Lung and airway ultrasound in pediatric anesthesia

POCUS in the PICU: A Narrative Review of Evidence-Based Bedside Ultrasound Techniques Ready for Prime-Time in Pediatric Critical Care

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an accessible technology that can identify and treat life-threatening pathology in real time without exposing children to ionizing radiation. We aim to review current evidence supporting the use of POCUS by pediatric intensivists with novice-level experience with bedside ultrasound. Current evidence supports the universal adoption of POCUS-guided internal jugular venous catheter placement and arterial line placement by pediatric critical care physicians. Focused cardiac ultrasound performed by PICU physicians who have completed appropriate training with quality assurance measures in place can identify life-threatening cardiac pathology in most children and important physiological changes in children with septic shock. POCUS of the lungs, pleural space, and diaphragm have great potential to provide valuable information at the bedside after validation of these techniques for use in the PICU with additional research. Based on currently available evidence, a generalizable and attainable POCUS educational platform for pediatric intensivists should include training in vascular access techniques and focused cardiac examination. A POCUS educational program should strive to establish credentialing and quality assurance programs that can be expanded when additional research validates the adoption of additional POCUS techniques by pediatric intensive care physicians.

Feasibility of lung ultrasound for locating bronchial blockers in pediatric thoracic surgery: a retrospective analysis

OBJECTIVE

To identify the feasibility of using lung ultrasound to determine the position of bronchial blockers in pediatric patients.

METHODS

In this study, children aged 4-8 years who underwent elective right one-lung ventilation at our hospital between January 2019 and August 2022 were selected. We collected the results of lung ultrasound and fiberoptic bronchoscopy during the placement of bronchial blockers in these children. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of lung ultrasound in determining the position of bronchial blockers were calculated. Additionally, the reproducibility of lung ultrasound in determining the appropriateness of bronchial blockers was also calculated. Furthermore, information regarding whether there were complications associated with lung ultrasound examination or fiberoptic bronchoscopy was also collected.

RESULTS

The accuracy of lung ultrasound for determining the position of bronchial blockers was 95.0%. When the position of BBs was appropriate, the sensitivity of lung ultrasound was 96.3% and the specificity was 88.9%. When the position of BBs was too shallow, the sensitivity of lung ultrasound was 75% and the specificity was 96.7%. The reproducibility test of lung ultrasound for determining the position of bronchial blockers had a weighted kappa value of 0.91, P < 0.001. In this study we found 6 children had hypoxemia and 6 children had airway mucosal bleeding during fiberoptic bronchoscopy. And no complications linked to lung ultrasound examination were observed.

CONCLUSION

Lung ultrasound has high accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and repeatability in determining the position of bronchial blockers. It is a new and safe method to determine the position of bronchial blockers.

Minimal Access in Pediatric Surgery: An Overview on Progress towards Dedicated Instrument Developments and Anesthesiologic Advances to Enhance Safe Completion of Procedures

Surgical techniques are evolving in Pediatric Surgery, especially in the area of minimal access surgery (MAS) where indications for applications are expanding. Miniaturization of instruments, using natural orifices, single incisions, or remotely controlled robot-assisted procedures, promises to increase the benefits of MAS procedures in pediatrics. Many pediatric pathologies are rare, and specialized surgical and anesthesiologic instruments are necessary to manage them, defined as "orphan devices", for which development and dissemination on the market are slowed down or sometimes hindered by regulatory standards and limiting financial conflicts of interest. In pediatric surgery, it is of utmost importance to work in a multidisciplinary way to offer a surgical path that is safe and supported by technological advances. For this reason, optimizing pediatric anesthesia is also a crucial factor where technological advances have made monitoring more precise, thereby enhancing safety in the operative room. The development of customized instruments and technologies should be supported by pediatric research and should be adapted to the individualities of the small patient. This overview outlines the importance of dedicated instruments developed for the safe completion of MAS procedures in pediatrics.

Point-of-care ultrasound in pediatric anesthesiology: considerations for training and credentialing

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To discuss considerations surrounding the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in pediatric anesthesiology.

RECENT FINDINGS

POCUS is an indispensable tool in various medical specialties, including pediatric anesthesiology. Credentialing for POCUS should be considered to ensure that practitioners are able to acquire images, interpret them correctly, and use ultrasound to guide procedures safely and effectively. In the absence of formal guidelines for anesthesiology, current practice and oversight varies by institution. In this review, we will explore the significance of POCUS in pediatric anesthesiology, discuss credentialing, and compare the specific requirements and challenges currently associated with using POCUS in pediatric anesthesia.

SUMMARY

Point-of-care ultrasound is being utilized by the pediatric anesthesiologist and has the potential to improve patient assessment, procedure guidance, and decision-making. Guidelines increase standardization and quality assurance procedures help maintain high-quality data. Credentialing standards for POCUS in pediatric anesthesiology are essential to ensure that practitioners have the necessary skills and knowledge to use this technology effectively and safely. Currently, there are no national pediatric POCUS guidelines to base credentialing processes on for pediatric anesthesia practices. Further work directed at establishing pediatric-specific curriculum goals and competency standards are needed to train current and future pediatric anesthesia providers and increase overall acceptance of POCUS use.

Airway Management in Pediatric Patients: Cuff-Solved Problem?

Traditionally, uncuffed tubes were used in pediatric patients under 8 years in pursuit of reducing the risk of postextubation stridor. Although computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies confirmed that the subglottic area remains the narrowest part of pediatric airway, the use of uncuffed tubes failed to reduce the risk of subglottic swelling. Properly used cuffed tubes (correct size and correct cuff management) are currently recommended as the first option in emergency, anesthesiology and intensive care in all pediatric patients. Clinical practice particularly in the intensive care area remains variable. This review aims to analyze the current recommendation for airway management in children in emergency, anesthesiology and intensive care settings.