Experience of intravenous sedation for pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy in a large tertiary referral center in a developing country

Continuous infusion of lidocaine in pediatric colonoscopy: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Propofol is commonly used for providing procedural sedation during pediatric colonoscopy. Intravenous (i.v.) lidocaine can mitigate visceral pain and reduce propofol requirements during surgery. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of i.v. lidocaine on perioperative propofol and sufentanil dose, pulse oxygen saturation, postoperative pain score, and recovery time during pediatric colonoscopy.

METHODS

We designed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study and enrolled 40 children aged from 3 to 10 years who underwent colonoscopy. After titration of propofol to achieve unconsciousness, the patients were given i.v. lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg later 2 mg/kg^/hour) or the same volume of saline. Sedation was standardized and combined propofol with sufentanil. The primary outcome variables were intraoperative propofol and sufentanil requirements, and the number of oxygen desaturation episodes. Secondary outcome variables were recovery time after colonoscopy and post-colonoscopy pain.

RESULTS

Lidocaine infusion resulted in a significant reduction in propofol requirements: (median (quartile) 1.8 (1.5-2.0) vs. 3.0 (2.8-3.3) mg/kg respectively; P < 0.001) and sufentanil requirements: (median (quartile) 0.06 (0.05-0.08) vs. 0.1 (0.1-0.1) μg/kg respectively; P < 0.001). The number of subjects who experienced oxygen desaturation below 95% in the lidocaine group was also significantly less than that in the control group: 1 vs. 6 (P = 0.04). The mean (SD) recovery time was significantly shorter in the lidocaine group: (19.2 (2.6) vs. 13.3 (2.6) min respectively; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in post-colonoscopy pain.

CONCLUSION

Continuous infusion of lidocaine resulted in reduction of propofol and sufentanil requirements, recovery time, and risk of hypoxemia during pediatric colonoscopy.

The use and safety of intramuscular midazolam during in-office botulinum toxin injections in pediatric patients

PURPOSE

Pediatric outpatient procedures can be traumatic experiences for patients. This retrospective study, evaluates intramuscular midazolam as a safe option for anxiolysis during spasticity management injections.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of 72 patients from a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital Outpatient Clinic. One hundred and twenty injections were administered over two years by a single practitioner. Comorbidities included asthma, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive disease, and epilepsy. Duration of sedation, safety of midazolam as determined through the use of the REACT (Respiration, Energy, Alertness, Circulation, Temperature) score, and frequency of side effects (prolonged sedation, breakthrough crying, medication reversal, and emergent evaluation) were recorded. A student's t test evaluated the relationship between the above comorbidities and duration of sedation.

RESULTS

The average duration of sedation was 29 minutes (95% CI 26.51-31.35) with an average dose of midazolam of 0.20 mg/kg (95% CI 0.9-0.21). None of the subjects required medication reversal or emergent evaluation. 39% of the patients had prolonged sedation (> 30 minutes after medication administration), 22% had breakthrough crying, and 0% had respiratory events requiring oxygen, intubation or an emergency evaluation. No statistical significance found between the comorbidities and duration of sedation.

CONCLUSION

Intramuscular midazolam is a possible effective anxiolytic medication strategy for outpatient pediatric injections. Additional studies are needed to ensure its safety and efficacy.

Safety of Propofol versus Nonpropofol-Based Sedation in Children Undergoing Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The majority of children who undergo gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy require anesthesia or procedural sedation for comfort, cooperation, and procedure efficiency. The safety profile of propofol is not well established in children but has been studied in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the safety of propofol-only sedation for GI endoscopy procedures to other anesthetic regimes in the pediatric population.

METHODS

A search was conducted in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Randomized clinical trials and prospective cohorts were included in the study.

RESULTS

No significant difference was noted in total complications between the two cohorts with a pooled OR of 1.31 (95% CI: 0.57-3.04, chi2 = 0.053, I2 = 54.31%). The pooled rate of complications in the studies was 23.4% for those receiving propofol only and 18.2% for those receiving other anesthetic regimens. Sensitivity analysis was performed removing a study with a very different control comparison compared to the rest of the studies included. Once excluded, there was minimal heterogeneity in the remaining studies and a significant difference in overall complications was detected, with more complications seen in the propofol-only group compared to the other anesthetic groups (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.09-3.20).

CONCLUSION

Significantly higher incidence of cardiorespiratory complications was noted in the propofol-only versus other anesthetic regimens in pediatric patients undergoing GI endoscopy in this meta-analysis. However, the overall quality of the evidence is very low.

HOW TO APPLY THIS KNOWLEDGE FOR ROUTINE CLINICAL PRACTICE

Clinicians providing sedation to a pediatric population for GI endoscopy should consider there may be increased risks when using a propofol-only regimen, but further study is needed.

Study to determine guidelines for pediatric colonoscopy

AIM

To investigated characteristics, diagnosis, bowel-cleansing preparation, sedation, and colonoscope length and diameter in Japanese pediatric patients receiving total colonoscopy.

METHODS

The present study evaluated consecutive patients aged ≤ 15 years who had undergone their first colonoscopy in Kurume University between January 2007 and February 2015. Data were retrospectively analyzed. We identified 110 pediatric patients who had undergone colonoscopy that had reached the cecum, allowing the observation of the total colon.

RESULTS

Hematochezia, abdominal pain, and diarrhea were the most common symptoms. For bowel-cleansing preparation, pediatric patients aged ≤ 12 years were treated with magnesium citrate, and patients aged 13-15 years were treated with polyethylene glycol 4000. For sedation, thiamylal with pentazocine, which has an analgesic effect, was used in patients aged ≤ 6 years, and midazolam with pentazocine was used in patients aged ≥ 7 years. Regarding the choice of endoscope, short and thin endoscopes were selected for younger patients, particularly patients aged ≤ 3 years. Positive diagnoses were made in 78 patients (70.9%). Inflammatory bowel disease (n = 49, 44.5%), including ulcerative colitis (n = 37, 33.6%) and Crohn’s disease (n = 12, 10.9%), was the most common diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Colonoscopy offers a high diagnostic capability for pediatric patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. The selection of appropriate management the performance of colonoscopy is important in pediatric patients.

Successful Endosonography-Guided Drainage of an Intra-Abdominal Abscess in a 1-Year-Old Infant

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided intervention has been established as a safe, effective and minimally invasive procedure for various diseases in adults, but there have been limited reports in pediatric patients. Herein, we report our experience with successful EUS-guided drainage of an intra-abdominal abscess in a 1-year-old infant concomitant with disseminated intravascular coagulation. The abscess was punctured via the stomach using a standard, convex-type echoendoscope, and the patient’s condition improved after naso-cystic catheter placement. Although the clinical course was complicated by delayed hemorrhage from the puncture site, the bleeding was successfully managed by endoscopic hemostasis using a standard forward-viewing endoscope.

Prevalence and Predictors of Adverse Events during Procedural Sedation Anesthesia-Outside the Operating Room for Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and Colonoscopy in Children: Age Is an Independent Predictor of Outcomes

OBJECTIVES

Procedural sedation/anesthesia outside the operating room for a variety of procedures is well described with an overall low adverse event rate in certain settings. Adverse event associated with procedural sedation/anesthesia outside the operating room for gastrointestinal procedures have been described, albeit in small, single-center studies with wide variance in outcomes. Predictors of such outcomes are unclear. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of adverse event in children undergoing procedural sedation/anesthesia outside the operating room for esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, or both to identify predictors of adverse event.

DESIGN/SETTING/PATIENTS

Retrospective analysis of Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium database, a large data repository of pediatric patients aged 21 years old or younger undergoing procedural sedation/anesthesia outside the operating room during September 2007 to November 2011. Twenty-two of the 40 centers provided data pertaining to the procedure of interest.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Primary outcome variable is any adverse event. Independent variables include: age (five groups), sex, American Societyof Anaesthesiologists status, procedure (esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, or both), provider responsible, medication used, location, and presence of coexisting medical conditions. Descriptive statistics used to summarize the data. Using multivariablelogistic regression model, odds ratio, 95% CI) were computed. A total of 12,030 procedures were performed (esophagogastroduodenoscopy, 7,970; colonoscopy, 1,378; and both, 2,682). A total of 96.9% of patients received propofol. Eighty-three percent were performed in a sedation unit. Prevalence of adverse event was 4.8%. The most common adverse event were persistent desaturations (1.5%), airway obstruction (1%), cough (0.9%), and laryngospasm (0.6%). No deaths or CPR occurred. Infants and children aged 5 years old or younger had a higher adverse event rate than older children (15.8%, 7.8% vs 4%). Regression analysis revealed age 5 years old or younger, American Society of Anaesthesiologists greater than or equal to 2, esophagogastroduodenoscopy ± colonoscopy, and coexisting medical conditions of obesity and lower airway disease were independent predictors of higher adverse event.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall prevalence of any adverse event was 4.8%. Independent predictors of adverse events in procedural sedation/anesthesia outside the operating room in pediatric esophagogastroduodenoscopy/colonoscopy onoscopy were identified. Recognition of such risk factors may enable optimization of procedural sedation.

Registered nurse-administered sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure

The rising use of nonanesthesiologist-administered sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy has clinical significances. Most endoscopic patients require some forms of sedation and/or anesthesia. The goals of this sedation are to guard the patient's safety, minimize physical discomfort, to control behavior and to diminish psychological responses. Generally, moderate sedation for these procedures has been offered by the non-anesthesiologist by using benzodiazepines and/or opioids. Anesthesiologists and non-anesthesiologist personnel will need to work together for these challenges and for safety of the patients. The sedation training courses including clinical skills and knowledge are necessary for the registered nurses to facilitate the patient safety and the successful procedure. However, appropriate patient selection and preparation, adequate monitoring and regular training will ensure that the use of nurse-administered sedation is a feasible and safe technique for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures.

The safety of propofol sedation for elective nonintubated esophagogastroduodenoscopy in pediatric patients

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the safety of deep sedation provided by pediatric intensivists for elective nonintubated esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

SETTING

The sedation program at the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

PATIENTS

A 4-year retrospective analysis was done on all outpatient elective pediatric esophagogastroduodenoscopy procedures performed in an intensivist run sedation program. Safety was examined by reviewing the occurrence of minor and major adverse effects during esophagogastroduodenoscopy sedation. Interventions were studied and reported.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

During the study period, 12,447 sedations were performed by the pediatric sedation program for various procedures. Two thousand one hundred forty-seven patients received 2,325 sedations (18.6%) for esophagogastroduodenoscopies performed for various indications. During the same time period, 53 (one for every 40 esophagogastroduodenoscopy sedations) were screened, found unsuitable for nonintubated sedation, and referred for general anesthesia. There were 2,254 sedations with propofol, 65 methohexital, five ketamine, and one fentanyl/midazolam sedation. Propofol sedation proved safe with a 2.1% prevalence of minor adverse events and no major events. Methohexital, on the other hand, had higher rate (p < 0.001) of minor events and one patient developed an anaphylactic reaction to its use. Regression analysis showed that other sedative agents were 8.6 times more likely to be associated with complications than propofol (odds ratio, 8.6; 95% CI, 4.1-18.2; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that deep sedation for elective esophagogastroduodenoscopies can be provided safely in the appropriately screened patient by nonanesthesiologist physicians in a sedation program. These data suggest that propofol is a safe and effective agent for esophagogastroduodenoscopy sedation.

Adverse events related to gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures in pediatric patients under anesthesia care and a predictive risk model (AEGEP Study)

BACKGROUND

Multiple studies have analyzed perioperative factors related to adverse events (AEs) in children who require gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures (GEP) in settings where deep sedation is the preferred anesthetic technique over general anesthesia (GA) but not for the opposite case.

METHODS

We reviewed our anesthesia institutional database, seeking children less than 12 years who underwent GEP over a 5-year period. A logistic regression was used to determine significant associations between preoperative conditions, characteristics of the procedure, airway management, anesthetic approaches and the presence of serious and non-serious AEs.

RESULTS

GA was preferred over deep sedation [77.8% vs. 22.2% in 2178 GEP under anesthesia care (n=1742)]. We found 96 AEs reported in 77 patients, including hypoxemia (1.82%), bronchospasm (1.14%) and laryngospasm (0.91%) as the most frequent. There were 2 cases of severe bradycardia related to laryngospasm/hypoxemia and a case of aspiration resulting in unplanned hospitalization, but there were no cases of intra- or postoperative deaths. Final predictive model for perioperative AEs included age <1 year, upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) <1 week prior to the procedure and low weight for the age (LWA) as independent risk factors and ventilation by facial mask as a protector against these events (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

AEs are infrequent and severe ones are remote in a setting where AG is preferred over deep sedation. Ventilatory AEs are the most frequent and depend on biometrical and comorbid conditions more than anesthetic drugs chosen. Age <1 year, history of URTI in the week prior to the procedure and LWA work as independent risk factors for AEs in these patients.

Anesthesia and sedation outside the operating room

The volume of pediatric invasive and noninvasive procedures outside the operating room continues to increase. The acuity and complexity of patient clinical condition has resulted in the expansion of the anesthesiologist's role in remote sites. The anesthesia provider must ensure patient safety by assuring appropriate patient preparation, having available required equipment for monitoring and rescue, planning careful sedation/anesthesia management, continuing vigilance and observation into the recovery phase, and requiring strict discharge criteria. A quality improvement program for the department of anesthesiology should review anesthetic and sedation outcomes of patients both inside and outside the operating room.

Use of animated cartoons with children's songs to increase compliance with ultrasonography in young children

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of animated cartoons with children's songs to increase compliance with ultrasonography (US) examination in young children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Animated cartoons with children's songs viewed on a cell phone were played just before the start of US examination when pediatric patients were agitated or irritable. The effect of this method was evaluated for initial responses and sustained responses (grade 0, no response; 1, partial response; and 2, good response). Site of US examination, scan duration, and the helpfulness of this method (0, useless; 1, partially helpful; and 2, very helpful) were also recorded.

RESULTS

Among 464 pediatric patients who underwent US during the study period, 88 children (19%) needed to be calmed (67 abdominal and 21 other parts of the body). All subjects were less than five years of age (mean 1.5 years), except for four patients with mental retardation. Scan duration was less than 5 minutes in almost all examinations. Five children refused to watch the cartoon. Initial responses were good in 75 and partial in eight children. Sustained responses were good in 70 and partial in 12 children. The cartoons were very helpful in 73 (83%) and partially helpful in nine (10%) children. The effect of watching the cartoon did not change with sex, age (less or more than one year), or site of examination.

CONCLUSION

Animated cartoons with children's songs viewed on a cell phone were helpful (93%) in increasing compliance with US examination in young children of both the abdomen and other parts.

Sedation and monitoring for gastrointestinal endoscopy

The safe sedation of patients for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures requires a combination of properly trained physicians and suitable facilities. Additionally, appropriate selection and preparation of patients, suitable sedative technique, application of drugs, adequate monitoring, and proper recovery of patients is essential. The goal of procedural sedation is the safe and effective control of pain and anxiety as well as to provide an appropriate degree of memory loss or decreased awareness. Sedation practices for gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIE) vary widely. The majority of GIE patients are ambulatory cases. Most of this procedure requires a short time. So, short acting, rapid onset drugs with little adverse effects and improved safety profiles are commonly used. The present review focuses on commonly used regimens and monitoring practices in GIE sedation. This article is to discuss the decision making process used to determine appropriate pre-sedation assessment, monitoring, drug selection, dose of sedative agents, sedation endpoint and post-sedation care. It also reviews the current status of sedation and monitoring for GIE procedures in Thailand.

A comparison of fentanyl with tramadol during propofol-based deep sedation for pediatric upper endoscopy

AIM

This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of tramadol with those of fentanyl and to evaluate the impact of age in pediatric patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE).

METHODS

Eighty patients with ASA I-II, aged 1-16 years, undergoing UGIE were included in this study. Baseline anesthesia was maintained with 1 mg·kg(-1) propofol, and then, the patients were randomly assigned to receive 2 μg·kg(-1) fentanyl (group F, n = 40) or 2 mg·kg(-1) tramadol (group T, n = 40). Additional propofol, 0.5-1 mg·kg(-1), was administered when needed. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), and sedation scores were recorded at baseline, induction, and every 5 min. Endoscopy duration, recovery time, and adverse effects were recorded. The data were separated for subgroup analyses based on the age of 0-2, 2-12, and over 12 years.

RESULTS

Fentanyl significantly decreased the saturation at induction, 5th min and 10th min in patients of 0-2 years; at 5th and 10th min in 2-12 years; and at 5th min in >12 years. In all age subgroups, sedation scores at 10th, 15th, and 20th min, the overall frequency of adverse effects, and the recovery time were significantly lower in group T compared with group F.

CONCLUSION

Tramadol in pediatric patients undergoing UGIE provided sedation as efficient as fentanyl with a better hemodynamic and respiratory stability and provided a superior safety and tolerance in younger children.

Deep sedation for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a comparison between clinical assessment and Narcotrend(TM) monitoring

INTRODUCTION

Moderate to deep sedation is generally used for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The depth of sedation is usually judged by clinical assessment and electroencephalography-guided monitoring. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of clinical assessment and Narcotrend(TM) monitoring during deep-sedated ERCP.

METHODS

One hundred patients who underwent ERCP in a single year were randomly assigned to either group C or group N. Patients in group C (52) were sedated using the Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (MOAA/S) scale. Patients in group N (48) were sedated using the Narcotrend(TM) system. The MOAA/S scale 1 or 2 and the Narcotrend(TM) index 47-56 to 57-64 were maintained during the procedure. The primary outcome variable of the study was the successful completion of the endoscopic procedure. The secondary outcome variables were the total dose of propofol used during the procedure, complications during and immediately after procedure, and recovery time.

RESULTS

All endoscopies were completed successfully. The mean total dose of propofol in group C was significantly lower than that in group N. However, the mean dose of propofol, expressed as dose/kg or dose/kg/h in both groups, was not significantly different (P = 0.497, 0.136). Recovery time, patient tolerance and satisfaction, and endoscopist satisfaction were comparable between the two groups. All sedation-related adverse events during and immediately after the procedure, such as hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, bradycardia, transient hypoxia, and upper airway obstruction, in group C (62.2%) were significantly higher than in group N (37.5%) (P = 0.028).

CONCLUSION

Clinical assessment and Narcotrend(TM)-guided sedation using propofol for deep sedation demonstrated comparable propofol dose and recovery time. Both monitoring systems were equally safe and effective. However, the Narcotrend(TM)-guided sedation showed lower hemodynamic changes and fewer complications compared with the clinical assessment-guided sedation.

Clinical effectiveness of an anesthesiologist-administered intravenous sedation outside of the main operating room for pediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Thailand

Objectives. To review our sedation practice and to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of an anesthesiologist-administered intravenous sedation outside of the main operating room for pediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) in Thailand. Subjects and Methods. We undertook a retrospective review of the sedation service records of pediatric patients who underwent UGIE. All endoscopies were performed by a pediatric gastroenterologist. All sedation was administered by staff anesthesiologist or anesthetic personnel. Results. A total of 168 patients (94 boys and 74 girls), with age from 4 months to 12 years, underwent 176 UGIE procedures. Of these, 142 UGIE procedures were performed with intravenous sedation (IVS). The mean sedation time was 23.2 +/- 10.0 minutes. Propofol was the most common sedative drugs used. Mean dose of propofol, midazolam and fentanyl was 10.0 +/- 7.5 mg/kg/hr, 0.2 +/- 0.2 mg/kg/hr, and 2.5 +/- 1.2 mcg/kg/hr, respectively. Complications relatively occurred frequently. All sedations were successful. However, two patients became more deeply than intended and required unplanned endotracheal intubation. Conclusion. The study shows the clinical effectiveness of an anesthesiologist-administered IVS outside of the main operating room for pediatric UGIE in Thailand. All complications are relatively high. We recommend the use of more sensitive equipments such as end tidal CO(2) and carefully select more appropriate patients.