Simulation in pediatric anesthesiology: current state and visions for the future.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Simulation is a well established practice in medicine. This review reflects upon the role of simulation in pediatric anesthesiology in three parts: training anesthesiologists to care for pediatric patients safely and effectively; evaluating and improving systems of care for children; and visions for the future. RECENT FINDINGS: Simulation continues to prove a useful modality to educate both novice and experienced clinicians in the perioperative care of infants and children. It is also a powerful tool to help analyze and improve upon how care is provided to infants and children. Advances in technology and computational power now allow for a greater than ever degree of innovation, accessibility, and focused reflection and debriefing, with an exciting outlook for promising advances in the near future. SUMMARY: Simulation plays a key role in developing and achieving peak performance in the perioperative care of infants and children. Although simulation already has a great impact, its full potential is yet to be harnessed.

Benefit of epidural analgesia for postoperative pain control after a Kasai Portoenterostomy: A ten-year retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Biliary atresia is a rare obstructive cholangiopathy that presents in infants. The Kasai portoenterostomy procedure, which reestablishes biliary drainage into the intestine, is a surgical procedure that has been found to improve survival with the native liver. The options for postoperative analgesia include systemic opioids and epidural analgesia. The primary objective of this study was to compare the postoperative systemic opioids used in morphine equivalents (mg/kg) on postoperative days 0 through 3 between patients who underwent a Kasai portoenterostomy and received a thoracic epidural infusion to those without thoracic epidural analgesia. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 91 infants with biliary atresia undergoing a Kasai portoenterostomy between January 1, 2009, and September 1, 2019, at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. RESULTS: Sixty-three of the 91 patients (69%) had a continuous epidural catheter placed intraoperatively for postoperative analgesia. The total opioid requirement (morphine equivalents) for the first 72 h in the epidural group of (Mean (95% confidence interval): 0.52 mg/kg (0.38, 0.67 mg/kg) was lower than the non-epidural group (Mean (95% confidence interval): 1.15 mg/kg (0.8, 1.48 mg//kg) for a difference in mean opioid requirement (95% confidence interval) of 0.63 mg/kg (0.32, 0.94 mg/kg). Patients in the non-epidural group had higher rates of unplanned ICU admissions (36% non-epidural group vs. 3.3% epidural group, difference in proportion (95% confidence interval) 32.7% (13, 52%), p < .01). A higher percentage of patients in the non-epidural group had a postoperative oxygen requirement (32.1% vs. 11.3%, difference in proportion (95% confidence interval) 21% (2, 40%), p = .02). CONCLUSION: In our cohort study, continuous thoracic epidural analgesia in patients undergoing a Kasai portoenterostomy was associated with lower postoperative opioid use. We also observed that the epidural group had a lower ICU admission rate and a lower rate of postoperative supplemental oxygen requirement over the first three postoperative days.

An Advanced Boot Camp for Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellows.

BACKGROUND: Managing pediatric crises necessitates the acquisition of unique skills and confidence in its execution. Our aim was to develop and assess a curriculum based on the constructivist learning environment to enhance learning, orientation, and preparation of graduating pediatric anesthesiology fellows. METHODS: Fifty pediatric anesthesiology fellows from 9 academic institutions in the United States were recruited for an advanced boot camp over a 2-year period. Training stations were developed using high-fidelity simulation, standardized patients, self-reflection modules, and facilitated discussions. The curriculum was evaluated using an anonymous survey that assessed knowledge, self-confidence, appropriateness of case-scenario complexity, and usefulness for transitioning into an independent practitioner on a Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Data points were expressed as the median and interquartile range (IQR). RESULTS: Ninety-eight percent of the fellows completed a survey. Fellow perceptions of the advanced boot camp was positive. The median scores (IQR) for knowledge, self-confidence, appropriateness of case complexity, and usefulness for transition in 2017 were 5 (3,5), 4.5 (3,5), 5 (3,5), and 5 (3,5), respectively, and 5 (3,5), 4.5 (3,5), 5 (4,5), and 5 (3,5), respectively, in 2018. The IQR in the assessment for an appropriate level of complexity for their level of training, narrowed in 2018 (4,5), when compared with 2017 (3,5). CONCLUSIONS: Fellow responses support the idea that the advanced boot camp provided tools and strategies for their transition. A narrowed IQR regarding the appropriate level of complexity of scenarios in 2018, when compared with 2017, might suggest an improvement in the curriculum.

Exhaled nitric oxide measurement before pediatric adenotonsillectomy: A feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is a known biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of bronchial hyperreactivity in adults and children. AIMS: To investigate the potential role of eNO measurement for predicting perioperative respiratory adverse events in children, we sought to determine its feasibility and acceptability before adenotonsillectomy. METHODS: We attempted eNO testing in children, 4-12 years of age, immediately prior to admission for outpatient adenotonsillectomy. We used correlations between eNO levels and postoperative adverse respiratory events to make sample size predictions for future studies that address the predictability of the device. RESULTS: One hundred and three (53%) of 192 children were able to provide an eNO sample. The success rate increased with age from 23% (9%-38%) at age 4 to over 85% (54%-98%) after age 9. Using the eNO normal value (<20 ppb) as a cutoff, an expected sample size to detect a significant difference between children with and without adverse events is 868, assuming that respiratory adverse events occur in 29% of children. CONCLUSIONS: eNO testing on the day of surgery has limited feasibility in children younger than 7 years of age. The most common reason for failure was inadequate physical performance while interacting with the testing device. The role of this respiratory biomarker in the context of perioperative outcomes for pediatric adenotonsillectomy remains unknown and should be further studied with improved technologies.

Just-in-Time Simulation to Guide Workflow Design for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Difficult Airway Management.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has required that hospitals rapidly adapt workflows and processes to limit disease spread and optimize the care of critically ill children. DESIGN AND SETTING: As part of our institution's coronavirus disease 2019 critical care workflow design process, we developed and conducted a number of simulation exercises, increasing in complexity, progressing to intubation wearing personal protective equipment, and culminating in activation of our difficult airway team for an airway emergency. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: In situ simulations were used to identify and rework potential failure points to generate guidance for optimal airway management in coronavirus disease 2019 suspected or positive children. Subsequent to this high-realism difficult airway simulation was a real-life difficult airway event in a patient suspected of coronavirus disease 2019 less than 12 hours later, validating potential failure points and effectiveness of rapidly generated guidance. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A number of potential workflow challenges were identified during tabletop and physical in situ manikin-based simulations. Experienced clinicians served as participants, debriefed, and provided feedback that was incorporated into local site clinical pathways, job aids, and suggested practices. Clinical management of an actual suspected coronavirus disease 2019 patient with difficult airway demonstrated very similar success and anticipated failure points. Following debriefing and assembly of a success/failure grid, a coronavirus disease 2019 airway bundle template was created using these simulations and clinical experiences for others to adapt to their sites. CONCLUSIONS: Integration of tabletop planning, in situ simulations, and debriefing of real coronavirus disease 2019 cases can enhance planning, training, job aids, and feasible policies/procedures that address human factors, team communication, equipment choice, and patient/provider safety in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic era.

Reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting in pediatric patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A quality report.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting after elective outpatient surgery can complicate discharge and increase patient suffering. Within our hospital system, there was variability in the use of postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis for patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, which resulted in variable outcomes. To address this variability, we designed and implemented a standardized postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis guideline for the care of this surgical population. AIM: We sought to develop and implement a standardized postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis guideline for all patients presenting for elective ambulatory anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with the goal of reducing the rate of emesis to ≤5%. METHODS: We convened a multidisciplinary team to develop a postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis guideline which included administration of dexamethasone, ondansetron, and a low-dose propofol infusion in addition to a femoral and sciatic nerve block and routine ketorolac administration for pain control. Our primary outcome, emesis rate, was tracked using a P-chart. Process measures included use of guideline medications and balancing measures included opioid administration, pain scores, and emergence time. RESULTS: We analyzed postoperative nausea and vomiting outcomes for 817 patients from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2018. The baseline postoperative emesis rate for all anesthetizing locations was 17%. Following, guideline implementation, the emesis rate decreased to 5%. Opioid administration was decreased following guideline implementation. The percentage of patients managed without any perioperative opioids increased from 16% in the baseline group to 38% following guideline implementation. The P-chart suggests that the observed reduction in emesis rate represents special cause variation and this reduction was sustained over a two-year period. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of standard postoperative nausea and vomiting guidelines for adolescents undergoing outpatient anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was associated with lower emesis rates. This reduction in emesis rate may have been due to the concurrent reduction in opioids we observed following guideline implementation.

The impact of simulation-based medical education on resident management of emergencies in pediatric anesthesiology.

BACKGROUND: Resident education in pediatric anesthesiology is challenging. Traditional curricula for anesthesiology residency programs have included a combination of didactic lectures and mentored clinical service, which can be variable. Limited pediatric medical knowledge, technical inexperience, and heightened resident anxiety further challenge patient care. We developed a pediatric anesthesia simulation-based curriculum to address crises related to hypoxemia and dysrhythmia management in the operating room as an adjunct to traditional didactic and clinical experiences. AIMS: The primary objective of this trial was to evaluate the impact of a simulation curriculum designed for anesthesiology residents on their performance during the management of crises in the pediatric operating room. A secondary objective was to compare the retention of learned knowledge by assessment at the eight-week time point during the rotation. METHODS: In this prospective, observational trial 30 residents were randomized to receive simulation-based education on four perioperative crises (Laryngospasm, Bronchospasm, Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), and Bradycardia) during the first week (Group A) or fifth week (Group B) of an eight-week rotation. Assessment sessions that included two scenarios (Laryngospasm, SVT) were performed in the first week, fifth week, and the eighth week of their rotation for all residents. The residents were assessed in real time and by video review using a 7-point checklist generated by a modified Delphi technique of senior pediatric anesthesiology faculty. RESULTS: Residents in Group A showed improvement between the first week and fifth week assessment as well as between first week and eighth week assessments without decrement between the fifth week and eighth week assessments for both the laryngospasm and SVT scenarios. Residents in Group B showed improvement between the first week and eighth week assessments for both scenarios and between the fifth week and eighth week assessment for the SVT scenario. CONCLUSION: This adjunctive simulation-based curriculum enhanced the learner's management of laryngospasm and SVT management and is a reasonable addition to didactic and clinical curricula for anesthesiology residents.

Short-term Outcomes in Pediatric Patients Managed with Peripheral Nerve Blockade for Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and/or Meniscus Surgeries.

Introduction Peripheral nerve blockade (PNB) can be a useful component of a multimodal analgesia approach in managing pain after knee arthroscopy. However, the impact of PNB and short-term recovery in pediatric patients, particularly adolescents, who underwent knee arthroscopy for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and/or meniscus surgery (repair or resection) has not been well characterized. This prospective study presents observational data on short-term patient outcomes and side effects for 72 hours following discharging home of pediatric patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL and/or meniscus procedures with PNB. Methods This is a single-center, single-surgeon prospective observational study conducted over a three-year period. We characterized 72-hour postoperative outcomes including pain scores, return of sensation to the affected limb, analgesic use [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids], readmission rate, and activities of daily living (ADL) via telephone survey. In addition, retrospective chart review was conducted to obtain perioperative and anesthesia details. Results for surgery groups were analyzed using descriptive and Pearson correlations using the SPSS version 24 (IBM Corp. Released 2016. IBM SPSS Statistics for Mac, Version 24.0. Armonk, NY, USA). Results We collected data on 47 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with or without meniscus surgery (18/47, 38.3%) or meniscus surgery only (29/47, 61.7%). At 72 hours postsurgery, there were no readmissions or complications related to pain. Median-reported pain scores were 2.5 and 5.0 for the ACL and meniscus groups, respectively. A majority of patients continued to require opioids (45/47, 95.7%) and NSAIDs (46/47, 97.9%) at 72 hours postsurgery, but the number of daily opioid doses taken decreased with each day postoperatively. Over 93% of the patients could ambulate and shower at 72 hours postsurgery. Conclusions Regional nerve block appears to be an effective and safe analgesic strategy for pediatric arthroscopic ACL and meniscus procedures, with no short-term complications or readmissions related to pain in our cohort. Future prospective investigation is needed to characterize long-term pain outcomes in this surgical population.

A Prospective Observational Study of Technical Difficulty With GlideScope-Guided Tracheal Intubation in Children.

BACKGROUND: The GlideScope Cobalt is one of the most commonly used videolaryngoscopes in pediatric anesthesia. Although visualization of the airway may be superior to direct laryngoscopy, users need to learn a new indirect way to insert the tracheal tube. Learning this indirect approach requires focused practice and instruction. Identifying the specific points during tube placement, during which clinicians struggle, would help with targeted education. We conducted this prospective observational study to determine the incidence and location of technical difficulties using the GlideScope, the success rates of various corrective maneuvers used, and the impact of technical difficulty on success rate. METHODS: We conducted this observational study at our quaternary pediatric hospital between February 2014 and August 2014. We observed 200 GlideScope-guided intubations and documented key intubation-related outcomes. Inclusion criteria for patients were <6 years of age and elective surgery requiring endotracheal intubation. We documented the number of advancement maneuvers required to intubate the trachea, the location where technical difficulty occurred, the types of maneuvers used to address difficulties, and the tracheal intubation success rate. We used a bias-corrected bootstrapping method with 300 replicates to determine the 95% confidence interval (CI) around the rate of difficulty with an intubation attempt. RESULTS: After excluding attempts by inexperienced clinicians, there were 225 attempts in 187 patients, 58% (131 of 225; bootstrap CI, 51.6%-64.6%]) of the attempts had technical difficulties. Technical difficulty was most likely to occur when inserting the tracheal tube between the plane of the arytenoid cartilages to just beyond the vocal cords: "zone 3." Clockwise rotation of the tube was the most common successful corrective maneuver in zone 3. The overall tracheal intubation success rate was 98% (CI, 95%-99%); however, the first attempt success rate was only 80% (CI, 74%-86%). Patients with technical difficulty had more attempts (median [interquartile range], 2 [1-3] than those without technical difficulty median (interquartile range, 1 [1-1; P value <.01]). CONCLUSIONS: A variety of clinicians experience technical difficulties with the GlideScope Cobalt videolaryngoscope in children. These difficulties result in more tracheal intubation attempts, an important risk factor for intubation-associated complications. Targeted education of clinicians may reduce the incidence of technical difficulties.

Extubation in the operating room after pediatric liver transplant: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Early extubation immediately following liver transplantation is increasingly common in adult practice. Some pediatric institutions have begun to adopt this strategy. Careful patient selection is essential in minimizing risk. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated infants and children who underwent liver transplantation between July 2011 and December 2014. Our primary objective was to determine early extubation rate. Secondary objectives were to identify clinical factors associated with successful early extubation compared with delayed extubation and to examine significant postoperative complications, intensive care unit length of stay, and hospital length of stay. RESULTS: The early extubation rate was 57.8% (37/64, confidence interval [CI] 44.8%-70.1%) over this 3.5-year period, increasing from 42% in 2012 to 58% by the end of 2014. The patients in the early extubation group were more likely to be older than the delayed extubation group (mean [SD], 7 [5.3] years vs 3.5 [5.5] years, difference between the mean [95% CI], 3.5 [0.8, 6.2] years); were to have come from home on the day of surgery (78.4% vs 25.9%); and were less likely to be listed as United Network for Organ Sharing status 1A (2.7% vs 25.9%). The early extubation group received less packed red blood cell volume (mean [SD], 9 [13.2] mL/kg vs 40.6 [48.5] mL/kg, difference between the mean [95% CI], 31.6 [95% CI 14.9, 48.3] mL/kg) and fresh-frozen plasma (mean 2.7 [SD 9.5] vs 13.3 [SD15.1], difference between the mean [95% CI], 10.5 [4.4,16.7] mL/kg). None of the patients in the early extubation group required reintubation in the first 24 hours following transplant and none experienced hepatic artery thrombosis. The early extubation group had a shorter average postoperative PICU stay (mean 3.8 [SD 2.1] days vs 17.6 [SD 31.3] days, difference between the mean [95% CI], 9.5 [4.3, 14.7] days) and a shorter postoperative hospital stay overall (mean 10.7 [SD 4.3] days vs 29.7 [SD 43.1] days, difference between the mean [95% CI], 19.1 [8.6, 29.6] days). CONCLUSION: More than half of our pediatric liver transplant patients were successfully extubated in the operating room immediately following surgery. We believe early extubation to be safe when employed in selected subpopulations of pediatric patients undergoing liver transplantation.

A retrospective comparison of thoracic epidural infusion and multimodal analgesia protocol for pain management following the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum.

BACKGROUND: Pain management following minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum is variable. We recently adopted a comprehensive multimodal analgesic protocol that standardizes perioperative analgesic management. We hypothesized that patients managed with this protocol would use more opioids postoperatively, have similar pain control, and shorter length of stay compared to patients managed with thoracic epidural infusion. AIMS: We retrospectively compared opioid consumption, pain scores, and length of stay between a cohort of patients managed with our multimodal analgesic protocol and a cohort managed with a thoracic epidural infusion. METHODS: This retrospective cohort comparison includes patients, 8 to 21 years of age, managed with either thoracic epidural infusion (n = 21) or multimodal analgesic protocol (n = 29) following minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum from January 1, 2011 through September 15, 2015. The primary outcome, total daily opioid consumption in morphine equivalents, is presented as an average by postoperative day. Secondary outcomes included median daily pain score and length of stay. RESULTS: Patients were similar in age, weight, sex, and physical status. Patients managed with thoracic epidural infusion received less opioid (morphine equivalents-mg/kg) intraoperatively compared to multimodal analgesic protocol (difference of mean [95% confidence interval] 0.22 [0.16-0.28] P ≤ .01) but required more total opioid through postoperative day 3 (difference of mean [95% confidence interval] 1.2 [0.26-2.14] P = .01). We did not observe a difference in pain scores. Median length of stay was 1 day less in patients managed with multimodal analgesic protocol (difference of median [95% confidence interval] 1 [0.3-1.7] P = .003). CONCLUSION: Implementation of a standardized comprehensive multimodal analgesic protocol following minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum resulted in equivalent analgesia with a modest reduction in length of stay when compared to thoracic epidural. We did not observe an opioid sparing effect in our thoracic epidural which may reflect technique variability.

Pediatric anesthesiology fellow education: is a simulation-based boot camp feasible and valuable?

BACKGROUND: Pediatric anesthesiologists must manage crises in neonates and children with timely responses and limited margin for error. Teaching the range of relevant skills during a 12-month fellowship is challenging. An experiential simulation-based curriculum can augment acquisition of knowledge and skills. OBJECTIVES: To develop a simulation-based boot camp (BC) for novice pediatric anesthesiology fellows and assess learner perceptions of BC activities. We hypothesize that BC is feasible, not too basic, and well received by fellows. METHODS: Skills stations, team-based in situ simulations, and group discussions of complex cases were designed. Stations were evaluated by anonymous survey; fellows rated usefulness in improving knowledge, self-confidence, technical skill, and clinical performance using a Likert scale (1 strongly disagree to 5 strongly agree). They were also asked if stations were too basic or too short. Median and interquartile range (IQR) data were calculated and noted as median (IQR). RESULTS: Fellows reported the difficult airway station and simulated scenarios improved knowledge, self-confidence, technical skill, and clinical performance. They disagreed that stations were too basic or too short with exception of the difficult airway session, which was too short [4 (4-3)]. Fellows believed the central line station improved knowledge [4 (4-3)], technical skills [4 (4-4)], self-confidence [4 (4-3)], and clinical performance [4 (4-3)]; scores trended toward neutral likely because the station was perceived as too basic [3.5 (4-3)]. An interactive session on epinephrine and intraosseous lines was valued. Complicated case discussion was of educational value [4 (5-4)], the varied opinions of faculty were helpful [4 (5-4)], and the session was neither too basic [2 (2-2)] nor too short [2 (2-2)]. CONCLUSION: A simulation-based BC for pediatric anesthesiology fellows was feasible, perceived to improve confidence, knowledge, technical skills, and clinical performance, and was not too basic.

Anesthetic management of the first pediatric bilateral hand transplant.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report is to describe the anesthetic and case management of the first vascularized composite allograft pediatric bilateral hand transplant. CLINICAL DETAILS: Our patient was an eight-year-old male with a medical history of Staphylococcus aureus sepsis at one year of age that resulted in end-stage renal disease as well as bilateral upper and lower extremity amputations. After referral for bilateral hand transplantation, the transplantation team, with expertise in all aspects of perioperative care (surgery, anesthesiology, nephrology, renal transplantation, pediatric intensive care, and therapeutic pharmacy), was consulted to help develop anesthetic and other perioperative protocols for surgery. Prior to activation of the transplantation team, the lead surgeon evaluated potential donors by comparing a three-dimensional printed model of the recipient's forearm with the donor's upper extremities to ensure an adequate match. The anesthesia team inserted bilateral ultrasound-guided infraclavicular catheters to provide a sympathetic block to facilitate blood flow to the upper extremities and to provide both intraoperative and postoperative pain control. The patient remained in the operating room for 13 hr 37 min for a surgical time of ten hours 39 min. He remained in the hospital for 34 days after the procedure and was then transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility for a further 15 days. The patient is currently doing well in a postoperative rehabilitation program. He has demonstrated motor power to the hands using the forearm muscles but is not expected to reach his maximum sensory function for at least one to two years. CONCLUSION: This report describes the anesthetic management of the first pediatric bilateral hand transplant. This procedure required considerable preoperative planning and communication between various teams to ensure all resources needed to deliver the care for this complex and novel transplant surgery were readily available.

Regional anesthesia for pediatric knee surgery: a review of the indications, procedures, outcomes, safety, and challenges.

The indications for surgery on the knee in children and adolescents share some similarity to adult practice in that there are an increasing number of sports-related injuries requiring surgical repair. In addition, there are some unique age-related conditions or congenital abnormalities that may present as indications for orthopedic intervention at the level of the knee. The efficacy and safety of peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) for postoperative analgesia following orthopedic surgery has been well established in adults. Recent studies have also demonstrated earlier functional recovery after surgery in patients who received PNBs. In children, PNB is gaining popularity, and increasing data are emerging to demonstrate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety in this population. In this paper, we will review some of the most common indications for surgery involving the knee in children and the anatomy of knee, associated dermatomal and osteotomal innervation, and the PNBs most commonly used to produce analgesia at the level of the knee. We will review the evidence in support of regional anesthesia in children in terms of both the quality conferred to the immediate postoperative care and the role of continuous PNBs in maintaining effective analgesia following discharge. Also we will discuss some of the subtle challenges in utilizing regional anesthesia in the pediatric patient including the use of general anesthesia when performing regional anesthesia and the issue of monitoring for compartment syndrome. Finally, we will offer some thoughts about areas of practice that are in need of further investigation.

A retrospective comparison of ropivacaine and 2-chloroprocaine continuous thoracic epidural analgesia for management of postthoracotomy pain in infants.

INTRODUCTION: Continuous thoracic epidural analgesia is useful in the management of infants following thoracotomy. Concerns about drug accumulation and toxicity limit the amount of amide local anesthetics that can be delivered. Continuous epidural infusions of the ester local anesthetic chloroprocaine result in little drug accumulation allowing for higher infusion rates. We retrospectively compared patients managed with 1.5% 2- chloroprocaine or 0.1% ropivacaine epidural infusions to determine if the increased infusion rate resulted in similar or improved analgesia. METHODS: This retrospective cohort comparison consisted of full term infants 6 months or younger who underwent thoracotomy for congenital lung lesion resection. Patients were included if they were managed with either a 1.5% 2-chloroprocaine (Group C) (n = 26) or 0.1% ropivacaine (Group R) (n = 28) infusion administered through a caudally placed thoracic epidural catheter. The primary outcome was morphine administration at 0-24 h. RESULTS: Patients were similar in age, weight, length of stay, epidural location and duration. There was weak evidence for a difference in morphine use in the first 24 h in Group C compared to Group R (P = 0.08) but no difference 24-48 h. Group C was more commonly managed with ketorolac at 0-24 h (P = 0.03) and 24-48 h (P =< 0.01). DISCUSSION: The use of 2-chloroprocaine for continuous epidural infusion in infants following thoracotomy was not inferior to ropivacaine and there was weak evidence for a reduction in opioid consumption in the first 24 h postoperatively. However, the 2-chloroprocaine group was more likely to receive ketorolac.

Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia in a pediatric patient with acute intermittent porphyria: literature review and case report.

Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques placed under general anesthesia have not been reported in pediatric patients with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). A 9-year-old male with AIP presented for right inguinal herniorraphy. Family history included one relative's death after anesthesia. Preoperative preparation included reviewing medications safe for AIP patients, minimizing known AIP triggers (fasting, stress) and ensuring access to rescue medications. Intraoperative management included a propofol induction with the patient's mother present in the operating room. We performed an ultrasound-guided ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block under general anesthesia. The surgery proceeded without complications and the patient did not demonstrate signs of an AIP crisis.

The reliability of manual reporting of clinical events in an anesthesia information management system (AIMS).

Manual incident reports significantly under-report adverse clinical events when compared with automated recordings of intraoperative data. Our goal was to determine the reliability of AIMS and CQI reports of adverse clinical events that had been witnessed and recorded by research assistants. The AIMS and CQI records of 995 patients aged 2-12 years were analyzed to determine if anesthesia providers had properly documented the emesis events that were observed and recorded by research assistants who were present in the operating room at the time of induction. Research assistants recorded eight cases of emesis during induction that were confirmed with the attending anesthesiologist at the time of induction. AIMS yielded a sensitivity of 38 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 8.5-75.5 %), while the sensitivity of CQI reporting was 13 % (95 % CI 0.3-52.7 %). The low sensitivities of the AIMS and CQI reports suggest that user-reported AIMS and CQI data do not reliably include significant clinical events.