Spinal anesthesia in children: A review.

Even after a vast safety record, the role of spinal anesthesia (SA) as a primary anesthetic technique in children remains contentious and is mainly limited to specialized pediatric centers. It is usually practiced on moribund former preterm infants (<60 weeks post-conception) to reduce the incidence of post-operative apnea when compared to general anesthesia (GA). However, there is ample literature to suggest its safety and efficacy for suitable procedures in older children as well. SA in children has many advantages as in adults with an added advantage of minimal cardio-respiratory disturbance. Recently, several reports from animal studies have raised serious concerns regarding the harmful effects of GA on young developing brain. This may further increase the utility of SA in children as it provides all components of balanced anesthesia technique. Also, SA can be an economical option for countries with finite resources. Limited duration of surgical anesthesia in children is one of the major deterrents for its widespread use in them. To overcome this, several additives like epinephrine, clonidine, fentanyl, morphine, neostigmine etc. have been used and found to be effective even in neonates. But, the developing spinal cord may also be vulnerable to drug-related toxicity, though this has not been systematically evaluated in children. So, adjuvants and drugs with widest therapeutic index should be preferred in children. Despite its widespread use, incidence of side-effects is low and permanent neurological sequalae have not been reported with SA. Literature yields encouraging results regarding its safety and efficacy. Technical skills and constant vigilance of experienced anesthesia providers is indispensable to achieve good results with this technique.

A case series study of therapeutic implications of type IIIb4: a rare variant of esophageal atresia and distal tracheoesophageal fistula.

BACKGROUND: A wide spectrum of variations can occur in type IIIb esophageal atresia and distal tracheoesophageal fistula [EA-TEF] (Kluth D. Atlas of esophageal atresia. J Pediatr Surg 1976; 11 (6):901-19). The aim of this study was to evaluate the variant anatomy of subtype IIIb4 EA-TEF and its therapeutic implications. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 4 patients of this variant subtype within a series of 259 esophageal atresias, managed over a study period of three years, at our institution. The diagnosis was made at thoracotomy. The overlapping upper and lower esophageal pouches, initially, gave a false impression of esophageal continuity. The long TEF coursed parallel in proximity to the upper pouch (UP) and the trachea needing meticulous dissection. The TEF measured 8-10mm in diameter and was ligated and divided high on the trachea near the thoracic inlet. The patients were followed up by a contrast swallow, radioactive technetium-99m- sulfur colloid scan, echocardiography and bronchoscopy (if indicated). RESULTS: The mean birth weight and gestational age was 2250 g and 38 weeks respectively. The mean follow up was eighteen months (range 5-42 months). An associated anorectal malformation was present in two patients while none had associated congenital heart disease. The Waterston grading was A and B in one patient each and C in two patients. All the patients had muscular UP extending up-to the level of arch of azygous vein (T(3-4)). The lower esophageal pouch (LP) and the fistula extended high, near the thoracic inlet. Tracheal injury occurred in one patient, with thin LP, warranting postoperative elective ventilation. A postoperative barium swallow did not reveal anastomotic leak or stricture in any patient. Follow-up barium swallow showed long LP extending high up in the chest, up to clavicles in all four patients and redundancy of UP in case 1. Severe gastroesophageal reflux was present in two patients. Bronchoscopy revealed tracheomalacia in case 1. Three patients were thriving well at the last follow-up. One patient died at five months of age due to aspiration pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of diagnostic and therapeutic implications of the variant subtype IIIb4 EA-TEF should be in the armamentarium of the treating surgeon to reduce pitfalls in its management.

Tobacco interventions and anaesthesia- a review.

SUMMARY: Tobacco use is the leading preventable agent of death in the world. It is manufactured on a large scale in India and has a huge international market also. Death toll from tobacco use is on the rise. Use of tobacco is also increasing esp. in developing countries, in teenagers & in women, despite government, WHO and intervention by other statutory bodies. Prolonged use of tobacco or its products, as smoke or chew, endows significant risk of developing various diseases. With advances in surgical and anaethesia techniques & prolonged life expectancy, anaesthetist will be faced with management of these patients. Tobacco consumption affects every major organ system of the body; esp. lung, heart and blood vessels. Perioperative smoking cessation can significantly reduce the risk of postoperative complications & duration of hospital stay. Anaesthetist can play an important role in motivating these patients to quit smoking preoperatively by providing brief counselling and nicotine replacement therapy in reluctant quitters. More of concern is the effect of passive smoking (second & third hand smoke) on non smokers. This is a review of tobacco & its products, their health consequences, diseases caused, anaesthetic considerations & their role in helping these patients quit smoking Preventing nicotine addiction and improving smoking cessation strategies should be the priority and despite these being only partially successful, strong measures at all levels should be continued & enforced.