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BACKGROUND: There are few comparative data on the analgesic options used to manage patients undergoing minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE). The Society for Pediatric Anesthesia Improvement Network was established to investigate outcomes for procedures where there is significant management variability. For our first study, we established a multicenter observational database to characterize the analgesic strategies used to manage pediatric patients undergoing MIRPE. Outcome data from the participating centers were used to assess the association between analgesic strategy and pain outcomes. METHODS: Fourteen institutions enrolled patients from June 2014 through August 2015. Network members agreed to an observational methodology where each institution managed patients based on their institutional standards and protocols. There was no requirement to standardize care. Patients were categorized based on analgesic strategy: epidural catheter (EC), paravertebral catheter (PVC), wound catheter (WC), no regional (NR) analgesia, and intrathecal morphine techniques. Primary outcomes, pain score and opioid consumption by postoperative day (POD), for each technique were compared while adjusting for confounders using multivariable modeling that included 5 covariates: age, sex, number of bars, Haller index, and use of preoperative pain medication. Pain scores were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction. Opioid consumption was analyzed using a multivariable quantile regression. RESULTS: Data were collected on 348 patients and categorized based on primary analgesic strategy: EC (122), PVC (57), WC (41), NR (120), and intrathecal morphine (8). Compared to EC, daily median pain scores were higher in patients managed with PVC (POD 0), WC (POD 0, 1, 2, 3), and NR (POD 0, 1, 2), respectively (P < .001–.024 depending on group). Daily opioid requirements were higher in patients managed with PVC (POD 0, 1), WC (POD 0, 1, 2), and NR (POD 0, 1, 2) when compared to patients managed with EC (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate variation in pain management strategies for patients undergoing MIRPE within our network. The results indicate that most patients have mild-to-moderate pain postoperatively regardless of analgesic management. Patients managed with EC had lower pain scores and opioid consumption in the early recovery period compared to other treatment strategies.

Background Anaphylactic reactions to antigens in the perioperative environment are uncommon, but they have a potential to lead to serious morbidity and/or mortality. The incidence of anaphylactic reactions is 1:37 000 pediatric anesthetics, and substantially less than the 1:10 000 to 1:20 000 incidence in the adult population. Neuromuscular blocking agents, latex, and antibiotics are the most frequently cited triggers. To date, there is no comprehensive report on perioperative anaphylactic reactions in children in the United States. Using the Wake‐up Safe database, we examined the incidence and consequences of reported perioperative anaphylaxis events. Methods We reviewed the Wake‐up Safe database from 2010 to 2017 and identified all reported instances of anaphylaxis. The triggering agent, timing, and location of the registered event, severity of patient harm, and preventability were identified. Narrative review of free‐text comments entered by reporting centers was performed to determine presenting symptoms, and interventions required. Type of case was identified from procedure codes provided in mandatory fields. Results Among 2 261 749 cases reported to the Wake‐up Safe database during the study period, perioperative anaphylactic reactions occurred in 1:36 479 (0.003%). Antibiotics, neuromuscular blocking agents, and opioid analgesics were the main triggers. Forty‐nine cases (79%) occurred in the operating room, and 13 cases (21%) occurred in off‐site locations. Seven (11%) patients required cardiopulmonary resuscitation following the onset of symptoms. Thirty‐five (57%) patients were treated with epinephrine or epinephrine plus other medications, whereas 5% were managed only with phenylephrine. Most cases (97%) required escalation of care after the event. Regarding case preventability, 91% of cases were marked as either “likely could not have been prevented” or “almost certainly could not have been prevented.” Conclusion The estimated incidence of anaphylaxis and inciting agents among the pediatric population in this study were consistent with the most recent published studies outside of the United States; however, new findings included need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in 11% of cases, and estimated fatality of 1.6%. The management of perioperative anaphylaxis could be improved for some cases as epinephrine was not administered, or its administration was delayed. Fewer than half of reported cases had additional investigation to formally identify the responsible agent.

Introduction:Although the Nuss procedure provides excellent cosmetic results for the correction of pectus excavatum, the provision of analgesia following such procedures can be challenging.Methods:The current study retrospectively reviews our experience over a 2.5 year period with thoracic epidural analgesia (TE), paravertebral blockade (PVB), and intravenous opioids delivered via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to provide postoperative analgesia.Results:The study cohort included 30 patients (mean age = 15.6 ± 1.5 years), 15 of whom were treated with PCA, 8 with TE, and 7 with PVB. There were no significant differences in pain scores between the 3 groups at any time point during the first 3 postoperative days. Compared to PCA, the PVB group had lower opioid consumption over the first 24 hours of hospitalization by 1.7 mg/kg morphine equivalents (95% CI of difference: 0.1, 3.3; p=0.035); but had higher opioid consumption by 2.0 mg/kg morphine equivalents than the TE group (95% CI of difference: 0.3, 3.7; p=0.024). There were no differences in opioid consumption between PVB and PCA or between PVB and TE at 48 or 72 hours. The number of intraoperative hypotension episodes was significantly lower in the PCA group when compared to the PVB group (p=0.001), with no difference between the PVB and TE groups.Conclusions:The use of regional anesthesia should be considered a viable option for the relief of postoperative pain in pediatric patients following the Nuss procedure albeit with a higher incidence of intraoperative hemodynamic effects. A randomized, prospective, study powered to compare all 3 techniques against one another would be necessary to confirm the significance of these findings.

Background Perioperative aspiration, while rare, is a serious complication of anesthetic care. Consequences of aspiration may include physical obstruction, wheezing, and pneumonia, resulting in mild to severe hypoxemia and even death. Aim We used a multi‐institutional registry of pediatric patients to identify factors that influence the rate and resulting harm of perioperative pulmonary aspiration. Methods The Wake Up Safe registry was queried for all severe adverse events reported from 29 institutions from 2010 to 2017. Aspiration events were identified through the “respiratory adverse event” data entry form or through free text search. Multivariable regression was used to predict aspiration events, and contributory factors were identified by reviewing free text case comments. Results Analysis included 2 440 810 anesthetics administered involving patients ≤18 years of age. There were 135 pulmonary aspiration events, for an incidence of 0.006%. Within these 135 cases, 110 cases (82%) resulted in escalation of care and 51 (38%) resulted in patient harm, including 2 deaths (1.5%). In multivariable analysis, patients undergoing emergency surgery (OR 2.0 [1.2‐3.5]) or with higher ASA status were more likely to experience aspiration (ASA 3 (OR 5.0 [2.6‐9.1]); ASA ≥ 4 (OR 5.5 [3.8‐16.8])). Noted causes of aspiration included gastrointestinal comorbid conditions (19%), postcoughing event or laryngospasm (14%), nil per os (NPO) violation (11%), blood or secretions in the airway following or during the procedure (6%), and oral premedication reaction (3%). Conclusion Although infrequent, death was reported as a consequence of perioperative aspiration in two patients. The frequency with which NPO violations were identified as a potential cause of aspiration highlights the struggles institutions face with adherence to NPO regulations, as these cases may be preventable. Furthermore, preventive measures may be needed to address other common causes of aspiration, such as gastrointestinal comorbid conditions.

Summary Background Anesthesia services are frequently provided outside of the traditional operating room environment for children. It is unclear if adverse events which occur in off‐site anesthetizing locations result in more severe outcomes compared to events in traditional operating rooms. Aim We used a multi‐institutional registry of pediatric patients to compare outcomes of perioperative adverse events between location types. Methods De‐identified data from 24 pediatric tertiary care hospitals participating in the Wake Up Safe registry during 2010‐2015 were analyzed. Peri‐procedural adverse events occurring in operating rooms or off‐site locations were included. The primary outcome was whether the adverse event was severe, defined as requiring escalation of care or resulting in temporary or significant harm. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare location type (operating room vs. off‐site) and the likelihood of a severe outcome among reported events. Results There were 1594 adverse events, of which 362 were associated with off‐site anesthetizing locations. In multivariable logistic regression, off‐site location was associated with greater odds of severe adverse event outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval: 1.01, 1.69; P = 0.044). Comparing adverse events in cardiac catheterization suites to events in operating rooms confirmed higher odds of severe outcome in the former group (adjusted odds ratio = 1.48; 95% confidence interval: 1.05, 2.08; P = 0.025), while this difference was not found for other off‐site locations. Conclusion Multivariable analysis of a large registry revealed a greater likelihood of severe outcome for adverse events occurring in cardiac catheterization suites (but not other out of the OR sites), compared to adverse events occurring in the operating room. Additional prospective studies are needed which better control for patient and environmental characteristics and their effect on severe outcomes after anesthesia.

Background: There continues to be focus on the value of regional and neuraxial anesthetic techniques when combined with general anesthesia to improve postoperative analgesia. The reported advantages include decreased postoperative opioid requirements, decreased medication-related adverse effects, decreased hospital length of stay, and increased patient satisfaction. Orthopedic procedures of the hip may be amenable to such techniques as there is significant postoperative pain with the requirement for hospital admission and the administration of parenteral opioids. Given the surgical site, various regional anesthetic techniques may be used to provide analgesia including caudal epidural anesthesia (CEA) or lumbar plexus blockade (LPB). Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of LPB versus CEA as an analgesic thechnique for patients undergoing elective hip surgery from the opioid consumption and pain scores perspective. Patients and methods : The current study retrospectively reviews our experience with CEA and LPB for postoperative analgesia after hip surgery in the pediatric population. Regional anesthesia technique was reviewed as well as opioid requirements and pain scores. Results: The study cohort included 61 patients, 29 who received an LPB and 32 who received CEA. No difference was noted in the demographics between the two groups. Intraoperative opioid use was 0.7 (IQR: 0.5, 1.1) mg/kg of oral morphine equivalents (MEs) in the LPB group compared to 0.6 (IQR: 0.5, 0.9) in the CEA group ( p =0.479). Postoperative opioid use over the first 48 hrs was 4 (IQR: 1, 6) mg/kg of oral ME in the LPB group, compared to 2 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1, 3) in the CEA group ( p =0.103). Over the first 24 hrs after surgery, the median pain score in the LPB group was 5 (IQR: 1–6), compared to 3 (IQR: 0, 5) in the CEA group ( p =0.014). Conclusion: These retrospective data suggest a modest postoperative benefit of CEA when compared to LPB following hip surgery in the pediatric population. Postoperative pain scores were lower in patients receiving CEA; however, no difference in the intraoperative or postoperative opioid requirements was noted between the two groups.

This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT01971645.