Anesthesia of thoracic surgery in children

Maximum Pain at Rest in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Elective Thoracic Surgery and the Predictors of Moderate-to-Severe Pain-Secondary Data Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Pain management among children following thoracic surgery is an area of significant practice variability. Understanding the risk factors of moderate-to-severe pain intensity will allow for adequate pain relief. The aim of the study was to assess the maximum intensity of pain at rest in pediatric patients within 24 h of thoracic surgery and to investigate the prevalence and predictors of moderate-to-severe pain.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

This is a prospective cohort study of patients in observational and randomized controlled trials following thoracic surgery. A secondary analysis of data was conducted using data collected from 446 patients aged 7-18 years undergoing thoracic surgery. The primary endpoint was maximum pain intensity (Numerical Rating Scale; NRS; range: 0-10) and the secondary endpoint was the prevalence and predictors of moderate-to-severe pain (NRS > 2/10). The median maximum pain in the cohort was 3 [0; 4]. During the immediate postoperative period, 54% of patients reported a maximum NRS > 2/10. The infusion of morphine by an intravenous route (vs. epidural route) was a protective factor against moderate-to-severe pain. Taking into account the findings related to the type of epidural analgesia (vs. intravenous morphine), it was found that only the administration of 0.25% bupivacaine combined with morphine or fentanyl was a protective factor against moderate-to-severe postoperative pain. Patients aged 14-18 years (vs. aged 7-13 years) had an increased risk of reporting pain as moderate-to-severe.

CONCLUSIONS

The route of analgesic administration, type of multimodal analgesia, and patients' age predict moderate-to-severe pain in pediatric patients after thoracic surgery.

[Anesthetic Management in Pediatric Thoracic Surgery]

Pediatric thoracic anesthesia is a challenging task. Specific implications arise from the patients' developmental stage, the disease and the intervention. An interdisciplinary management plan includes relevant factors. The main aspects are airway management, analgesic techniques and cardiorespiratory therapeutic strategies adapted to the underlying pathophysiology. Every step should be designed to provide optimal care. This article provides insight to specific airway, respiratory and regional anesthesia management in pediatric patients.

Anesthesia for thoracic surgery in infants and children

The management of infants and children presenting for thoracic surgery poses a variety of challenges for anesthesiologists. A thorough understanding of the implications of developmental changes in cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology, associated comorbid conditions, and the proposed surgical intervention is essential in order to provide safe and effective clinical care. This narrative review discusses the perioperative anesthetic management of pediatric patients undergoing noncardiac thoracic surgery, beginning with the preoperative assessment. The considerations for the implementation and management of one-lung ventilation (OLV) will be reviewed, and as will the anesthetic implications of different surgical procedures including bronchoscopy, mediastinoscopy, thoracotomy, and thoracoscopy. We will also discuss pediatric-specific disease processes presenting in neonates, infants, and children, with an emphasis on those with unique impact on anesthetic management.

Comparison between pressure-controlled ventilation with volume-guaranteed mode and volume-controlled mode in one-lung ventilation in infants undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND

The appropriate ventilation mode for one-lung ventilation (OLV) in infants undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) remains controversial. Here we investigated the effect of ventilatory mode "pressure-controlled ventilation-volume guaranteed" (PCV-VG) on the airway pressures and oxygenation parameters by comparing it with volume-controlled ventilation (VCV).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of infants aged 2 to 12 months who underwent extratracheal bronchial blockage for OLV in our center between January 2017 and August 2020. The infants were divided into two groups according to the OLV pattern: group G (n=30, receiving PCV-VG) and group V (n=28, receiving VCV). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), maximum inspiratory pressure (P_peak), mean airway pressure (P_mean), dynamic compliance (Cdyn), partial arterial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) was measured and compared between these two groups 10 min before OLV (T1), 30 min after the onset of OLV (T2) and 15 min after OLV (T3). The possible occurrence of hypoxemia and hypotension during OLV was monitored.

RESULTS

Compared to group V, group G had significantly higher PaO₂and C_dyn (both P<0.05) and significantly lower P_peak and P_mean (both P<0.05) in T2. However, all indicators did not show significant differences between these two groups at T1 and T3 (all P>0.05). The incidence of hypoxemia was significantly higher in group V than in group G (P<0.05), while the difference in the incidence of hypotension was not statistically significant (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanical ventilation using the PCV-VG mode is possible in infants when performing OLV during VATS. Compared to VCV, PCV-VG can offer lower P_peak and P_mean, improve lung compliance, and achieve better oxygenation.

Epidural analgesia versus intravenous analgesia after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum in pediatric patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Postoperative pain control after the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) is essential, but there is a controversy about a better analgesic method between epidural and intravenous (IV) analgesia. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the effect of epidural versus IV analgesia following MIRPE.

Methods

We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register, and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomized control trials (RCTs) dated up to 31st May 2021. The primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) of the weighted mean visual analog scale (VAS) after MIRPE. The secondary outcomes were postoperative nausea, operation time, total operating room time, and postoperative length of hospital stay.

Results

Four RCTs involving 243 patients were finally included in this meta-analysis. The AUC of the weighted mean VAS was 343.62 in the epidural group and 375.24 in IV group. Epidural group showed lower VAS than IV group at 12 hours (mean difference -0.99 [95% CI: -1.52, -0.47], P = 0.001, I2 = 0%), at 24 hours (mean difference -0.65 [95% CI: -1.15, -0.16], P = 0.009, I2 = 0%), and 48 hours (mean difference -0.81 [95% CI: -1.61, -0.01], P = 0.046, I2 = 46%) after the surgery.

Conclusion

Epidural analgesia after the MIRPE had a better analgesic effect than IV analgesia from 12 hours to 48 hours after surgery, and AUC of VAS was lower in the epidural group. However, IV analgesia may also be a viable option, and physicians should wisely choose analgesic modalities after MIRPE.

Development of a Structured Regional Analgesia Program for Postoperative Pain Management

OBJECTIVES

We pursued the use of regional analgesia (RA) to minimize the use of postoperative opioids. Our aim was to increase the use of postoperative RA for eligible surgical procedures in the NICU from 0% to 80% by June 30, 2019.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary team determined the eligibility criteria, developed an extensive process map, implemented comprehensive education, and a structured process for communication of postoperative pain management plans. Daily pain team rounds provided an opportunity for collaborative comanagement. An additional 30 minutes for catheter placement was added in operating room (OR) scheduling so that it would not affect the surgeon OR time.

RESULTS

There were 21 eligible surgeries in the baseline period and 34 in the intervention period. In total, 30 of 34 infants in eligible surgeries (88%) received RA. The average total opioid exposure in intravenous morphine milligram equivalents decreased from 5.0 to 1.1 mg/kg in the intervention group. The average time to extubation was 45 hours in the baseline period and 19.9 hours in the intervention group. After interventions, 75% of infants were extubated in the OR, as compared with 10.5% in the baseline period. No difference was seen in postoperative pain scores or postoperative hypothermia between the baseline and intervention groups.

CONCLUSIONS

We used quality improvement methodology to develop a structured RA program. We demonstrated a significant reduction in opioid requirements and need for mechanical ventilation postoperatively for those infants who received RA. Our findings support safe and effective use of RA, and provide a framework for implementation of a similar program.

Anesthesia Practice: Review of Perioperative Management of H-Type Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a rare congenital developmental anomaly, affecting 1 in 2500-3000 live births. The H-type TEF, consisting of a fistula between the trachea and a patent esophagus, is one of the rare anatomic subtypes, accounting for 4% of all TEFs. The presentation and perioperative management of neonates with H-type TEFs and all other TEFs are very similar to each other. Patients present with congenital heart disease and other defects and are prone to recurrent aspirations. A barium esophagogram or computed tomography of the chest is a common means to the diagnosis, and surgical repair is carried out through either a cervical approach or a right thoracotomy. During operation, anesthetic management is focused on preventing positive pressure ventilation through the fistula in an attempt to minimize gastric distension. For patients with H-type TEFs, because of the patent esophagus, symptoms are often less severe and nonspecific, resulting in subtle yet important differences in their diagnostic workup and management. This review will cover the finer details in the diagnosis and perioperative anesthetic management of TEF patients and clarify how H-type TEF distinguishes itself from the other anatomic subtypes.

Precise anesthesia in thoracoscopic operations

Purpose of review

The current review focuses on precise anesthesia for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with the goal of enhanced recovery.

Recent findings

VATS has become an established and widely used minimally invasive approach with broad implementation on a variety of thoracic operations. In the current environment of enhanced recovery protocols and cost containment, minimally invasive VATS operations suggest adoption of individualized tailored, precise anesthesia. In addition to a perfect lung collapse for surgical interventions with adequate oxygenation during one lung ventilation, anesthesia goals include a rapid, complete recovery with adequate postoperative analgesia leading to early discharge and minimized costs related to postoperative inpatient services. The components and decisions related to precise anesthesia are reviewed and discussed including: letting patients remain awake versus general anesthesia, whether the patient should be intubated or not, operating with or without muscle relaxation, whether to use different separation devises, operating with different local and regional blocks and monitors.

Conclusion

The determining factors in designing a precise anesthesic for VATS operations involve consensus on patients’ tolerance of the associated side effects, the best practice or techniques for surgery and anesthesia, the required postoperative support, and the care team's experience.