Peri-operative red blood cell transfusion in neonates and infants: NEonate and Children audiT of Anaesthesia pRactice IN Europe: A prospective European multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND: Little is known about current clinical practice concerning peri-operative red blood cell transfusion in neonates and small infants. Guidelines suggest transfusions based on haemoglobin thresholds ranging from 8.5 to 12 g dl-1, distinguishing between children from birth to day 7 (week 1), from day 8 to day 14 (week 2) or from day 15 (≥week 3) onwards. OBJECTIVE: To observe peri-operative red blood cell transfusion practice according to guidelines in relation to patient outcome. DESIGN: A multicentre observational study. SETTING: The NEonate-Children sTudy of Anaesthesia pRactice IN Europe (NECTARINE) trial recruited patients up to 60 weeks' postmenstrual age undergoing anaesthesia for surgical or diagnostic procedures from 165 centres in 31 European countries between March 2016 and January 2017. PATIENTS: The data included 5609 patients undergoing 6542 procedures. Inclusion criteria was a peri-operative red blood cell transfusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was the haemoglobin level triggering a transfusion for neonates in week 1, week 2 and week 3. Secondary endpoints were transfusion volumes, 'delta haemoglobin' (preprocedure - transfusion-triggering) and 30-day and 90-day morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Peri-operative red blood cell transfusions were recorded during 447 procedures (6.9%). The median haemoglobin levels triggering a transfusion were 9.6 [IQR 8.7 to 10.9] g dl-1 for neonates in week 1, 9.6 [7.7 to 10.4] g dl-1 in week 2 and 8.0 [7.3 to 9.0] g dl-1 in week 3. The median transfusion volume was 17.1 [11.1 to 26.4] ml kg-1 with a median delta haemoglobin of 1.8 [0.0 to 3.6] g dl-1. Thirty-day morbidity was 47.8% with an overall mortality of 11.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate lower transfusion-triggering haemoglobin thresholds in clinical practice than suggested by current guidelines. The high morbidity and mortality of this NECTARINE sub-cohort calls for investigative action and evidence-based guidelines addressing peri-operative red blood cell transfusions strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02350348

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Extended Thymectomy in Myasthenic Children

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease marked by weakness of voluntary musculature. Medical and surgical therapy of adult myasthenia is well documented. There is little pediatric surgical evidence, only a few case reports being available. The aim of this paper is to verify whether the surgical and anesthesiological techniques can warrant an early and safe discharge from the operating room. The secondary aim is to assess the presence of perioperative indicators that can eventually be used as predictors of postoperative care. During the years 2006-2009, 10 pediatric patients were treated according to a surgical approach based on video assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (VATET). Standard preoperative evaluation is integrated with functional respiratory tests. Anesthetic induction was made with propofol and fentanyl/remifentanyl and maintenance was obtained with sevoflurane/desflurane/propofol ± remifentanyl. A muscle relaxant was used in only one patient. Right or left double-lumen bronchial tube (Ruesch Bronchopart® Carlens) placement was performed. Six patients were transferred directly to the surgical ward while 4 were discharged to the intensive care unit (ICU); ICU stay was no longer than 24 h. Length of hospital stay was 4.4±0.51 days. No patient was readmitted to the hospital and no surgical complications were reported. Volatile and intravenous anesthetics do not affect ventilator weaning, extubation or the postoperative course. Paralyzing agents are not totally contraindicated, especially if short-lasting agents are used with neuromuscular monitoring devices and new reversal drugs. Perioperative evaluation of the myasthenic patient is mandatory to assess the need for postoperative respiratory support and also predict timely extubation with early transfer to the surgical department. Availability of new drugs and of reversal drugs, the current practice of mini-invasive surgical techniques, and the availability of post anesthesia care units are the keys to the safety and successful prognosis of patients affected by MG who undergo thymectomy

Time course of cytokines, hemodynamic and metabolic parameters during hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Systemic response to cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) causes the activation of endocrine, metabolic, hemodynamic and inflammatory processes. The aim of this work is to describe and analyze the time course of the inflammatory markers concentration during CRS+HIPEC in plasma and peritoneal fluids and the association with hemodynamic and metabolic parameters

Time course of cytokines, hemodynamic and metabolic parameters during hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Background: Systemic response to cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) causes the activation of endocrine, metabolic, hemodynamic and inflammatory processes. The aim of this work is to describe and analyze the time course of the inflammatory markers concentration during CRS+HIPEC in plasma and peritoneal fluids and the association with hemodynamic and metabolic parameters. Methods: Pre-, intra- and postoperative data were collected. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukine 6 (IL-6), pro-calcitonin (PCT), cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) in blood and in peritoneal fluids were evaluated. Results: Thirty-eight patients were included, 29 (76.3%) of them were female. Mean/median PCI was 9.2/5, primary malignancy was 5 colorectal cancer (13.2%), 5 gastric cancer (13.2%), 23 ovarian cancer (60.5%) and 5 other malignancies (13.2%). Combined clinical risk 0-1 was reached in all patients. Cardiac index, heart rate and central venous pressure increased during the procedure, while stroke volume variation showed a decrease. Mean arterial pressure and superior vena cava oxygenation were stable throughout the whole procedure. TNF and CA-125 were steady during the whole procedure; IL-6 had a relevant increase from baseline to start of perfusion (P<0.01); PCT had a steady increase at every time point. Peritoneal sampling showed a statistically significant increase (P<0.01) between start and end of the perfusion phase for all markers but TNF. Serum and peritoneal marker concentration were similar for TNF, PCT and CA-125. IL-6 showed a sharp difference. Conclusions: The most significant variations were in IL-6 and PCT levels. The cytokines level parallels the hemodynamic derangements. Treatment during HIPEC should mimic the established treatment during sepsis and septic shock

Time course of cytokines, hemodynamic and metabolic parameters during hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Systemic response to cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) causes the activation of endocrine, metabolic, hemodynamic and inflammatory processes. The aim of this work is to describe and analyze the time course of the inflammatory markers concentration during CRS+HIPEC in plasma and peritoneal fluids and the association with hemodynamic and metabolic parameters

Morbidity and mortality after anesthesia in early life in Italy. A subgroup analysis of the NECTARINE Trial

Background: Recent literature on neonatal anesthesia focuses on the importance of keeping physiology within the ranges of normality to improve the long-term neurological outcome. The Neonate and Children audit of Anesthesia pRactice IN Europe (NECTARINE) showed a derangement of one or more than one physiological parameters during anesthesia needing a medical intervention in 35.2% of 6592 anesthesia procedure performed in infants up to 60 weeks postmenstrual age. Methods: Subanalysis of the Italian NECTARINE cohort providing a snapshot of anesthesia management, incidence of clinical events requiring intervention during anesthesia, and morbidity and mortality at 30 and 90 days. Secondary aim was to compare outcomes between Italy and Europe. Results: Twenty-three Italian centers recruited 501 patients (63% male, 37% female) undergoing 611 procedures (441 surgical and 170 non-surgical) with a mean gestational age at birth of 38 weeks. Events requiring a medical intervention during anesthesia occurred in 177 cases (28.9%), lower than those reported in Europe (35.3%). The majority of events concerned episodes of cardiovascular instability, most commonly due to hypotension. The incidence of mortality at 30 days was 2.7%, consistent with the European incidence. Conclusions: Anesthetizing neonates is challenging. It is crucial that neonatal anesthesia practice is performed in specialized centers to maximize the potential positive outcome. We recommend a certification of quality for Institutions providing care for very young patients

Predictors of Failure of Awake Regional Anesthesia for Neonatal Hernia Repair: Data from the General Anesthesia Compared to Spinal Anesthesia Study-Comparing Apnea and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Background: Awake regional anesthesia (RA) is a viable alternative to general anesthesia (GA) for infants undergoing lower abdominal surgery. Benefits include lower incidence of postoperative apnea and avoidance of anesthetic agents that may increase neuroapoptosis and worsen neurocognitive outcomes. The General Anesthesia compared to Spinal anesthesia study compares neurodevelopmental outcomes after awake RA or GA in otherwise healthy infants. The aim of the study is to describe success and failure rates of RA and report factors associated with failure. Methods: This was a nested cohort study within a prospective, randomized, controlled, observer-blind, equivalence trial. Seven hundred twenty-two infants 60 weeks or less postmenstrual age scheduled for herniorrhaphy under anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive RA (spinal, caudal epidural, or combined spinal caudal anesthetic) or GA with sevoflurane. The data of 339 infants, where spinal or combined spinal caudal anesthetic was attempted, were analyzed. Possible predictors of failure were assessed including patient factors, technique, experience of site and anesthetist, and type of local anesthetic. Results: RA was sufficient for the completion of surgery in 83.2% of patients. Spinal anesthesia was successful in 86.9% of cases and combined spinal caudal anesthetic in 76.1%. Thirty-four patients required conversion to GA, and an additional 23 patients (6.8%) required brief sedation. Bloody tap on the first attempt at lumbar puncture was the only risk factor significantly associated with block failure (odds ratio = 2.46). Conclusions: The failure rate of spinal anesthesia was low. Variability in application of combined spinal caudal anesthetic limited attempts to compare the success of this technique to spinal alone

Apnea after Awake Regional and General Anesthesia in Infants:The General Anesthesia Compared to Spinal Anesthesia Study-Comparing Apnea and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes, a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Postoperative apnea is a complication in young infants. Awake regional anesthesia (RA) may reduce the risk; however, the evidence is weak. The General Anesthesia compared to Spinal anesthesia study is a randomized, controlled trial designed to assess the influence of general anesthesia (GA) on neurodevelopment. A secondary aim is to compare rates of apnea after anesthesia. Methods: Infants aged 60 weeks or younger, postmenstrual age scheduled for inguinal herniorrhaphy, were randomized to RA or GA. Exclusion criteria included risk factors for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome and infants born less than 26 weeks gestation. The primary outcome of this analysis was any observed apnea up to 12 h postoperatively. Apnea assessment was unblinded. Results: Three hundred sixty-three patients were assigned to RA and 359 to GA. Overall, the incidence of apnea (0 to 12 h) was similar between arms (3% in RA and 4% in GA arms; odds ratio [OR], 0.63; 95% CI, 0.31 to 1.30, P = 0.2133); however, the incidence of early apnea (0 to 30 min) was lower in the RA arm (1 vs. 3%; OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.91; P = 0.0367). The incidence of late apnea (30 min to 12 h) was 2% in both RA and GA arms (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.41 to 3.33; P = 0.7688). The strongest predictor of apnea was prematurity (OR, 21.87; 95% CI, 4.38 to 109.24), and 96% of infants with apnea were premature. Conclusions: RA in infants undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy reduces apnea in the early postoperative period. Cardiorespiratory monitoring should be used for all ex-premature infants.</p

Apnea after Awake Regional and General Anesthesia in Infants : The General Anesthesia Compared to Spinal Anesthesia Study-Comparing Apnea and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes, a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Postoperative apnea is a complication in young infants. Awake regional anesthesia (RA) may reduce the risk; however, the evidence is weak. The General Anesthesia compared to Spinal anesthesia study is a randomized, controlled trial designed to assess the influence of general anesthesia (GA) on neurodevelopment. A secondary aim is to compare rates of apnea after anesthesia. Methods: Infants aged 60 weeks or younger, postmenstrual age scheduled for inguinal herniorrhaphy, were randomized to RA or GA. Exclusion criteria included risk factors for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome and infants born less than 26 weeks gestation. The primary outcome of this analysis was any observed apnea up to 12 h postoperatively. Apnea assessment was unblinded. Results: Three hundred sixty-three patients were assigned to RA and 359 to GA. Overall, the incidence of apnea (0 to 12 h) was similar between arms (3% in RA and 4% in GA arms; odds ratio [OR], 0.63; 95% CI, 0.31 to 1.30, P = 0.2133); however, the incidence of early apnea (0 to 30 min) was lower in the RA arm (1 vs. 3%; OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.91; P = 0.0367). The incidence of late apnea (30 min to 12 h) was 2% in both RA and GA arms (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.41 to 3.33; P = 0.7688). The strongest predictor of apnea was prematurity (OR, 21.87; 95% CI, 4.38 to 109.24), and 96% of infants with apnea were premature. Conclusions: RA in infants undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy reduces apnea in the early postoperative period. Cardiorespiratory monitoring should be used for all ex-premature infants