Anesthetic management of thoracoscopic procedures in neonates: a retrospective analysis of 45 cases

Surgical management of the diaphragmatic defect in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a contemporary review

Worldwide, 150 children are born each day with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a diaphragmatic defect with concomitant abnormal lung development. Patients with CDH with large defects are particularly challenging to treat, have the highest mortality, and are at significant risk of long-term complications. Advances in prenatal and neonatal treatments have improved survival in high-risk patients with CDH, but surgical treatment of large defects lacks standardization. Open repair by an abdominal approach has long been considered the traditional procedure, but the type of defect repair (patch or muscle flap) and patch material (non-absorbable, synthetic or absorbable, biological) remain subjects of debate. Increased experience and improved techniques in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) have expanded selection criteria for thoracoscopic defect repair in cardiopulmonary stable patients with small defects. However, the application of MIS to repair large defects remains controversial due to increased recurrence rates and unknown long-term effects of perioperative hypercapnia and acidosis resulting from capnothorax and reduced ventilation. Current recommendations on the surgical management rely on cohort studies of varying patient numbers and data on the long-term outcomes are sparse. Here, we discuss surgical approaches for diaphragmatic defect repair highlighting advancements, and knowledge gaps in surgical techniques (open surgery and MIS), patch materials and muscle flaps for large defects, as well as procedural adjuncts and management of CDH variants.

Effect of different mechanical ventilation modes on cerebral blood flow during thoracoscopic surgery in neonates: A randomised controlled trial

Background and Aims:

Infants exposed to major surgery are at risk of injuries to the immature brain because of reduced arterial oxygen saturation. This study compared the effect of volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) versus pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) on cerebral oxygenation in neonates subjected to repair of tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) under video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

Methods:

This randomised controlled study included 30 full-term neonates scheduled for VATS for managing TEF under general anaesthesia. They were randomised to either VC group (n = 15), who received VCV, or PC group (n = 15), who received PCV. Cerebral oxygenation (rScO₂) was monitored throughout the surgery with documentation of episodes of cerebral desaturation. Peripheral oxygen saturation, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂), and end-tidal carbon dioxide were recorded at baseline, after induction of anaesthesia, and every 30 min till the end of the surgery.

Results:

rScO₂ was significantly higher in the PC group than the VC group at baseline and was significantly higher in the VC group after 15 min (P = 0.041). Later, it was comparable in both the groups up to 60 min after starting the surgery. Cerebral desaturation was significantly more common in the PC group (80%) compared to VC group (33.3%) (P = 0.010). PC group required higher fraction of inspired oxygen and positive end-expiratory pressure to prevent cerebral desaturation. PaCO₂ was significantly higher in the PC group than the VC group at 30 and 60 min (P = 0.005 and 0.029).

Conclusion:

VCV is safer than PCV for cerebral oxygenation during VATS in neonates.