Pediatric i-gel(TM) sizes 1.5-2.5 provided a satisfactory airway during anesthesia for spontaneously breathing infants and children. However, to ensure a clear airway, considerable vigilance is required when fixing the device in the mouth and to avoid the negative effects of flexion of the proximal tubing. The i-gel(TM) is more expensive than first-generation devices. Whether this additional cost for the potential benefit of greater airway protection is considered acceptable will depend on longer-time evaluation and surveillance to establish overall safety.

This survey provides a snapshot of current practice and acts a useful reference for the development of enhanced techniques and new equipment in the future.

The 'swoosh' test is a simple and accurate test to confirm successful caudal insertion in children, and is especially useful as a teaching aid for anaesthetists new to the technique.

SummaryUsing a purpose designed set of equipment, the Caudal Extradural Catheter Tray, Oxford Set (B Braun Medical Ltd, Sheffield, UK) we have evaluated the ease of cannulation of the caudal space, and the subsequent success in threading extradural catheters and obtaining satisfactory analgesia via the caudal route. The set was evaluated in 91 children (age range: 1 day to 10 years). Cannulation of the caudal space was achieved in all patients, and catheterisation of the extradural space was successful in 96.7% of patients. Postoperative analgesia was satisfactory in 95% of children who had continuous extradural analgesia. There were no major complications or neurological sequelae associated with using the set. We found the Caudal Extradural Catheter Tray provides the necessary equipment to perform extradural anaesthesia and analgesia safely and successfully in children of a wide age range.

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Introduction:  Caudal extradural anaesthesia (CEA) is a common technique with wide application in paediatric anaesthesia [1]. An ‘on line’ World Wide Web survey of paediatric anaesthetists was undertaken to delineate any differences in the practice of this procedure. Methods:  A web based questionnaire was devised to survey the practice of caudal extradural anaesthesia in children by anaesthetists who were members of the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (APAGBI). The questionnaire was designed to collect information on the experience of the anaesthetist, techniques employed, drugs used and the use of the caudal extradural catheter technique for continuous extradural anaesthesia and analgesia. Results:  E‐mails were sent to 600 anaesthetists and there were 366 useable on‐line replies. The majority of respondents had greater than 5 years of paediatric anaesthetic experience and performed up to ten caudal extradural procedures a month. The commonest device used was a cannula (69.7%) with 68.6% using a 22G device. Those with less than 15 years experience tended to employ a cannula while anaesthetists with greater than 15 years experience favoured a needle technique. Most anaesthetists (91.5%) did not believe that there was a clinically significant risk of implantation of dermoid tissue into the caudal extradural space. The majority of anaesthetists used a combination of clinical methods to confirm correct placement of a needle or cannula and injection of local anaesthetic into the caudal extradural space. Only 27 respondents indicated that they used ultrasound. The local anaesthetic agents used were bupivacaine (43.4%), levobupivacaine (41.7%), ropivacaine (13.4%) and lignocaine (1.5%). A total of 104 anaesthetists used more than one type of local anaesthetic. Drug additives used included clonidine (42.3%), ketamine (37.5%) and opioids (18.1%). The caudal catheter technique was used by 43.6% of anaesthetists. For a single shot caudal injection most anaesthetists (74%) used gloves only with fewer adopting the ‘no touch’ technique (15.2%) or use of glove, gown and mask (10.8%). Anaesthetists with greater than 10 years experience tended to use a ‘no touch’ technique. Discussion:  Caudal extradural anaesthesia is an extremely common technique among those surveyed. Most anaesthetists use a cannula to access the caudal space which is in variance with the description of the technique in the peer review literature. However, the needle technique still tends to be used by anaesthetists with more than 15 years of experience. The majority of anaesthetists concur with the lack of evidence that there is a risk of implantation of dermoid tissue into the caudal extradural space. The anaesthetists surveyed tended to use a combination of simple clinical methods to identify correct placement of local anaesthetic in the caudal space. Ultrasound is rarely used. This may change when ultrasound become more readily available. Despite the greater safety margin of levobupivacaine, bupivacaine is used slight...

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PurposeThis article describes the development of a new reproductive tissue cryopreservation clinical service for children at high risk of infertility in the NHS during times of severe financial constraints in the health service.MethodA development plan with two phases was drawn up. Phase 1 restricted the service to childhood cancer patients referred to the Oxford Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Principle Treatment Centre. It was estimated that there would be 10 patients/year and used existing staff and facilities from paediatric oncology, surgery, anaesthetics radiology, pathology, psychology, teenage–young adult gynaecology, and an existing Human Tissue Authority tissue bank with a licence for storage of tissue under a Human Sector Licence. Phase 2 extended the service to include children and young adults across England, Wales and Ireland—patients from Scotland having access to a research programme in Edinburgh. The main challenge in phase 2 being resources and the need for patients to be able to be treated as close to home as safely as possible.ResultsThe Oxford team developed information resources and eligibility criteria based on published best practice, referral and treatment pathways, multidisciplinary team meetings, a network of third party sites, and a dedicated case management and database. As the programme expanded, the Oxford team was able to justify to management the need for a dedicated theatre list. Patient feedback through questionnaires, qualitative work conducted as part of a Ph.D. thesis as well as direct patient stories and interviews in TV, and radio features underpins the positive impact the programme has on patients and their families.ConclusionThe Oxford Reproductive Cryopreservation programme delivers fertility preservation treatment to children and young adults at high risk of infertility safely, effectively and as close to home as possible. The onward view is to apply for national funding for this programme for recognition and sustainability.