Children intubated with uncuffed ETTs are more likely to have POST. ETT CP is positively correlated with the incidence of POST. When using cuffed ETTs, CP should be routinely measured intraoperatively.

The incidence of desaturation was higher in patients receiving TAL compared with children who did not. This association should perhaps be considered when contemplating the use of this technique.

No abstract

Summary Background The pediatric difficult airway can be unexpected, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Standardized emergency airway equipment should be available on a regularly checked difficult airway trolley (DAT). We conducted a survey to investigate pediatric anesthetists' knowledge, experience, and confidence with the DAT. Methods Members of the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (APAGBI), European Society for Paediatric Anaesthesiology (ESPA) and their national societies, Canadian Pediatric Anesthesia Society (CPAS), and Society for Paediatric Anaesthesia in New Zealand and Australia (SPANZA) were invited to complete a survey between January and April 2011. Results Six hundred and ninety‐three anesthetists replied to the questionnaire. Six hundred and thirty‐three (92%) stated they have a DAT in their theater suite, with 587 (98%) knowing its location. Three hundred and eight‐seven (56%) anesthetists received formal DAT training. The lowest training levels were observed in Australia and the UK; 42% and 59%, respectively. Those receiving training were more likely to be confident/very confident in knowing the DAT contents (r = −0.321, P = 0.01). Three hundred and fifty‐five (59%) anesthetists had used the DAT in the last 6 months, 82 (14%) in the last 6–12 months, 91 (15%) >1 year ago, and 72 (12%) had never used it. Frequency of use correlated moderately with higher confidence levels (r = −0.398, P = 0.01). One hundred and eight‐three (31%) reported having experienced problems with DAT equipment (missing 20%, faulty 4%, unfamiliarity 7%). Discussion Training and recent use of the DAT increases anesthetists' confidence, but is not a universal practice. A significant number of anesthetists reported problems with the DAT, raising issues of equipment maintenance and quality control.

Epidural infusions of 0.2 mg(-1) · kg(-1) · h(-1) bupivacaine or ropivacaine appeared to be well tolerated and efficacious in this population. No accumulation of unbound drug concentrations occurred.

Our study did not show any differences in the incidence of pain/parental satisfaction between the two groups. Analgesia advice given to parents was poorly retained, suggesting that other methods for disseminating information should be considered.

No abstract

Prostacyclin and thromboxane have been implicated in the pathophysiology of several disorders of pregnancy, but there is little information on concentrations of these prostaglandins in normal pregnancy. The aim of our study was to determine the range of values throughout normal pregnancy and the puerperium and to compare this with concentrations in normal non-pregnant women. Measurement was by radioimmunoassay of prostacyclin and thromboxane metabolites. We observed a significant difference in prostacyclin metabolites in the first trimester. (mean 19.9, §EM 0.96 pg/ml) compared with the normal non-pregnant group (mean 15.9. SEM 0.68 pgh1). There were no significant differences between values in the normal non-pregnant group and those in the second and third trimester or postnatally. The increase in prostacyclin in the first trimester may be associated with placent a t' ion and physiological vasodilation, and insencitivity to angiotensin 11 5een in early pregnancy. We noted a significant redaction in thromboxane metabolites in the second (mean 133, SEhl 14.9 pgirnl) and third (mean 123, SEM 30.7 pgiml) trimesters and the puerperium (mean 119, SEM 6.3 pgiml) compared with the values in the normal non-pregnant group (mean 142, SEM4.9pgiml). This may be due to increased platelet stability or decreased thromboxane synthesis. 20, 105-110. 389-399.