Sedation and analgesia for critically ill children

Long-term efficacy and safety of repeated botulinum toxin a applications based on function and anesthesia type in children with cerebral palsy

PURPOSE

This study evaluates the motor development of patients undergoing three or more repeated Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) applications in a tertiary pediatric hospital as well as the safety of three different types of anesthesia.

METHODS

Seventy-five children who underwent BoNT-A applications at least three consecutive times at six-month intervals and a total of 320 procedures were examined. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was employed in motor development evaluation. The three anesthesia methods (sedation analgesia, anesthesia with larengeal mask [LMA] and inhalation mask) were compared in terms of sedation, procedure, recovery, and total operation room time.

RESULTS

Following the procedures, significant motor development was observed in 60 (80%) patients. In sedation analgesia group during the first three procedures, the recovery time was seen to be significantly shorter, while there was no difference between the anesthesia methods of any procedures following the fourth. Regardless of the type of anesthesia, the recovery times of those having undergone six or more procedures were longer than those with less than six procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

As repeated BoNT-A application provides motor step progress, it can be applied safely and effectively under anesthesia. Sedation analgesia provides an easier recovery compared to LMA and mask only within the first three applications. However, recovery time increases with four or more repeated applications, specifically increasing as the number of applications increases.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Safety and effectiveness of parent- or nurse-controlled analgesia in neonates: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review was to determine the safety and effectiveness of parent- or nurse-controlled analgesia on neonatal patient outcomes. More specifically, the objective was to determine the effect of parent- or nurse-controlled analgesia on neonatal pain scores, analgesic use, and incidence of iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome, as well as any opioid-associated adverse events.

INTRODUCTION

Despite recent innovations in neonatology leading to significant improvements in short- and long-term outcomes for newborns requiring intensive care, optimal management of pain and distress remains a challenge for the treating multidisciplinary team. The inability of neonates to communicate pain easily, inconsistent practice among health professionals, insufficient analgesic prescriptions, and delays in medical reviews all impact effective pain management. Exploring the effect of parent- or nurse-controlled analgesia may identify a modality that negates these concerns and improves the pharmacological management of pain in newborns.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

This review considered experimental and observational studies evaluating the safety and effectiveness of parent- or nurse-controlled analgesia that included babies born at 23 weeks' gestation to four weeks post-term. The interventions considered for inclusion were any type of analgesia delivered by an infusion pump that allowed bolus dosing or a continuous analgesic infusion with bolus dosing as required. Studies using algorithms and protocols to guide timing and dosage were eligible for inclusion. Comparators included the standard management of pain for neonates in the newborn intensive care unit. A modification to the a priori protocol was made to include all neonates nursed outside of a neonatal intensive care unit to ensure all studies that examined the use of parent- or nurse-controlled analgesia in the neonatal population were included in the review.

METHODS

An extensive search of six major databases was conducted (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science). Studies published from 1997 to 2020 in English were considered for inclusion in this review. Databases searched for unpublished studies included MedNar and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were included in this review: two randomized controlled trials, six quasi-experimental studies, one case-control study, and five case series. There was considerable heterogeneity in the interventions and study outcome measures within the studies, resulting in an inability to statistically pool results. The small sample sizes and inability to distinguish data specific to neonates in six of the studies resulted in low quality of evidence for the safety and effectiveness of parent- or nurse-controlled analgesia in neonates. However, studies reporting neonatal data demonstrated low pain scores and a trend in reduced opioid consumption when parent- or nurse-controlled analgesia was used.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of parent- or nurse-controlled analgesia in the neonatal population has shown some effect in reducing the amount of opioid analgesia required without compromising pain relief or increasing the risk of adverse events. Due to the paucity of evidence available, certainty of the results is compromised; therefore, larger trials exploring the use of parent- or nurse-controlled analgesia in neonates and the development of nurse-led models for analgesia delivery are needed.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42018114382.

The impact of introducing nurse-led analgesia and sedation guidelines in ventilated infants following cardiac surgery

INTRODUCTION

Enhanced clinical outcomes in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit following standardisation of analgesia and sedation practice are reported. Little is known about the impact of standardisation of analgesia and sedation practice including incorporation of a validated distress assessment instrument on infants post cardiac surgery, a subset of whom have Trisomy 21. This study investigated whether the parallel introduction of nurse-led analgesia and sedation guidelines including regular distress assessment would impact on morphine administered to infants post cardiac surgery, and whether any differences observed would be amplified within the Trisomy 21 population.

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective single centre before/after study design was used. Patients aged between 44 weeks postconceptual age and one year old who had open cardiothoracic surgery were included.

RESULTS

61 patients before and 64 patients after the intervention were included. After the intervention, a reduction in the amount of morphine administered was not evident, while greater use of adjuvant sedatives and analgesics was observed. Patients with Trisomy 21 had a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation after the change in practice.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this study affirm the importance of the nurses' role in managing prescribed analgesia and sedation supported by best available evidence. A continued education and awareness focus on analgesia and sedation management in the pursuit of best patient care is imperative.

Validation of the Greek Version of Comfort-B, FLACC, and BPS Scales in Critically Ill Children and Their Association with Clinical Severity

BACKGROUND

A variety of valid pediatric pain assessment tools are used in clinical practice globally; however, none have been validated for use in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Greece. Furthermore, the association between pain behavioral responses and clinical status is unclear.

AIMS

To assess the reliability and validity of the Greek version of FLACC, Comfort B, and BPS pain scales in critically ill children and to explore their association with clinical severity (Denver MOF, PMODS) and levels of sedation and analgesia.

METHODS

A methodological and descriptive correlational study was performed in a 6-bed PICU. A total of 60 observations in a sample of 30 children (mean age 4.1 years; 63.3% male) were obtained by 2 independent nurses during rest and painful procedures. At the same time, the bedside nurse assessed the child's pain intensity using the VASobs.

RESULTS

High internal consistency and strong interrater reliability were detected (Cronbach's alpha ≥ .85; ICC > .95, p < .001). The agreement between observers was satisfactory (0.71 ≤ Kappa ≤ 0.96, p < .001). Strong correlations were found among the scales (0.65 ≤ rho ≤0 .98, p < .05). Increased pain scores (≥moderate pain) were observed during painful procedures regardless the administration of analgesia. Statistically significant correlations were found between clinical severity and the FLACC and Comfort B scores (-0.577 ≤ rho ≤ -0.384, p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

These pain tools were found to be suitable for this sample of children in Greece. Wider application of these tools in Greek PICUs and further research regarding their association with the clinical severity and the pain responses is required for the improvement of pain management in critically ill children.