Extubation of children in the operating theatre

Lateral versus supine position for tracheal extubation among infants after intraabdominal surgery: A randomised controlled trial

In this prospective randomised controlled trial, we compared the impact of the lateral versus supine position for tracheal extubation among infants aged two months to two years after intraabdominal surgery on the incidence of respiratory adverse events that may occur after extubation. The anaesthesia protocol was standardised. Among the 120 infants included (60 in each group), the demographic and perioperative data were comparable between both groups. The incidence of perioperative respiratory adverse events after tracheal extubation was 21.6% and 5% in the supine and lateral position groups, respectively, with p = 0.007 and odds ratio = 3.87; 95% confidence interval: 1.18-12.6. Lateral position also reduced the incidence of airway obstruction with p = 0.004 and odds ratio = 11.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.46-95.3 and oxygen desaturation below 92% with p = 0.008 and odds ratio = 11.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.46-95. The lateral position seems to be practical and beneficial for tracheal extubation among infants.

Efficacy of endotracheal tube cuff lignocaine in the prevention of postextubation cough in children undergoing elective surgeries - A randomised controlled trial

Background and Aims

Postextubation airway complications are more common in paediatric patients than in adults. Intravenous lignocaine effectively prevents extubation response; however, data on using intracuff lignocaine in microcuff endotracheal tubes is scarce. The primary aim of this study was to compare the incidence of postextubation cough between intracuff lignocaine and intracuff air in the paediatric population during tracheal extubation.

Methods

This randomised controlled study was conducted in 120 paediatric patients aged 1 month to 12 years who were scheduled to undergo surgeries under general anaesthesia. They were randomised to Group C (intracuff air) and Group L (intracuff 2% lignocaine). After administering general anaesthesia, the airway was secured with an age-appropriate microcuff endotracheal tube. According to groups, the cuff was inflated with air or lignocaine to achieve a cuff pressure of 10 cm H2O. Incidences of cough, desaturation, laryngospasm, apnoea and haemodynamic changes were recorded after tracheal extubation. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, and continuous variables were compared using the Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Intergroup differences between the variables were analysed by a two-way repeated measure analysis of variance.

Results

The incidence of postextubation cough was significantly higher in Group C [17 (28.3%) (confidence interval {CI} = 17.4-41.4)] when compared to Group L [8 (13.3%) (CI = 5.9-24.6)], with P = 0.043. One patient in Group C had laryngospasm compared to none in Group L. In Group C, there was also a significant increase in heart rate at all time points (1-5 min after extubation) from the baseline, and this increase was also significantly higher when compared to Group L (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The incidence of postextubation cough was significantly lower with intracuff lignocaine compared to that with intracuff air in paediatric patients.

Smooth Emergence from General Anesthesia after Deep Extubation in a Pediatric Patient Diagnosed with Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia: A Case Report

Background: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare genetic disorder where catecholamine causes bidirectional ventricular tachycardia, potentially leading to cardiac arrest. In patients undergoing surgery, sympathetic responses can be triggered in situations associated with surgical stimulations as well as high anxiety before the surgery, anesthetic maneuvers such as endotracheal intubation and extubation, and postoperative pain. Therefore, planning for surgery demands meticulous attention to anesthesia during the perioperative period in order to prevent potentially life-threatening arrhythmias. Case: We discuss a case of an 11-year-old male pediatric patient with known CPVT who required elective strabismus surgery for exotropia involving both eyes. After thorough planning of general anesthesia to minimize catecholamine response, sufficient anesthesia and analgesia were achieved to blunt the stressful response during intubation and maintained throughout the surgical procedure. Complete emergence was achieved after deep extubation, and the patient did not complain of pain or postoperative nausea and vomiting. Conclusions: Anesthesiologists should not only be able to plan and manage the catecholamine response during surgery but also anticipate and be prepared for situations that may lead to arrhythmias before and after the procedure. In certain cases, deep extubation can be beneficial as it reduces hemodynamic changes during the extubation process.