Are all preterm infants younger than 60 weeks postconceptual age at risk for postanesthetic apnea?

Congenital Cataracts in Preterm Infants: A Review

A congenital cataract is one of the most treatable causes of visual impairment during infancy. Preterm infants who are born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy need special care, including proper age documentation, preoperative assessment, and monitoring postoperatively for at least 24 hours. Management of cataracts in preterm infants is critical as regards the timing of cataract surgery and the challenges associated with cataract surgery and posterior segment management for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This narrative review aims to provide comprehensive insight and up-to-date clinical research findings regarding the pathophysiology and management of congenital cataracts in preterm infants.

Postoperative apnea after pyloromyotomy for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Objective

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS), which causes gastric outlet obstruction and hypochloremic hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, could pose a risk of postoperative apnea in patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of postoperative apnea in babies admitted to a tertiary-level pediatric surgical center in Milano, Italy with diagnosis of IHPS in 2010–2019. The secondary objective is to evaluate the risk factors for postoperative apnea.

Methods

This is a single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study. All patients admitted to our institution with diagnosis of IHPS during the study period were enrolled. Demographic and surgical variables, along with blood gas parameters, were obtained from the population. Postoperative apnea was defined as a respiratory pause longer than 15 s or a respiratory pause lasting less than 15 s, but associated with either bradycardia (heart rate <120 per minute), desaturation (SatO2 <90%), cyanosis, or hypotonia. Occurrence was obtained from nursing charts and was recorded as a no/yes dichotomous variable.

Results

Of 122 patients, 12 (9.84%) experienced apnea and 110 (90.16%) did not. Using univariate analysis, we found that only postoperative hemoglobin was significantly different between the groups (p=0.03). No significant multivariable model was better than this univariate model for prediction of apnea.

Conclusions

Postoperative anemia, possibly due to hemodilution, increased the risk of postoperative apnea. It could be hypothesized that anemia can be added as another apnea-contributing factor in a population at risk due to metabolic changes.

Developmental respiratory physiology

Various developmental aspects of respiratory physiology put infants and young children at an increased risk of respiratory failure, which is associated with a higher rate of critical incidents during anesthesia. The immaturity of control of breathing in infants is reflected by prolonged central apneas and periodic breathing, and an increased risk of apneas after anesthesia. The physiology of the pediatric upper and lower airways is characterized by a higher flow resistance and airway collapsibility. The increased chest wall compliance and reduced gas exchange surface of the lungs reduce the pulmonary oxygen reserve vis-à-vis a higher metabolic oxygen demand, which causes more rapid oxygen desaturation when ventilation is compromised. This review describes the various developmental aspects of respiratory physiology and summarizes anesthetic implications.

Prematurity is a critical risk factor for respiratory failure after early inguinal hernia repair under general anesthesia

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to determine the earliest timing of inguinal hernia repair under general anesthesia with minimized risk for respiratory complications during postoperative course.

METHODS

We performed a monocentric analysis of patient records of premature and full-term infants undergoing inguinal hernia repair between 2009 and 2016. In addition to demographic and medical parameters, preexisting conditions and the perioperative course were recorded.

RESULTS

The study included 499 infants (preterm n = 285; full term n = 214). The number of subsequently ventilated patients was particularly high among preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, up to 45.3% (p < 0.001). Less than 10% of subsequent ventilation occurred in preterm infants after 45 weeks of postmenstrual age at the time of surgery or in patients with a body weight of more than 4,100 g. Preterm infants with a bronchopulmonary dysplasia had an increased risk of apneas (p < 0.05). Only 10% of the preterm babies with postoperative apneas weighed more than 3,600 g at the time of surgery or were older than 44 weeks of postmenstrual age.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that after the 45th week of postmenstrual age and a weight above 4,100 g, the risk for respiratory failure after general anesthesia seems to be significantly decreased in preterm infants.

Recovery Characteristics in Neonates Following General Anesthesia: A Retrospective Chart Review

Introduction

Preterm babies increasingly survive the neonatal period as a result of advanced care practices. Accordingly, anesthesiologists are likely to encounter these patients with greater frequency. Ex-premature infants and term neonates are known to have an increased risk of post-operative apneas following surgery and anaesthesia.

Methods

Following approval from the Institutional Review Board, we performed a retrospective chart review of neonates 0-28 days of age who underwent general anaesthesia procedures over two years. Data collected included age days, sex, weight, gestational age, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status, type of anaesthetic (general/regional/spinal), airway management, surgical procedure, intraoperative adverse events, duration of anaesthesia, medications administered, post-operative recovery location, the occurrence of apneic events, medical co-morbidities, duration of post anaesthesia care unit (PACU) admission, a requirement for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and duration of hospital admission.

Results

A total of 239 charts were reviewed from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2016. Ninety-five cases were excluded for required postoperative mechanical ventilation. For the remaining 144 cases, the mean age was 12.8 days, 65% male, 35% female, mean gestational age 38.6 weeks, mean post-menstrual age 40.5 weeks, mean ASA status 3.5, and mean weight 3.46 kg. Post-operative apnea was observed in two neonates (1.4%).

Risk factors for postoperative apnea included lower gestational age at birth (median 37.5 vs. 39.1 weeks, p=0.26), lower post-menstrual age (median 38.5 vs. 41.0 weeks, p=0.18), and lower weight (median 2.8 vs. 3.5kg, p=0.27), respectively. ASA classification, preoperative anaemia, and known pathology were all significant risk factors for apnea (p<0.05). Significant factors from the bivariate analysis were preoperative anaemia, known pathology, age, duration of anaesthesia, weight, intraoperative fentanyl, and amount of neuromuscular blocker. Age and preoperative anaemia were significant predictors for recovery location. The odds of going to PACU vs NICU/PICU for post-operative recovery were 7.4 times greater for every two weeks greater age (95% CI=(2.80-19.31), p<0.001). 

Conclusion

This study corroborates previous findings of predictive risk factors for post-anaesthesia apnea in preterm and term neonates. Previously reported risk factors, including low gestational/post-menstrual age, lower weight, and intraoperative narcotic use, were likely contributors to one of the apneic events in our study. A larger sample size is warranted to confirm a valid predictive model. Standardized universal guidelines would be useful in eliminating local variation in PACU monitoring and discharge criteria in this vulnerable age group.

Association of anesthesia type with prolonged postoperative intubation in neonates undergoing inguinal hernia repair

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to determine factors associated with prolonged intubation after inguinal herniorrhaphy in neonates.

METHODS

Retrospective, single institution review of neonates undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy between 2010 and 2018. Variables recorded included demographics, comorbidities, ventilation status at time of hernia repair, and anesthetic technique.

RESULTS

We identified 97 neonates (median corrected gestational age 39.9 weeks, IQR 6.6). The majority (87.6%) received general anesthesia (GA); the remainder received caudal anesthesia (CA). Among the GA subjects, 25.8% remained intubated for at least 6 h after surgery, whereas none of the CA patients required intubation postoperatively (p = 0.03). Two risk factors associated with prolonged postoperative intubation: a history of intubation before surgery (p = 0.04) and a diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Neonates undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy under GA have a greater rate of prolonged postoperative intubation compared with those undergoing CA. A history of previous intubation and bronchopulmonary dysplasia were significant risk factors for prolonged postoperative intubation.

[Different anesthesia management in preterm infants undergoing surgeries for retinopathy of prematurity: A retrospective study]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of different anesthesia management on clinical outcomes in former prematurely born infants undergoing surgeries for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODS

In this retrospective study, electronic medical record database was searched for all former prematurely born infants (gestational age < 37 weeks and post conceptual age < 60 weeks) who received ROP surgery under inhalational general anesthesia between November 2016 and October 2018. The patients were divided into two groups based on anesthesia management: laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion without intravenous muscle relaxant injection and with pressure support ventilation (LMA group) or airway secured with endotracheal tube (ETT) with intravenous muscle relaxant injection and pressure controlled ventilation (ETT group). Primary outcomes included perioperative adverse events and complications. Extubation time and length of stay after surgery were also recorded.

RESULTS

Sixty eight preterm infants in the LMA group and 100 preterm infants in the ETT group were included. The incidence of adverse events during surgery (including airway management change and desaturation) was similar in LMA group and ETT group (4.4% vs. 1.0%, P =0.364). During the early recovery period after surgery, the incidence of difficult extubation (extubation time >30 min) was significantly lower in LMA group compared with ETT group (4.4% vs.15.0%, RR=0.262, 95%CI:0.073－0.942, P=0.029). The incidence of respiratory events was similar between the two groups (20.6% vs. 27.0%, P =0.342). However, the incidence of apnea was significantly lower in the LMA group than in the ETT group (5.9% vs.19.0%, RR=0.266, 95%CI: 0.086－0.822, P =0.015). No significant difference was observed between the LMA group and ETT group in incidences of cardiovascular events (0% vs. 1.0%, P =1.000) and unplanned admission to neonatal intensive care unit (5.9% vs. 7.0%, P=0.774). No airway spasm, re-intubation, aspiration or regurgitation was observed during early recovery. During late recovery after returning to ward, the incidence of adverse events was also similar between the two groups (0% vs. 2.0%, P =0.241). The median (IQR) extubation time was 6 (5, 10) min in LMA group and 10 (6, 19) min in ETT group (P < 0.001). The median length of stay after surgery was significantly shortened in LMA group compared with ETT group [20 (17, 22) hours vs. 22 (17, 68) hours, P =0.002].

CONCLUSION

Compared with endotracheal intubation with intravenous muscle relaxant injection, laryngeal mask airway insertion without muscle relaxant could achieve an early extubation, and reduce the incidence of apnea during early recovery period in former prematurely born infants undergoing ROP surgery.

Automatic unsupervised respiratory analysis of infant respiratory inductance plethysmography signals

Infants are at risk for potentially life-threatening postoperative apnea (POA). We developed an Automated Unsupervised Respiratory Event Analysis (AUREA) to classify breathing patterns obtained with dual belt respiratory inductance plethysmography and a reference using Expectation Maximization (EM). This work describes AUREA and evaluates its performance. AUREA computes six metrics and inputs them into a series of four binary k-means classifiers. Breathing patterns were characterized by normalized variance, nonperiodic power, instantaneous frequency and phase. Signals were classified sample by sample into one of 5 patterns: pause (PAU), movement (MVT), synchronous (SYB) and asynchronous (ASB) breathing, and unknown (UNK). MVT and UNK were combined as UNKNOWN. Twenty-one preprocessed records obtained from infants at risk for POA were analyzed. Performance was evaluated with a confusion matrix, overall accuracy, and pattern specific precision, recall, and F-score. Segments of identical patterns were evaluated for fragmentation and pattern matching with the EM reference. PAU exhibited very low normalized variance. MVT had high normalized nonperiodic power and low frequency. SYB and ASB had a median frequency of respectively, 0.76Hz and 0.71Hz, and a mode for phase of 4^o and 100^o. Overall accuracy was 0.80. AUREA confused patterns most often with UNKNOWN (25.5%). The pattern specific F-score was highest for SYB (0.88) and lowest for PAU (0.60). PAU had high precision (0.78) and low recall (0.49). Fragmentation was evident in pattern events <2s. In 75% of the EM pattern events >2s, 50% of the samples classified by AUREA had identical patterns. Frequency and phase for SYB and ASB were consistent with published values for synchronous and asynchronous breathing in infants. The low normalized variance in PAU, was consistent with published scoring rules for pediatric apnea. These findings support the use of AUREA to classify breathing patterns and warrant a future evaluation of clinically relevant respiratory events.

Development: Epidemiology and management of postoperative apnoea in premature and term newborns

Postoperative apnoea (PA) is defined as a respiratory pause of more than 15seconds or as a respiratory pause associated with bradycardia < 120/min, desaturation (Sat02<90%), cyanosis or hypotonia. This is a relatively frequent phenomenon that affects 10% of infants under 60 weeks of post-conceptual age, born prematurely or not, and occurs during the first 12-48h postoperatively. The population exposed to PA is heterogeneous and it is necessary to standardise the management both during the intra- and postoperative period, and to adapt this management according to the risk factors for PA and the status as prematurely born infants or not, based on recent data from the literature.

Apnea in Preterm and Term Infants After Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia

OBJECTIVES

Determine the incidence of apnea in preterm and term infants after deep sedation (DS) compared with general anesthesia (GA).

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed on infants who underwent elective DS or GA from January 2008 to December 2013, were <60 weeks postmenstrual age if preterm or <50 weeks postmenstrual age if term, and were monitored for apnea as inpatients after DS or GA. Gestational age, postmenstrual age, chronologic age, anesthetic and sedative medications, procedure indication, and postsedation events were collected.

RESULTS

There were 61 DS encounters (24 preterm and 37 term) and 175 GA encounters (120 preterm and 55 term) that met inclusion criteria. No recorded apneic events in either preterm or term infants were recorded after DS. After GA, 1.7% of infants had apneic events (2.5% preterm and 0 term; P = .57 versus DS). All events occurred within 2 hours of monitoring in recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

None of the infants had apnea after DS. Rates from the literature would suggest that 2 to 6 of the preterm DS subjects should have experienced postsedation apnea. Sampled GA subjects had a rate of 2.5% in preterm infants exhibiting apnea after GA. Although the post-DS apnea rate is lower than what has been previously published, the small sample size and limitations of a retrospective design prevent us from directing a change in postsedation monitoring recommendations. However, we do support the need for prospective studies with strict monitoring criteria to reveal the true risk of post-DS apnea.

Perioperative care of infants with pyloric stenosis

Pyloric stenosis (PS) is one of the most common surgical conditions affecting neonates and young infants. The definitive treatment for PS is surgical pyloromyotomy, either open or laparoscopic. However, surgical intervention should never be considered urgent or emergent. More importantly, emergent medical intervention may be required to correct intravascular volume depletion and electrolyte disturbances. Given advancements in surgical and perioperative care, morbidity and mortality from PS should be limited. However, either may occur related to poor preoperative resuscitation, anesthetic management difficulties, or postoperative complications. The following manuscript reviews the current evidence-based medicine regarding the perioperative care of infants with PS with focus on the preoperative assessment and correction of metabolic abnormalities, intraoperative care including airway management (particularly debate related to rapid sequence intubation), maintenance anesthetic techniques, and techniques for postoperative pain management. Additionally, reports of applications of regional anesthesia for either postoperative pain control or as an alternative to general anesthesia are discussed. Management recommendations are provided whenever possible.

Predictors of Failure of Awake Regional Anesthesia for Neonatal Hernia Repair: Data from the General Anesthesia Compared to Spinal Anesthesia Study--Comparing Apnea and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Awake regional anesthesia (RA) is a viable alternative to general anesthesia (GA) for infants undergoing lower abdominal surgery. Benefits include lower incidence of postoperative apnea and avoidance of anesthetic agents that may increase neuroapoptosis and worsen neurocognitive outcomes. The General Anesthesia compared to Spinal anesthesia study compares neurodevelopmental outcomes after awake RA or GA in otherwise healthy infants. The aim of the study is to describe success and failure rates of RA and report factors associated with failure.

METHODS

This was a nested cohort study within a prospective, randomized, controlled, observer-blind, equivalence trial. Seven hundred twenty-two infants 60 weeks or less postmenstrual age scheduled for herniorrhaphy under anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive RA (spinal, caudal epidural, or combined spinal caudal anesthetic) or GA with sevoflurane. The data of 339 infants, where spinal or combined spinal caudal anesthetic was attempted, were analyzed. Possible predictors of failure were assessed including patient factors, technique, experience of site and anesthetist, and type of local anesthetic.

RESULTS

RA was sufficient for the completion of surgery in 83.2% of patients. Spinal anesthesia was successful in 86.9% of cases and combined spinal caudal anesthetic in 76.1%. Thirty-four patients required conversion to GA, and an additional 23 patients (6.8%) required brief sedation. Bloody tap on the first attempt at lumbar puncture was the only risk factor significantly associated with block failure (odds ratio = 2.46).

CONCLUSIONS

The failure rate of spinal anesthesia was low. Variability in application of combined spinal caudal anesthetic limited attempts to compare the success of this technique to spinal alone.

Apnea after Awake Regional and General Anesthesia in Infants: The General Anesthesia Compared to Spinal Anesthesia Study--Comparing Apnea and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes, a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Postoperative apnea is a complication in young infants. Awake regional anesthesia (RA) may reduce the risk; however, the evidence is weak. The General Anesthesia compared to Spinal anesthesia study is a randomized, controlled trial designed to assess the influence of general anesthesia (GA) on neurodevelopment. A secondary aim is to compare rates of apnea after anesthesia.

METHODS

Infants aged 60 weeks or younger, postmenstrual age scheduled for inguinal herniorrhaphy, were randomized to RA or GA. Exclusion criteria included risk factors for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome and infants born less than 26 weeks gestation. The primary outcome of this analysis was any observed apnea up to 12 h postoperatively. Apnea assessment was unblinded.

RESULTS

Three hundred sixty-three patients were assigned to RA and 359 to GA. Overall, the incidence of apnea (0 to 12 h) was similar between arms (3% in RA and 4% in GA arms; odds ratio [OR], 0.63; 95% CI, 0.31 to 1.30, P = 0.2133); however, the incidence of early apnea (0 to 30 min) was lower in the RA arm (1 vs. 3%; OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.91; P = 0.0367). The incidence of late apnea (30 min to 12 h) was 2% in both RA and GA arms (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.41 to 3.33; P = 0.7688). The strongest predictor of apnea was prematurity (OR, 21.87; 95% CI, 4.38 to 109.24), and 96% of infants with apnea were premature.

CONCLUSIONS

RA in infants undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy reduces apnea in the early postoperative period. Cardiorespiratory monitoring should be used for all ex-premature infants.

Regional (spinal, epidural, caudal) versus general anaesthesia in preterm infants undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy in early infancy

BACKGROUND

With improvements in neonatal intensive care, more preterm infants are surviving the neonatal period and presenting for surgery in early infancy. Inguinal hernia is the most common condition requiring early surgery, appearing in 38% of infants whose birth weight is between 751 grams and 1000 grams. Approximately 20% to 30% of otherwise healthy preterm infants having general anaesthesia for inguinal hernia surgery at a postmature age have at least one apnoeic episode within the postoperative period. Research studies have failed to adequately distinguish the effects of apnoeic episodes from other complications of extreme preterm gestation on the risk of brain injury, or to investigate the potential impact of postoperative apnoea upon longer term neurodevelopment. In addition to episodes of apnoea, there are concerns that anaesthetic and sedative agents may have a direct toxic effect on the developing brain of preterm infants even after reaching postmature age. It is proposed that regional anaesthesia may reduce the risk of postoperative apnoea, avoid the risk of anaesthetic-related neurotoxicity and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants requiring surgery for inguinal hernia at a postmature age.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if regional anaesthesia reduces postoperative apnoea, bradycardia, the use of assisted ventilation, and neurological impairment, in comparison to general anaesthesia, in preterm infants undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy at a postmature age.

SEARCH METHODS

The following databases and resources were searched: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, 2015, Issue 2), MEDLINE (December 2002 to 25 February 2015), EMBASE (December 2002 to 25 February 2015), controlled-trials.com and clinicaltrials.gov, reference lists of published trials and abstracts published in Pediatric Research and Pediatric Anesthesia.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of regional (spinal, epidural, caudal) versus general anaesthesia, or combined regional and general anaesthesia, in former preterm infants undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy in early infancy.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

At least two of three review authors (LJ, JF, AL) independently extracted data and performed analyses. Authors were contacted to obtain missing data. The methodological quality of each study was assessed according to the criteria of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group. Data were analysed using Review Manager 5. Meta-analyses were performed with calculation of risk ratios (RR) and risk difference (RD), along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) where appropriate.

MAIN RESULTS

Seven small trials comparing spinal with general anaesthesia in the repair of inguinal hernia were identified. Two trial reports are listed as 'Studies awaiting classification' due to insufficient information on which to base an eligibility assessment. There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of postoperative apnoea/bradycardia (typical RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.06; 4 studies, 138 infants), postoperative oxygen desaturation (typical RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.11; 2 studies, 48 infants), the use of postoperative analgesics (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.18; 1 study, 44 infants), or postoperative respiratory support (typical RR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01 to1.64; 3 studies, 98 infants) between infants receiving spinal or general anaesthesia. When infants who had received preoperative sedatives were excluded, the meta-analysis supported a reduction in the risk of postoperative apnoea in the spinal anaesthesia group (typical RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.82; 4 studies, 129 infants). Infants with no history of apnoea in the preoperative period and receiving spinal anaesthesia (including a subset of infants who had received sedatives) had a reduced risk of postoperative apnoea and this reached statistical significance (typical RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.81; 4 studies, 134 infants). Infants receiving spinal rather than general anaesthesia had a statistically significant increased risk of anaesthetic agent failure (typical RR 7.83, 95% CI 1.51 to 40.58; 3 studies, 92 infants). Infants randomised to receive spinal anaesthesia had an increased risk of anaesthetic placement failure of borderline statistical significance (typical RR 7.38, 95% CI 0.98 to 55.52; typical RD 0.15, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.27; 3 studies, 90 infants).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is moderate-quality evidence to suggest that the administration of spinal in preference to general anaesthesia without pre- or intraoperative sedative administration may reduce the risk of postoperative apnoea by up to 47% in preterm infants undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy at a postmature age. For every four infants treated with spinal anaesthesia, one infant may be prevented from having an episode of postoperative apnoea (NNTB=4). In those infants without preoperative apnoea, there is low-quality evidence that spinal rather than general anaesthesia may reduce the risk of preoperative apnoea by up to 66%. There was no difference in the effect of spinal compared with general anaesthesia on the overall incidence of postoperative apnoea, bradycardia, oxygen desaturation, need for postoperative analgesics or respiratory support. Limitations on these results included varying use of sedative agents, or different anaesthetic agents, or combinations of these factors, in addition to trial quality aspects such as allocation concealment and inadequate blinding of intervention and outcome assessment. The meta-analyses may have inadequate power to detect a difference between groups for some outcomes, with estimates of effect based on a total population of fewer than 140 infants.The effect of newer, rapidly acting, quickly metabolised general anaesthetic agents on safety with regard to the risk of postoperative apnoea and neurotoxic exposure has not so far been established in randomised trials. There is potential for harm from postoperative apnoea and direct brain toxicity from general anaesthetic agents superimposed upon pre-existing altered brain development in infants born at very to extreme preterm gestation. This highlights the clear need for the examination of neurodevelopmental outcomes in the context of large randomised controlled trials of general, compared with spinal, anaesthesia, in former preterm infants undergoing surgery for inguinal hernia.There is a particular need to examine the impact of the choice of spinal over general anaesthesia on respiratory and neurological outcomes in high-risk infant subgroups with severe respiratory disease and previous brain injury.

Spinal anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair in infants: a feasible and safe method even in emergency cases

BACKGROUND

Inguinal hernia repair is the most frequently performed surgical procedure in infants and children. Especially in premature infants, prevalence reaches up to 30% in coincidence with high rates of incarceration during the first year of life. These infants carry an increased risk of complications due to general anesthesia. Thus, spinal anesthesia is a topic of growing interest for this group of patients. We hypothesized that spinal anesthesia is a feasible and safe option for inguinal hernia repair in infants even at high risk and cases of incarceration.

METHODS

Between 2003 and 2013, we operated 100 infants younger than 6 months with inguinal hernia. Clinical data were collected prospectively and retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups depending on anesthesia procedure (spinal anesthesia, Group 1 vs. general anesthesia, Group 2).

RESULTS

Spinal anesthesia was performed in 69 infants, and 31 infants were operated in general anesthesia, respectively. In 7 of these 31 infants, general anesthesia was chosen because of lumbar puncture failure. Infants operated in spinal anesthesia were significantly smaller (54 ± 4 vs. 57 ± 4 cm; p = 0.001), had a lower body weight (4,047 ± 1,002 vs. 5,327 ± 1,376 g; p < 0.001) and higher rate of prematurity (26 vs. 4%; p = 0.017) compared to those operated in general anesthesia. No complications related to surgery or to anesthesia were found in both groups. The number of relevant preexisting diseases was higher in Group 1 (11 vs. 3%; p = 0.54). Seven of eight emergent incarcerated hernia repairs were performed in spinal anesthesia (p = 0.429).

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal anesthesia is a feasible and safe option for inguinal hernia repair in infants, especially in high-risk premature infants and in cases of hernia incarceration.

Inguinal hernia in premature boys: should we systematically explore the contralateral side?

OBJECTIVE

Bilateral surgery has been largely advocated in premature boys with unilateral inguinal hernia owing to the high incidence of contralateral patent processus vaginalis. Recently, the potential morbidity of herniotomy in low birth-weight babies and the progress in pediatric anesthesia questioned this attitude. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of contralateral metachronous hernia in a large series of premature boys and to compare the morbidity of preventive versus elective surgery.

METHODS

This retrospective multicenter analysis of 964 premature boys presenting with unilateral inguinal hernia operated from 1998 to 2012 included 557 infants who benefited from a unilateral herniotomy and 407 from a bilateral herniotomy (median follow-up 12months).

RESULTS

Contralateral metachronous hernia after unilateral surgery occurred in 11% (n=60) without significant difference according to the initial symptomatic side (9.5% on right vs 13% on left, p>0.05). Postoperative morbidity on the contralateral side was higher after preventive surgery than elective surgery with metachronous hernia (2.45% versus 0.9%, p=0.05) especially for secondary cryptorchidism (1% vs 0%, p=0.03). Despite the risk of metachronous incarcerated hernia, elective surgery did not increase the rate of testicular hypotrophy on the opposite side (0.7%, vs 0.7%, p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Systematic bilateral herniotomy is unnecessary in almost 90% of patients and has a significant morbidity. Secondary surgery for metachronous hernia does not increase the risk of testicular lesion and even reduces the risk of secondary cryptorchidism. These results, along with the risk of hypofertility reported after bilateral surgery, may justify treating only the symptomatic side in premature boys.

Neonatal laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: a 3-year experience

PURPOSE

To retrospectively analyze the feasibility, safety and complication rate of laparoscopic inguinal herniorraphy in babies weighing 5 kg or less.

METHODS

Thirty infants weighing 5 kg or less underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair during a 3-year period. Twenty-eight infants were born preterm and the mean body weight at surgery was 3,800 kg. Internal inguinal ring was closed with a non-absorbable purse-string suture. Contralateral processus vaginalis was closed if patent. Feeding was started on the same day and the patient discharged the following day. Follow-up consisted of physical examination at 1 week, 6 and 12 months post-operatively.

RESULTS

Of the 30 patients (27 males, 3 females), 11 had bilateral and 19 monolateral hernia (16 right, 3 left). At laparoscopy, 23 infants needed to have bilateral herniorraphies. The mean corrected gestational age at surgery was 49.1 weeks. The mean operative time for repair was 30 min for unilateral and 41 min for bilateral hernia. There were not intra- or post-operative complications as well as conversions or recurrences.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in newborns and in ex-preterm infants is a safe and effective procedure to perform and, perhaps, even less technically demanding than open herniotomy.

Perioperative management and post-operative course in preterm infants undergoing vitreo-retinal surgery for retinopathy of prematurity: A retrospective study

Background:

Premature infants scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia are more prone to cardio-respiratory complications. Risk factors include post-conception age (PCA), cardiac and respiratory disease, anemia and opioid administration. This retrospective study evaluates the perioperative management and post-operative course (apnea and bradycardia) in premature infants undergoing surgery for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Materials and Methods:

We analyzed the pre-operative data, anesthesia chart and post-operative course of 52 former premature infants for 56 general anesthesia exposures for ROP surgery.

Results:

At the time of procedure, median PCA was 51 (36-60) weeks. 71% of the infants were above 46 weeks of PCA. Five infants had cardiac disease and four had a history of convulsion. Four infants had a pre-operative history of apneic spells. The airway was secured with either endotracheal tube (46) or supraglottic device (10). Fentanyl (0.5-1 μg/kg), paracetamol, topical anesthetic drops and/or peribulbar block were administered for analgesia. Extubation was performed in the operating room for 54 cases. Three infants had apnea post-operatively. Seven infants were shifted to neonatal intensive care unit either for observation or due to delayed recovery, persistent apneic spells and pre-existing cardio-respiratory disease.

Conclusion:

In the present study, intravenous paracetamol and topical anesthetics reduced the total intra-operative opioid requirement, which resulted in low incidence of post-operative apnea. Regional anesthesia may be considered in infants with high risk of post-operative apnea. Infants with PCA > 42 weeks and without any co-morbidity can be managed in post-anesthesia care unit.

Postoperative apnea after inguinal hernia repair in formerly premature infants: impacts of gestational age, postconceptional age and comorbidities

PURPOSE

It is common practice for premature infants undergoing elective inguinal hernia (IH) repair to be hospitalized for postoperative apnea monitoring. This study evaluated the risk of apnea after IH repair with regard to gestational age (GA) and postconceptional age (PCA) in formerly premature infants.

METHODS

Formerly premature infants who had undergone elective IH repair between 01/2000 and 12/2012 were reviewed retrospectively in terms of GA, PCA, body weight, and comorbidities. All postoperative apneas were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 428 formerly premature infant charts were reviewed. Eleven babies had postoperative apnea. Infants younger than 45 weeks PCA were found more prone to develop postoperative apnea after IH repair. In older infants (PCA between 46 and 60 weeks), comorbidities create predisposition to apnea postoperatively. These comorbidities are bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis and former apnea episodes. Anemia and lower birth weight are also risk factors.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that low GA and PCA, low birth weight, anemia, and complicated past medical history affect respiratory complication rates, particularly apnea in formerly premature infants undergoing elective IH repair. Severe apneas occurred earlier than mild ones. Overnight monitoring is mandatory in small infants with low GA and PCA. Otherwise healthy, older infants may be operated on outpatient basis.

Common post-operative complications in children

The exact incidence of common post-operative complications in children is not known. Most common one is post-operative nausea and vomiting followed by respiratory complications leading to hypoxia. Cardiac complications are less in children without associated congenital cardiac anomaly. Post-operative shivering, agitation and delirium are seen more often in children anaesthetised with newer inhalational agents like sevoflurane and desflurane. Urinary retention in the post-operative period could be influenced by anaesthetic drugs and regional blocks. The purpose of this article is to review the literature and present to the postgraduate students comprehensive information about the current understanding and practice pattern on various common complications in the post-operative period. Extensive literature was searched with key words of various complications from Pubmed, Google scholar and specific journal, namely paediatric anaesthesia. The relevant articles, review article meta-analysis and editorials were the primary source of information for this article.

Assessment and management of inguinal hernia in infants

Inguinal hernia repair in infants is a routine surgical procedure. However, numerous issues, including timing of the repair, the need to explore the contralateral groin, use of laparoscopy, and anesthetic approach, remain unsettled. Given the lack of compelling data, consideration should be given to large, prospective, randomized controlled trials to determine best practices for the management of inguinal hernias in infants.

Overnight observation in former premature infants undergoing inguinal hernia repair

BACKGROUND

Overnight observation for apneic events is standard practice in former preterm infants. However, the literature supporting current protocols is dated. Therefore, we retrospectively evaluated the post-anesthetic risks in these patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on former preterm infants admitted after an inguinal herniorrhaphy between 1/00 and 10/09. The protocol for overnight admission was for patients born before 37 weeks gestation who are less than 60 weeks post-conceptional age (PCA).

RESULTS

There were 363 patients, of which 23 were <40 weeks PCA (group 1), 244 were 40 to 49.9 weeks PCA (group 2), and 96 were 50 to 60 weeks PCA (group 3). Events registered by alarms occurred in 4 patients (1.1%), 2 from group 1 and 2 from group 2. In Group 1, one occurred during nasogastric tube placement and resolved spontaneously. In group 2, one was apnea-induced bradycardia that resolved spontaneously, and one was in a patient on home monitors with an event similar to home reports. There were no events in group 3.

CONCLUSION

Conservative guidelines for overnight observation after inguinal hernia repair could be set for patients born before 37 weeks gestation who are under 50 weeks PCA.

A critical review of premature infants with inguinal hernias: optimal timing of repair, incarceration risk, and postoperative apnea

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

This study evaluated the optimal timing for repair, incarceration risk, and postoperative apnea rate in premature infants with inguinal hernias.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of premature infants undergoing inguinal hernia repairs from 2006 to 2008.

RESULTS

One hundred seventy-two patients were identified. Mean gestational age was 30.7 weeks, and mean birth weight was 1428 g. At repair, mean postconceptional age was 46.6 weeks with mean weight of 3688 g. Elective repairs were performed on 127 patients. Thirty-five patients were discharged with a known hernia, and none developed incarceration. No postoperative apnea episodes occurred in any of these 127 patients. Forty-five patients had herniorrhaphy before discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with a median postoperative hospitalization of 8 days (2-51 days). Thirteen percent required prolonged (>48 hours) intubation after repair. Of 172 patients, 8 (4.6%) developed incarcerated hernia. Five incarcerations occurred in the NICU before discharge, and 3 patients had incarceration as their initial presentation.

CONCLUSIONS

There is minimal risk of postoperative apnea for premature infants undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair. The risk of incarceration in premature infants discharged from the NICU with a known hernia is low. Herniorrhaphy before discharge from the NICU was associated with a prolonged hospital stay.

Diagnostic challenges and safety considerations in cochlear implantation under the age of 12 months

AIM

To review the current knowledge on cochlear implantation in infancy, regarding diagnostic, surgical and anesthetic challenges.

STUDY-DESIGN

Meta-analysis. EBM level: II.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Literature-review from Medline and database sources. Related books were also included.

STUDY SELECTION

Meta-analyses, prospective controlled studies, prospective/retrospective cohort studies, guidelines, review articles.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The diagnosis of profound hearing loss in infancy, although challenging, can be confirmed with acceptable certainty when objective measures (ABR, ASSR, OAEs) and behavioural assessments are combined in experienced centres. Reliable assessment of the prelexical domains of infant development is also important and feasible using appropriate evaluation techniques. Overall, 125 implanted infants were identified in the present meta-analysis; no major anesthetic complication was reported. The rate of surgical complications was found to be 8.8% (3.2% major complications) quite similar to the respective percentages in older implanted children (major complications ranging from 2.3% to 4.1%).

CONCLUSION

Assessment of hearing in infancy is feasible with adequate reliability. If parental expectations are realistic and hearing aid trial unsuccessful, cochlear implantation can be performed in otherwise healthy infants, provided that the attending pediatric anesthesiologist is considerably experienced and appropriate facilities of pediatric perioperative care are readily available. A number of concerns, with regard to anatomic constraints, existing co-morbidities or additional disorders, tuning difficulties, and special phases of the developing child should be also taken into account. The present meta-analysis did not find an increased rate of anesthetic or surgical complications in infant implantees, although long-term follow-up and large numbers are lacking.

Safety of percutaneous tendoachilles tenotomy performed under general anesthesia on infants with idiopathic clubfoot

BACKGROUND

Most patients with idiopathic clubfeet require a percutaneous tendoachilles tenotomy to correct residual equinus deformity. This procedure is typically performed with the child awake in an outpatient setting. Percutaneous tendoachilles tenotomy under general anesthesia offers the potential advantages of better pain control, the ability to perform the procedure in a more controlled manner, and the possibility of lessening the pain response of the infant. Potential disadvantages include concerns regarding the safety of general anesthesia in infants. The purpose of this study is to review the safety of this procedure performed in the operating room under general anesthesia.

METHODS

A retrospective review was carried out of patients with idiopathic clubfoot less than 1 year of age who underwent percutaneous tendoachilles tenotomy under general anesthesia from 2000 to 2008. Patient medical records were reviewed for gestational age, age at surgery, risk factors for anesthesia, and surgical/anesthesia-related complications. To be discharged on the day of surgery, patients met the accepted criteria. Children at risk for apnea were considered for overnight observation using established criteria of postconception age under 44 weeks, premature birth, pulmonary comorbidities, and history of an apneic event.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-seven patients underwent a total of 182 tenotomies under general anesthesia. Ninety-two tenotomies were unilateral, 45 were bilateral. The average postconception age at time of surgery was 53.9 weeks (range, 41 to 90 wk, SD 9.8 wk). Eighty-nine patients were under 3 months of age. Twenty-one patients (15.3%) met the criteria for the observation for postoperative monitoring for apnea because of postconception age under 44 weeks or gestational age under 37 weeks. Three patients were admitted overnight because of a maternal history of drug abuse. No patients had earlier apneic events or were American Society of Anesthesiologists Class III for comorbidities. No patient showed apnea or anesthesia-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous tendoachilles tenotomy under general anesthesia can be safely performed in infants with clubfeet. No complications related to anesthesia were identified in this group and nearly all patients were discharged on the day of surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic level 3.

Automated respiratory inductive plethysmography to evaluate breathing in infants at risk for postoperative apnea

PURPOSE

Although respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP) is the method of choice for the assessment of sleep disordered breathing, it has not been applied to the study of infants at risk for postoperative apnea (POA). The purpose of this study was to apply RIP to evaluate breathing in these infants. An additional purpose was to implement, simultaneously, three novel algorithms to detect movement artifact, respiratory pauses, and thoracoabdominal asynchrony, since their combined output both detects respiratory pauses and classifies them as obstructive or central in origin.

METHODS

A prospective study design was employed to record the analogue output of RIP, saturation, and finger plethysmography in a convenience sample of infants. The data record underwent a dual analysis: 1) automated detection of respiratory events; and 2) visual coding of the cardiorespiratory data. A novel index, coined pause density, was calculated as the sum of all respiratory pauses.

RESULTS

Twenty infants, whose mean postconceptional ages and weights were 44.47 +/- 2.88 weeks and 4.21 +/- 0.99 kg, respectively, were recruited. Data recording ranged from four to 24 hr. Ten infants (term = 5) experienced POA: central apnea = 5, mixed obstructive apnea = 6, and two former premature infants experienced both. Twenty-five central apneic events were detected, and the majority followed a sigh. Infants who experienced apnea also had high values of pause density.

CONCLUSION

Respiratory inductive plethysmography may provide a useful method to evaluate breathing in infants at risk for POA. The study of short respiratory pauses may prove useful in predicting apnea risk.

The frequency of apneas in premature infants after inguinal hernia repair: do they need overnight monitoring in the intensive care unit?

BACKGROUND

Postoperative apneas are reported in up to 49% of premature infants undergoing anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair. Our current practice is to monitor all of these babies in the intensive care unit (ICU) overnight after surgery. In addition to the considerable expense to the health care system, these cases are cancelled if no ICU bed is available.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of all premature infants undergoing inguinal hernia repairs over the past 5 years was undertaken. All postoperative apneas were identified. Potential risk factors were evaluated.

RESULTS

Five (4.7%) of 126 premature infants had apneas after inguinal hernia repair. All of these babies had a previous history of apneas. They also had lower weights both at birth (1.08 vs 1.73 kg) and at the time of surgery (3.37 vs 4.4 kg) as well as lower gestational ages (29 vs 32.3 weeks). They were much more likely to have a complicated past medical history. Markers for this included intraventricular hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and requirement for mechanical ventilation and supplemental oxygen after birth. The use of sevoflurane was the only anesthetic factor which had significance.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative apnea in premature infants after inguinal hernia repair using current anesthetic techniques is much less common than previously reported. Infants with prior history of apneas are at highest risk. Other risk factors appear to include gestational age, birth weight, weight at time of surgery, and a complicated neonatal course. Selective use of postoperative ICU monitoring for high-risk patients could result in significant resource and cost savings to the health care system.

Avoiding endotracheal intubation of neonates undergoing laser surgery for retinopathy of prematurity

OBJECTIVE

Respiratory support of neonates during and following laser surgery for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is commonly accomplished using endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. However, most patients undergoing ROP surgery have been weaned off mechanical ventilation days or weeks before the surgery. When they are electively re-intubated for ROP surgery, it can be difficult to extubate them postoperatively. One of the three level III neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the Intermountain Healthcare system initiated a program of using nasopharyngeal prongs, rather than endotracheal intubation, for respiratory support during ROP surgery.

METHODS

We performed an historic cohort analysis of all neonates undergoing ROP surgery during their NICU stay at the three level III NICU's between 1 January 2002 and 31 March 2006. Data collected included birth weight, gestational age at delivery and corrected gestational age at ROP surgery, whether or not they were intubated in the days immediately preceding the ROP surgery, whether or not they were electively intubated for the ROP surgery, the respiratory modality used during and the 3 days following ROP surgery, and all blood gas determinations and respiratory charges during this period.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients underwent ROP surgery during this period. All 23 from NICUs 'A' and 'B' had endotracheal intubation for surgery, while in NICU 'C' 24 were managed using nasopharyngeal prongs. The birth weights of those intubated for surgery (661+/-180 g, mean+/-s.d.) were similar to those not intubated (732+/-180 g). Similarly, the gestational age at birth did not differ between those intubated for surgery (25.2+/-1.3 week) and those not (25.6+/-2.1 week). The day following surgery, 77% (23/30) of those who had been intubated for surgery remained intubated and on mechanical ventilation, whereas only one (4%) of those not intubated for surgery was intubated in the postoperative period (P<0.001). On day 3 following surgery, 50% (15/30) of those intubated for surgery remained intubated and on mechanical ventilation, whereas none of those not intubated for surgery were intubated (P<0.001). Management with nasopharyngeal prongs did not result in higher PCO(2)s, or lower pH values, during or after surgery. Respiratory charges for the 3 days following surgery were 1762+/-678 dollars (mean+/-s.d.)/patient among those intubated versus 357+/-352 dollars/patient for those managed with nasopharyngeal prongs (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Neonates undergoing laser surgery for ROP can often be supported intraoperatively and postoperatively using nasopharyngeal prongs, thus avoiding the need for endotracheal intubation.

Current management of hernias and hydroceles

The repair of inguinal hernia and hydrocele is one of the most common operations in a pediatric surgery practice. This work reviews current concepts in the management of the inguinal hernia and hydrocele. The authors describe current concepts of anesthetic management of children undergoing repair of inguinal hernia. The authors also discuss current management of the contralateral hernia, hernias in premature infants, and the management of an incarcerated hernia. In addition, the authors discuss the role of laparoscopy in the surgical treatment of an inguinal hernia and its application for investigation of the contralateral inguinal canal.

Utilisation du citrate de caféine pour le traitement des apnées idiopathiques du prématuré dans les équipes françaises de médecine néonatale

Caffeine citrate is commonly used for prophylaxis and treatment of apnea in preterm babies.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of caffeine citrate in french neonatal units.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Postal survey in 100 neonatal units.

RESULTS

Answers were obtained from 81 units. Sixty-three units use systematic prophylactic treatment and the threshold of gestationnal age (weeks gestation) for this systematic treatment is 32 weeks. Caffeine citrate is administered as a loading dose of 20 mg/kg followed by a maintenance dose of 5 mg/kg in 95% of the units. Discontinuing the treatment occurs between 33 and 35 weeks in 37% of the units and between 35 and 37 weeks in 53%. Two third of neonatologits describe recurrent apnea beyond 37 weeks, with the need to continue treatment. Fourteen units sometimes discharge babies at home with ambulatory caffeine citrate treatment and discontinue treatment by 42 to 46 weeks'gestation. A mean duration of 5 days without apnea is required before discharge.

CONCLUSION

French teams respect "recommendations" concerning doses and duration without apnea before discharge. Indication of treatment, threshold for systematic treatment, duration of treatment and ambulatory treatment differ among teams.

The former preterm infant and risk of post-operative apnoea: recommendations for management

The preterm infant presenting for anaesthesia during the first 6 months of life is a major anaesthetic challenge. One of the most serious post-operative complications is apnoea with or without bradycardia. For this review, we conducted a search of the current literature in order to formulate a set of evidence-based clinical guidelines to help clinicians in the management of the former preterm infant to avoid post-operative apnoea. Only a small number of patients have been enrolled into prospective, randomized, controlled studies. Based on the current literature, regional anaesthesia is strongly recommended, preferably neuraxial block, but general anaesthesia is also used and in this setting, opioids and muscle relaxants should be avoided. Infants with a post-conceptual age of less than 46 weeks should be admitted for continuous monitoring for at least 12 h post-operatively. In infants with a post-conceptual age (PCA) between 46 and 60 weeks, a careful assessment of the child is mandatory and 12 h of respiratory monitoring is recommended if the patient's history reveals episodes of apnoea at home, chronic lung disease (CLD), neurological disease or anaemia. The otherwise healthy infant could be scheduled for theatre as the first patient on the list and subsequently monitored in the post-anaesthetic care unit for 6 h. The risk of apnoea in former preterm infants can be further reduced by the administration of intravenous caffeine (10 mg/kg). All of these patients should be referred to a tertiary centre for anaesthesia and surgery.

Six thousand three hundred sixty-one pediatric inguinal hernias: a 35-year review

PURPOSE

This study, by its mere size and uniformity (1 pediatric surgeon), aims to corroborate or refute the teachings and myths of the pediatric inguinal hernia.

METHODS

From July 1969 to January 2004, 6361 infants and children with inguinal hernias were seen, operated on, and followed by the senior author. A retrospective survey of their charts was carried out to evaluate the demographics and clinical aspects of these patients. The hospital's research ethics board approved of this study.

RESULTS

The ages ranged from premature to 18 years (mean age, 3.3 years) with a male-to female ratio of 5:1. There were 59% right, 29% left, and 12% bilateral hernias (almost all indirect). Hydroceles were found in 19%. Incarceration occurred in 12%. A modified Ferguson repair was used. An opposite-side hernia developed in 5%, 95% within the first 5 years, and was not sex or age specific. There were 1.2% recurrences, 96% within 5 years. Thirteen percent had ventriculo-peritoneal shunts, 1.2% wound infections, and 0.3% testicular atrophy. There were no postoperative deaths. One percent had a documented hernia disappearance.

CONCLUSIONS

Three of our results have not corresponded with previous teachings and myths: (1) a hernia of a premature baby should be fixed sooner than later; (2) routine contralateral groin exploration is not indicated in any situation; and (3) teenage recurrence rate is 4 times greater than the overall series.

Preanesthesia considerations for the nurse practitioner

With increases in pediatric ambulatory surgery, primary health care providers such as nurse practitioners are being called upon to provide input about patients preoperatively or prior to other procedures requiring anesthesia. Because the anesthesia team may not meet the patient and family until the day of surgery; a thorough evaluation done by the primary care provider can supply the anesthesia team with the information required for optimal care. Such information includes a detailed history, including the patient's birth history, medical diagnoses, medications, allergies, recent laboratory test values, and the results of a recent physical examination. The purpose of this article is to provide primary care nurse practitioners with guidelines and information to consider when seeing their patient for a preprocedural visit.

The distance from the skin to the subarachnoid space can be predicted in premature and formerpremature infants

PURPOSE

Spinal anesthesia can be technically challenging in young infants. We studied whether the distance between the skin and the lumbar subarachnoid space in premature and former-premature young infants could be predicted prior to lumbar puncture.

METHODS

The distance from skin entry point to tip of the spinal needle was measured using a caliper after lumbar spinal anesthesia at the L4-5 interspace. This distance was correlated to the patient's weight, postconceptual age and lumbar ultrasonographic measurement of the skin-to-subarachnoid space and predictive statistical models were sought.

RESULTS

Thirty-five premature or former-premature infants were studied. Three models were examined: all three independent variables, weight and postconceptual age only, and weight only. The model selected contained the weight and postconceptual age, because it had the highest value for adjusted R squared, as well as the lowest value for the mean squared error. Adding the ultrasonic measurement to the model worsened the results. The statistical model that described the depth of the subarachnoid space at the L4-5 level was Y = 13.19 + 0.0026 x W - 0.12 x PCA, where Y is the distance (mm) from the skin to the subarachnoid space, W is the patient's weight (g) and PCA is the postconceptual age (weeks). Adjusted R squared was 0.72, mean square error was 2.63 and P < 10(-9).

CONCLUSION

The distance between the skin and the subarachnoid space at the level of L4-5 interspace can be predicted using a statistical model based on the infant's weight and postconceptual age. Spinal ultrasound has no value in L4-5 subarachnoid space depth prediction.

Infant cochlear implantation and anesthetic risk

In light of the strong trends toward performing cochlear implantation in infants, it is necessary to consider anesthetic issues. Just as anesthetic risk may play an important role in surgical candidacy in the elderly population, anesthesia is also of special consideration in infants. Even healthy infants are known to be at increased risk for anesthetic complications; for this reason, most elective surgical procedures are not routinely done within the first year of life. Therefore, it is necessary to consider anesthetic issues when contemplating the use of cochlear implants in infants less than 12 months of age.

Anesthesia-related cardiac arrest in children. An update

The improvement in mortality rates for anesthetized children over the past 50 years reflects the many improvements that have been made in pediatric perioperative care. The modern pediatric anesthesiologist is better trained than the predecessors of half a century ago, and has a vastly improved arsenal of monitoring devices and anesthetic agents from which to choose. The modern pediatric perioperative environment is better equipped to meet the unique needs of children. Techniques practiced by surgeons, nurses, radiologists, and pharmacologists help create a far more sophisticated infrastructure than existed 50 years ago. Given these changes, it is not surprising that outcomes for patients have improved.

Spinal anesthesia in 62 premature, former-premature or young infants--technical aspects and pitfalls

PURPOSE

To highlight technical aspects and pitfalls of spinal anesthesia (SA) in infants.

METHODS

The medical history and perioperative course of all infants who underwent SA over a 28-month period were collected (retrospectively in the first 20).

RESULTS

Sixty-two infants underwent surgery under SA. Fifty-five were premature and former-premature, postconceptional age 43.3 +/- 5.0 weeks, weight 3261 +/- 1243 g. Of these, 21 had co-existing disease: cerebral (six), cardiac (nine), pulmonary (11) and urological (six). Hyperbaric tetracaine or bupivacaine 1 mg x kg(-1) with adrenaline was administered. Four infants (three premature) required N(2)O supplementation and three needed general anesthesia. The supplementation rate was similar or lower than in previous studies. Postoperatively, all seven were shown to have lower limb motor and sensory blockade. Complications in premature patients included intraoperative hypoxemia (two), apnea (two) and bradycardia (one). Postoperative complications included bradycardia (three), hypoxemia (one) and apnea and hypoxemia (one). The postoperative complication rate was similar to previous studies.

CONCLUSION

Successful SA in infants depends on close attention to preoperative assessment, appropriate patient positioning during and after lumbar puncture, drug dosing and intra- and postoperative cardiorespiratory monitoring. A relatively high dose of hyperbaric solution of tetracaine or bupivacaine with adrenaline should be administered.

An alternative for avoidance of general anaesthesia for infants when bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy outlasts subarachnoid blockade

Former premature infants represent a high risk surgical population. In order to minimize the risk of postoperative apnoea, subarachnoid blockade without sedation is known to be preferable to general anaesthesia for former premature infants undergoing bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy. However, subarachnoid blockade affords only a limited duration of reliable anaesthesia. Nonroutine surgical delays and technical difficulties cannot always be anticipated by the anaesthesiologist. When bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy outlasts the anticipated duration of subarachnoid blockade, the anaesthesiologist is confronted with a dilemma. Infants are unable to complain verbally, so the extent of subarachnoid blockade may be difficult to assess intraoperatively. Introduction of sedation or general anaesthesia under these circumstances increases the risk of postoperative apnoea, thereby defeating the purpose of the original choice of anaesthesia. Several alternatives have been proposed, but all involve disadvantages. In this report of two cases, a new solution to this clinical dilemma is presented.

Regional anesthesia in pediatrics

The use of regional anesthetic techniques in infants and children has become increasingly accepted as standard care. The most commonly performed regional anesthetic techniques used in pediatric patients are the caudal and lumbar approaches to the epidural space, ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric, and penile nerve blockade. These and other techniques are reviewed, along with specific issues such as risks, benefits, drug dosage, and local anesthetic toxicity. The safety of regional anesthetic techniques in pediatric patients is addressed, with recommendations for prevention and treatment of complications.