Effect of bilateral infraorbital nerve block on intraoperative anesthetic requirements, hemodynamics, glycemic levels, and extubation in infants undergoing cheiloplasty under general anesthesia

Rescue designs in analgesic trials from 0 to 2 years of age: scoping review

Pediatric analgesic trials are challenging, especially in newborns and infants. Following an FDA-academic consensus meeting, we analyzed pragmatic rescue designs in postoperative trials of local anesthetics, acetaminophen, opioids, and NSAIDs involving children ages 0-2 years and assessed surgical volumes to provide trial design recommendations. Searches of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were conducted. A scoping approach identified trends in analgesic trials with an emphasis on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) utilizing immediate rescue designs. Age-specific surgical volumes were estimated from French national databases. Of 3563 studies identified, 23 RCTs used study medication(s) of interest and immediate rescue paradigms in children ages 0-2 years. A total of 270 studies met at least one of these criteria. Add-on and head-to-head designs were common and often used sparing of non-opioid or opioid rescue medication as a primary outcome measure. According to French national data, inguinal and penile surgeries were most frequent in ages 1 month to 2 years; abdominal and thoracic surgeries comprise approximately 75% of newborn surgeries. Analgesic trials with rescue sparing paradigm are currently sparse among children ages 0-2 years. Future trials could consider age-specific surgical procedures and use of add-on or head-to-head designs. IMPACT: Clinical trials of analgesic medications have been challenging in pediatrics, especially in the group from newborns to 2 years of age. Following an FDA-academic workshop, we analyzed features of completed analgesic trials in this age group. Studies using immediate rescue in placebo control, add-on, and head-to-head trial designs are pragmatic approaches that can provide important information regarding clinical effectiveness, side effects, and safety. Using a French national dataset with a granular profile of inpatient, outpatient, and short-stay surgeries, we provide information to future investigators on relative frequencies of different operations in neonates and through the first 2 years of life.

Effects of bilateral transmucosal sphenopalatine ganglion block on intraoperative anesthetic requirements and recovery profile in children undergoing palatoplasty under general anesthesia

Background and Aims

Sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) given as injection provides excellent perioperative analgesia during palatoplasty. Our objectives were to assess the effect of transmucosal SPGB on anesthetic requirements, intraoperative hemodynamics, recovery time, and emergence delirium in children undergoing palatoplasty.

Material and Methods

This prospective, randomized study was conducted in 30 children with cleft palate undergoing palatoplasty, divided into two equal groups. After induction and intubation, patients in Group B received bilateral SPGB using cotton-tipped applicators soaked in 2% lignocaine, which were passed through both the nares, and the distal tip was positioned just superior to middle turbinate and anterior to pterygopalatine fossa and sphenopalatine ganglion. In Group C, saline-soaked cotton applicators were used. All patients received general anesthesia as per a standardized protocol. Intraoperative heart rate, mean arterial pressure, the requirement of anesthetics, extubation time, and emergence delirium were compared.

Results

Compared with Group C, patients in Group B had significantly lower sevoflurane consumption (17.2 ± 2.6 vs. 27.5 ± 5.0mL, P < 0.001) and fentanyl consumption (2.2 ± 0.5 vs. 3.2 ± 0.6 μ/kg, P < 0.001).The extubation time was significantly shorter in Group B (3.9 ± 0.7 vs. 9.5 ± 1.6 minutes, P < 0.001). PAED (Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium Scale) scores at 5and 10 minutes were significantly higher in Group C (P < 0.001). Intraoperative heart rate was significantly higher in Group C. Group C had significantly higher mean arterial pressure at 15, 60, and 75 minutes.

Conclusion

Preoperative, SPGB administered by mucosal application of local anesthetic significantly reduced sevoflurane and fentanyl requirements, with stable hemodynamics, quicker recovery, and less emergence delirium in children undergoing palatoplasty.

Case Report: Anesthetic Management and Electrical Cardiometry as Intensive Hemodynamic Monitoring During Cheiloplasty in an Infant With Enzyme-Replaced Pompe Disease and Preserved Preoperative Cardiac Function

Introduction: Pompe disease is caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid α-glucosidase, which results in cardiac and muscular complications that can jeopardize perioperative outcomes. We report a 4-month-old infant with Pompe disease receiving cheiloplasty under general anesthesia with the aid of peripheral nerve blocks and intensive hemodynamic monitoring. Case Description: This case report describes a 4-month-old full-term Taiwanese female infant who presented with left unilateral cleft lip and palate in the prenatal examination. She was diagnosed with infantile-onset Pompe disease after acidic α-glucosidase (GAA) gene sequencing. She also received enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) 15 days after birth and regular ERT every other week. Cheiloplasty was performed under general anesthesia uneventfully, and peripheral nerve blocks were adopted for analgesia. Intensive hemodynamic monitoring using electrical cardiometry technology (ICON^®) and pulse contour analysis (FloTrac system) were applied during the operation. No adverse effects were observed, and the wound healed well. Therefore, the patient was discharged 4 days after surgery. Conclusion: With the availability of ERT, severe organ dysfunction in infantile-onset Pompe disease patients is no longer common. However, moderate cardiac depression can still occur while increasing inspiratory pressure and deepening the anesthesia level despite a normal preoperative echocardiogram report. Therefore, careful, gradual titration is desirable. Furthermore, electrical cardiometry can detect hemodynamic changes more instantaneously and reliably than pulse contour analysis. In addition, we suggest taking advantage of the peripheral nerve block as a part of balanced anesthesia to alleviate the cardiac suppression caused by general anesthesia.