Esophageal balloons of three different wall thicknesses, two different lengths, and two different diameters were made to assess which type of balloon gave the most consistent and reliable measurements of dynamic compliance (CL) and pulmonary resistance (Rp). The balloons were subjected to in vitro testing to determine their pressure-volume characteristics and working range and then used in infants to compare in vivo results from one balloon to another. The optimal balloon was found to have a length of 35--50 mm, a diameter of 7.6 mm, and a wall thickness of 0.045--0.075 mm. The use of unsuitable balloons or inappropriate volumes of air within the balloon resulted in applied pressures being under-recorded, both in vitro and in vivo, with consequent overestimation of CL and underestimation of Rp during infant lung function tests. Recommendations are made concerning the techniques of making and using esophageal balloons.

Preoperative fasting was introduced to reduce the risk and severity of aspiration pneumonitis. Adequate time (6h) must still be allowed before operation for solid foods to be emptied from the stomach. However, the overwhelming weight of evidence supports the practice of reducing the duration of the preoperative fluid fast for elective paediatric surgical patients [3, 15]. In children allowed free, clear fluids until 2 h before the scheduled time of anaesthesia, gastric contents and thus the risk of aspiration pneumonitis appears to be similar to those children who have endured a longer fast. Potential benefits of reduced thirst, better perioperative experience, improved compliance and reduced hypoglycaemia may be seen. Patients at risk of GOR and aspiration pneumonitis, including those presenting for emergency surgery, must receive special consideration. As aspiration pneumonitis is so rare, careful reporting of complications potentially related to a reduced fasting period is necessary.

The original hypothesis was refuted. It appears that the outcome of AHRF in present day pediatric critical care is principally related to the severity of associated pathology and now no longer solely to the severity of respiratory failure. Further studies in larger series are needed to confirm these findings.

A computerized database was set up to study the incidence and outcome of complications of nasotracheal intubation in a paediatric hospital. We studied 2953 intensive care admissions over a 4-yr period. The overall complication rate was 8%. Accidental extubation and tube blockage were the most frequent events, accounting for a mean of 3.5% and 2.6% of the complications per year, respectively. Complications were more common in smaller children and there were differences between fields of intensive care. None of the complications was fatal or resulted in serious sequelae. None of the children in the study showed clinical symptoms of acquired subglottic stenosis before discharge from hospital, and none has been readmitted for this condition subsequently.

A postal survey of previous paediatric anaesthetic training, current paediatric experience and management of an infant pyloromyotomy was undertaken among consultant anaesthetists in the UK. A total of 851 questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 31%; 352 (41%) consultants had at least one paediatric list each week, 180 (21%) anaesthetized more than one infant less than 6 months old each month and 373 (44%) had obtained more than 6 months' specialist training. Consultants trained most recently had received significantly longer (P < 0.001) specialist training than their senior colleagues: 558 (66%) consultants dealt with infants requiring a pyloromyotomy, 348 with one or two cases annually. Two-thirds preferred to use an i.v. induction technique and less than half used cricoid pressure. Choice of technique was related to the duration of specialist paediatric training and when it was received, but not to current paediatric anaesthetic experience. The results are discussed in relation to recently published recommendations on paediatric anaesthetic services.