Vancomycin added to the wash solution of the cell-saver. Effect on bacterial contamination. / Adición de vancomicina al suero de lavado del recuperador de sangre. Efecto sobre la contaminación bacteriana.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to test whether the addition of a low-dose of antibiotic (vancomycin) to the wash solution (saline) of the cell-saver reduces the incidence of bacterial contamination of the autologous red blood cell (RBCs) concentrate recovered. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Experimental, randomized, double-blind, parallel group study performed on 20 consecutive patients scheduled for posterior spinal fusion surgery. Intraoperative bleeding was processed through a cell-saver: HaemoLite® 2+, in which the RBCs were washed according to randomization group, with saline (control group) or saline+10µg/ml-1 vancomycin (vanco group). Data regarding age, weight, processed and recovered volume, blood count, blood culture, and vancomycin concentration in RBCs concentrates obtained and incidence of fever after reinfusion were collected. RESULTS: Processed volume was 843±403ml and recovered volume 121±29ml, with haemoglobin concentration 10.4±5.0g/dl-1 and haematocrit 29.1±15.9% (mean±SD). Recovered RBC concentrate cultures were positive for coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in 5 cases (50%) of the control group while all cultures were negative in the vanco group (P=.016). The difference between the theoretical concentration of vancomycin administered and the concentration determined in the recovered RBC concentrate was 1.31µg/ml-1 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.43; P=.074). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of vancomycin at a concentration of 10ug/ml-1 to the wash solution of the cell-saver achieved similar concentrations in the autologous blood concentrate recovered allowing for bacterial removal, with negative blood cultures in all cases.

Characteristics and quality of intra-operative cell salvage in paediatric scoliosis surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the haematological and microbiological characteristics of blood recovered by using a cell saver with a rigid centrifuge bowl (100ml) in paediatric scoliosis surgery and to determine whether it conforms to the standard expected in adult patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive cohort study was performed on 24 consecutive red blood cell (RBC) units recovered from the surgical field and processed by a Haemolite® 2+ (Haemonetics Corp., Braintree, MA, EE. UU.) cell saver. Data were collected regarding age, weight, surgical approach (anterior or posterior), processed shed volume and volume of autologous RBC recovered, full blood count, and blood culture obtained from the RBC concentrate, and incidence of fever after reinfusion. RESULTS: The processed shed volume was very low (939±569ml) with high variability (coefficient of variation=0.6), unlike the recovered volume 129±50ml (coefficient of variation=0.38). A statistically significant correlation between the processed shed volume and recovered RBC concentrate haematocrit was found (Pearson, r=.659, P=.001). Haematological parameters in the recovered concentrate were: Hb 11±5.3g dl(-1); haematocrit: 32.1±15.4% (lower than expected); white cells 5.34±4.22×103 ul(-)1; platelets 37.88±23.5×103 ul(-1) (mean±SD). Blood culture was positive in the RBC concentrate recovered in 13 cases (54.2%) in which Staphylococcus coagulase (-) was isolated. CONCLUSIONS: Cell salvage machines with rigid centrifuge bowls (including paediatric small volume) do not obtain the expected haematocrit if low volumes are processed, and therefore they are not the best choice in paediatric surgery.

Ventilation with facial mask in the prone position for radiotherapy procedures in children.

OBJECTIVES: Ventilation of patients undergoing procedures in the prone position represents a challenge for the anesthesiologist, especially when trying to avoid tracheal intubation. This study aimed to test the effectiveness and safety of a prototype designed for pediatric facial mask ventilation in the prone position. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective descriptive study was conducted on 105 sedations performed in 3 children scheduled for radiotherapy treatment of posterior fossa desmoplastic medulloblastoma (6 and 4 y.o. males), and neuroblastoma in temporal area (4 y.o. male). Induction and maintenance of sedation were conducted with sevoflurane in oxygen, maintaining spontaneous ventilation. After achieving loss of consciousness and immobility, the patients were placed in the prone position. Their heads were fixed with the forehead and face supported by a prototype made with a cast of expanded polystyrene (EPS), which held the facial mask (connected to a Mapleson D circuit), and the back of the head immobilized with a layer of thermoplastic material. Time variables and complications were recorded. RESULTS: All sedations were performed according to the planned protocol. All patients maintained oxygen saturation levels above 95%, and no complications were reported. Daily hospital length of stay including the procedure and post anesthetic recovery was 54.4±7.9 min (mean±SD). CONCLUSIONS: The prototype and the sedation technique with face mask in the prone position employed were effective and safe, allowing the completion of the radiotherapy sessions and securing the airway in a minimally invasive way, maintaining adequate ventilation, light sedation and enabling early hospital discharge.

Implementation of a patient blood management program in pediatric scoliosis surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the implementation of a blood conservation program, and the adoption and progressive association of different methods, reduces transfusion requirements in pediatric patients undergoing scoliosis surgery of different origins. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Quasi-experimental, nonrandomized, descriptive study, approved by the Ethics Committee for Research of our institution. 50 pediatric patients (ASA I-III) aged 5 to 18 years, undergoing scoliosis surgery of any etiology by a single posterior or double approach (anterior and posterior) were included. A historical group with no alternatives to transfusion: Group No ahorro=15 patients (retrospective data collection) was compared with another 3 prospective study groups: Group HNA (acute normovolemic hemodilution)=9 patients; Group HNA+Rec (intraoperative blood salvage)=14 patients, and Group EPO (HNA+Rec+erythropoietin±preoperative donation)=12 patients; according with the implementation schedule of the transfusion alternatives in our institution. RESULTS: The rate of transfusion in different groups (No ahorro, HNA, HNA+Rec, EPO) was 100, 66, 57, and 0% of the patients, respectively, with a mean±SD of 3.40±1.59; 1.33±1.41; 1.43±1.50; 0±0 RBC units transfused per patient, respectively. Statistically significant differences (P<.001) were found in both the transfusion rate and number of RBC units. CONCLUSIONS: The application of a multimodal blood transfusion alternatives program, individualized for each pediatric patient undergoing scoliosis surgery can avoid transfusion in all cases.

Relación entre la actividad arginasa y el tiempo de conservación de los concentrados de hematíes / Relationship between arginase activity and the storage time of packed red blood cells

Objetivos. Dada la creciente evidencia a favor de una relación entre el tiempo de conservación de los concentrados de hematíes y las complicaciones postransfusionales, nos planteamos analizar la relación existente entre los niveles de enzima arginasa, parámetros bioquímicos y de hemólisis, con el tiempo de conservación de concentrados de hematíes transfundidos. Material y métodos. Diseñamos un estudio prospectivo que incluyó 24 unidades de concentrado de hematíes, que habían sido transfundidos consecutivamente a pacientes de nuestro hospital. Luego de registrar el tiempo de conservación de cada bolsa, se extrajeron 15ml de sangre para determinar la actividad arginasa, los datos bioquímicos y de hemólisis. Se realizó un análisis univariante de todos los parámetros registrados y se incluyeron aquellos que resultaron significativos en un modelo de regresión múltiple (p<0,05). Resultados. El tiempo promedio de conservación fue de 18,6±6,1 días (rango: 6-31 días), con un hematocrito de 59,8%±0,05%, una hemoglobina 20,3±1,8g/dl, un pH de 6,5±0,1 y una actividad arginasa de 140,1±124,0 mU/ml. Se observó una relación lineal en el análisis univariante entre el tiempo de conservación y el pH (p=0,001), el HCO3act (p=0,001), el índice hemolítico (p=0,035) y la SpO2 (p=0,01). Una vez ajustados las variables de confusión procedentes del modelo univariante, se observó una relación lineal entre la actividad arginasa y el tiempo de conservación (p=0,031). Conclusiones. Nuestro trabajo muestra una relación lineal directamente proporcional entre el tiempo de conservación de los concentrados de hematíes y la actividad arginasa presente en los mismos. Sugerimos que estos hallazgos podrían estar relacionados con la elevada incidencia de complicaciones tras la transfusión que puede ser directamente proporcional a su tiempo de conservación(AU)

Objectives. Given the increasing evidence regarding a relationship between packed red blood cells storage time and post-transfusion complications, we decided to determine the relationship between the arginase enzyme levels, biochemical parameters and haemolysis, with the storage time of transfused packed red blood cells. Material and methods. We designed a prospective study that included 24 units of packed cells that had been consecutively transfused to patients of our hospital. After recording the storage time of each bag, 15ml of blood was removed to determine arginase activity, biochemical parameters and haemolysis. A univariate analysis was performed on all the recorded parameters, and included those that were significant in the multiple regression model (P<.05). Results. The mean storage time was 18.6±6.1 days (range: 6-31 days), with a haematocrit of 59.8%±0.05%, a haemoglobin of 20.3±1.8g/dl, a pH of 6.5±0.1, and an arginase activity of 140.1±124.0mU/ml. A linear relationship was observed in the univariate analysis between the storage time and the pH (P=.001), the actualHCO3 (P=.001), the haemolysis index (P=.035) and the SpO2 (P=.01). Once adjusted for the confounding variables of the univariate model, a linear relationship was observed between the arginase activity and the storage time (P=.031). Conclusions. Our study shows a directly proportional linear relationship between the storage time of packed red blood cells and their arginase activity. We suggest that these findings could be associated with the high incidence of complications after transfusion that may be directly proportional to their storage time(AU)

[Relationship between arginase activity and the storage time of packed red blood cells]. / Relación entre la actividad arginasa y el tiempo de conservación de los concentrados de hematíes.

OBJECTIVES: Given the increasing evidence regarding a relationship between packed red blood cells storage time and post-transfusion complications, we decided to determine the relationship between the arginase enzyme levels, biochemical parameters and haemolysis, with the storage time of transfused packed red blood cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We designed a prospective study that included 24 units of packed cells that had been consecutively transfused to patients of our hospital. After recording the storage time of each bag, 15 ml of blood was removed to determine arginase activity, biochemical parameters and haemolysis. A univariate analysis was performed on all the recorded parameters, and included those that were significant in the multiple regression model (P<.05). RESULTS: The mean storage time was 18.6±6.1 days (range: 6-31 days), with a haematocrit of 59.8%±0.05%, a haemoglobin of 20.3±1.8 g/dl, a pH of 6.5±0.1, and an arginase activity of 140.1±124.0 mU/ml. A linear relationship was observed in the univariate analysis between the storage time and the pH (P=.001), the actual HCO(3) (P=.001), the haemolysis index (P=.035) and the SpO(2) (P=.01). Once adjusted for the confounding variables of the univariate model, a linear relationship was observed between the arginase activity and the storage time (P=.031). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a directly proportional linear relationship between the storage time of packed red blood cells and their arginase activity. We suggest that these findings could be associated with the high incidence of complications after transfusion that may be directly proportional to their storage time.

[Perioperative respiratory complications in pediatric patients with mediastinal masses: a report of 2 cases]. / Complicaciones respiratorias perioperatorias en pacientes pediátricos con masas mediastínicas: a propósito de dos casos.

General anesthesia in patients with mediastinal masses can lead to life-threatening cardiorespiratory complications. We report the cases of 2 pediatric patients with mediastinal masses who developed serious complications during general anesthesia. The first was a 13-year-old boy with a suspected diagnosis of high-grade T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lymph node disease, and an anterior mediastinal mass. He developed negative pressure pulmonary edema secondary to severe upper airway obstruction in spontaneous ventilation. The second was a 14-year-old boy with Rosai-Dorfman disease and paratracheal lymph node involvement. He developed severe airway obstruction in the early postoperative period. The anesthetic difficulties that arise in these cases include acute airway occlusion, superior vena cava syndrome, pulmonary artery or cardiac compression, acute pulmonary edema, and cardiopulmonary collapse. The technique of choice is induction with inhaled anesthetics and maintenance of spontaneous ventilation. Neuromuscular relaxants are avoided.

[Inferior vena cava thrombosis after corrective surgery for tricuspid atresia (Fontan technique) in a pediatric patient]. / Trombosis en vena cava inferior tras cirugía correctora de atresia tricuspídea (Técnica de Fontán) en paciente pediátrico.

A 13-year-old boy weighing 35 Kg underwent surgery to correct pulmonary valve atresia by total caval-pulmonary anastomosis (Fontan procedure). During surgery and recovery, no adverse events were observed. On the third day after surgery, the patient developed signs of low cardiac output, renal failure, and right ventricular insufficiency. In spite of an antithrombotic treatment protocol with sodium heparin (10 IU/Kg/h), venous return was found to be impeded by 2 thrombi in the inferior vena cava. Thrombolysis with urokinase was ineffective, and surgical thrombectomy was only partially successful. Finally, a high dose of intravenous heparin was prescribed (25 IU/Kg/h) and the thrombi were dissolved. The importance of prophylactic antithromboembolic therapy following corrective surgery for congenital heart disease must be emphasized. Ultrasound monitoring of these patients, even in the absence of clinical signs, has proven effective for early detection of the thrombotic events described in this report.

[Acute myocardial infarction in childhood. Report of 2 cases]. / Infarto agudo de miocardio en la infancia. A propósito de dos casos.

We review two cases of agenesis of the left coronary trunk, a very rare congenital malformation. Both patients presented at our children's hospital with acute myocardial infarction, the mortality rate of which is high in infancy and childhood. The most common causes of myocardial infarction are anomalous origin of left coronary artery and Kawasaki disease. Less common causes are myocarditis and absence of the left coronary artery. The patients' main symptoms of acute myocardial infarction were non-specific--dyspnea and feeding problems--as is usual in acute coronary disease in children. A definitive diagnosis was made by cardiac catheterization. Both patients required surgery: saphenous vein bypass graft in one case and heart transplantation in the second. We describe both cases and review the literature.