elective Surgery After Clear Fluid Fasting for 1 Versus 2 Hours: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the gastric fluid volume (GFV) in children who fasted 1 versus 2 hours using ultrasound, after ingestion of a defined volume of clear fluid. METHODS: Children scheduled for elective surgery were enrolled in this randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial. After receiving 3 mL kg -1 clear fluid, participants were randomized to have a gastric ultrasound after fasting for either 1 hour (1-hour group, n = 116) or 2 hours (2-hour group, n = 111). Our primary outcome was the GFV. Other outcomes included the antral cross-sectional area, frequency of high risk and low risk of aspiration, and qualitative grading for the gastric antrum. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-seven children were available for final analysis. The median (Q1-Q3) GFV was higher in the 1-hour group versus the 2-hour group (0.61 [0.41-0.9] mL kg -1 vs 0.32 [0.23-0.47] mL kg -1 ; P value = .001). None of the study groups had GFV ≥1.5 mL kg -1 . The frequency (%) of GFV ≥1.25 mL kg -1 was comparable between both groups (2 [1.7%] vs 0 [0%], P value = .165). However, the frequency of GFV ≥0.8 mL kg -1 was higher in 1-hour group than in 2-hour group (34.5% vs 4.5%), and grade 2 antral grading score was 56.9% in 1-hour group vs 0.9% in 2-hour group ( P value <.001). CONCLUSIONS: In healthy children scheduled for elective surgery receiving 3 mL kg -1 clear fluid, the median GFV after 1-hour fasting was double the volume after conventional 2-hour fasting. These findings should be considered whether weighting the risk/benefit of a liberal approach to preoperative fasting versus the risk of pulmonary aspiration.

The effect of hyperventilation versus normoventilation on cerebral oxygenation using near infrared spectroscopy in children undergoing posterior fossa tumor resection: A randomized controlled cross-over trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare the effect of two different ventilation strategies on cerebral oxygenation in children undergoing posterior fossa tumor excision surgeries. METHODS: Children scheduled for posterior fossa tumor surgeries were enrolled in this randomized, double-blinded, controlled cross-over trial. After induction of general anesthesia and positioning, participants were randomized to have mild hyperventilation for 30 min (phase 1) followed by normal ventilation for another 30 min (phase2) (early hyperventilation group, n = 23), or normal ventilation for 30 min (phase 1) followed by hyperventilation for 30 min (phase 2) (early normoventilation group, n = 19). Our primary outcome was cerebral oxygenation, measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Other outcomes included the intracranial pressure (ICP), brain relaxation score at the end of phase 1, and frequency of nadir NIRS. RESULTS: Forty-two children were available for final per protocol analysis. The cerebral oxygenation decreased after the hyperventilation phase compared to the baseline values and the corresponding phases of normoventilation. The mean difference [95% confidence intervals (CI)] in cerebral oxygen saturation between the hyperventilation and normal ventilation readings was 13.45 ± 1.14% [11.14-15.76] and 11.47 ± 0.96% [11.14-15.76] in the left and right sides, respectively (p-values <0.0001). Both carryover and period effects were not significant. The ICP at the end of phase 1 did not differ between the two groups: 22.12 ± 3.75 mmHg vs. 23.26 ± 4.33, mean difference [95%CI]: -0.78 [-3.05 to 1.5], p = 0.49. Brain relaxation score was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: In children undergoing posterior fossa craniotomy, moderate hyperventilation reduced cerebral oxygenation without significant improvement of the surgical brain relaxation or the ICP.

Ondansetron Is an Effective Alternative to Decrease the Incidence of Postspinal Hypotension in Healthy Subjects Undergoing Infra-Umbilical Surgeries Compared To Combined Volume Loading and Vasoconstrictors: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: One of the important and predicted physiological effects of spinal anaesthesia is hypotension. A range of strategies including mechanical interventions, intravenous fluids and vasoconstrictor drugs have been used to minimise or prevent spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension. Observational studies suggest that ondansetron reduces the incidence of post-spinal hypotension (PSH) and support the use of combined fluid preloading and vasoconstrictors for this purpose (but with limited doses) to avoid side effects as fluid overload and tachycardia respectively. AIM: As no RCT had ever compared the use of Ondansetron alone with combined vasoconstrictors and fluid preload, so, this randomised controlled trial has evaluated the efficacy of the use of ondansetron alone compared to the combined use of fluid preload and vasoconstrictors to decrease the incidence of spinal hypotension. METHODS: Ninety patients of ASA grade I between the age of 18 and 45 years scheduled to undergo elective surgical procedures on the lower extremity or lower abdomen under spinal anaesthesia were included in the study. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 45 each. Group I patients (ondansetron group) received 4 mg ondansetron in 5 ml normal saline (IV) 15 minutes before induction of spinal anaesthesia. Group II patients (combination group) received preloading with 7.5 ml/kg/min of Ringer's lactate over 10 minute period preceding the spinal block followed by intravenous bolus of 2.5 mg ephedrine in the first and second minute and 2.5 mg ephedrine every 5 minutes for the next 20 minutes after the injection of spinal anesthetic drug. Non-invasive measurement of mean arterial pressures, heart rate, reactive hypertension, nausea and vomiting were documented. RESULTS: The incidence of hypotension following the subarachnoid block in Group I (ondansetron group) was 17.6% versus group II (combination group) was 13.3%, while difference among the groups is statistically insignificant (P = 0.082). Group IV fluids alone could reverse hypotension in 57.1% of patients in group I 33.3% in group II. 42.9% of patients in group I and 67.7% in group II could not be managed with IV fluids alone and had to be treated with 5 mg boluses of ephedrine for reversal of hypotension. The difference in the mean number of fluid boluses and a dose of ephedrine used between both groups was statistically insignificant (P = 0.11 and P = 0.21). HR showed a significant increase in group II and a statistically insignificant change in group I with a statistically significant difference in the heart rate (HR) between both groups (P < 0.05). Reactive hypertension, nausea and vomiting between both groups were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: The preemptive use of Ondansetron alone versus combined vasoconstrictors with fluid preload significantly reduces the incidence of post-spinal hypotension (PSH) with no significant difference between both regimens. Furthermore, they also reduced consumption of the used vasoconstrictors and fluids to correct hypotension.