Imaging techniques for regional nerve blockade and vascular cannulation in children

Abstract

Outcomes for paediatric patients undergoing anaesthesia have improved over the years as a result of advances in monitoring and equipment, safer and more easily titratable anaesthetic agents, and possibly the practice of subspecialization. Preventable complications still, however, occur. An awareness of frequently encountered complications during paediatric anaesthesia may lead to the earlier detection and treatment of perioperative problems, leading to better outcomes.

Perioperative morbidity and mortality in the first year of life: a systematic review (1997–2012)

“…28 Some authors recommend the use of ultrasound to increase the technique safety. 28 A common clinical implication to several studies in the literature, whether directed to pediatric anesthesia mortality or morbidity, is the guidance that pediatric anesthesia, especially for younger children, should be performed by anesthesiologists with experience in this age group. 1,4---6,12,14,22,29 The global data analysis of pediatric cases of broader age groups is not necessarily applicable to anesthesia in the neonatal period and before the first year of age.…”

Neuromuscular and mitochondrial disorders: what is relevant to the anaesthesiologist?

“…Despite the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) warning against the administration of succinylcholine in young children and adolescents in 1992, it continues to be used widely, particularly when a rapid onset and/or offset of muscle relaxation are desirable. However, it is still one of the common causes of paediatric cardiac arrest during anaesthesia [6]. It is advisable to reserve succinylcholine for emergency intubation or when immediate securing of the airway is necessary [6] and to avoid it in patients with aetiologic factors for upregulation.…”

Preterm Versus Term Children: Analysis of Sedation/Anesthesia Adverse Events and Longitudinal Risk

“…Previous publications have demonstrated that preterm children, children under the age of 3 years, and those with significant comorbidities are at increased risk for the development of adverse events related to sedation/ anesthesia. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Moreover, preterm children <60 weeks postgestational age who receive anesthesia are at increased risk for the development of apnea after anesthesia. [12][13][14] It is unknown if preterm and former preterm children receiving sedation/ anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures outside of the operating room experience the same adverse sedation/anesthesia events as children born at term.…”