Epidural analgesia compared with intravenous analgesia after pediatric posterior spinal fusion.

Background: Pain management remains challenging for pediatric patients after posterior spinal fusion (PSF). This study compares the effectiveness of hydromorphone and bupivacaine administered through patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with hydromorphone patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (IV-PCA) in this population.

Methods: Patients aged 8 to 18 years undergoing PSF for idiopathic scoliosis were randomized to receive either PCEA (0.

The prevalence of and risk factors for adverse events in children receiving patient-controlled analgesia by proxy or patient-controlled analgesia after surgery.

Background: Recent reports emphasize the risks associated with patient-controlled analgesia by proxy (PCA-P), yet data regarding such risks in children remain sparse. We compared the prevalence of clinically significant adverse events in children receiving PCA-P versus PCA, and examined factors that place children at increased risk.

Methods: The records were reviewed of opioid-naïve children, ages birth to 18 yr, who received PCA or PCA-P after surgery.

Incidence and risk factors for perioperative adverse respiratory events in children who are obese.

Background: Consistent with the increasing prevalence of obesity in the United States and many countries worldwide, anesthesiologists are now presented with a greater number of adult and pediatric patients who are significantly overweight. This prospective study was designed to examine the relation between age-adjusted body mass index, preoperative comorbidities, and perioperative outcome in children.

Methods: Children aged 2-18 yr undergoing noncardiac elective procedures were classified as overweight or obese based on their age- and sex-adjusted body mass index.

A survey of obstetric complications and pregnancy outcomes in paediatric and nonpaediatric anaesthesiologists.

Background: Obstetric complications such as spontaneous abortion, preterm labour, preterm delivery, low birth weight and congenital anomalies may be associated with exposure to anaesthetic gases. We hypothesized that female anaesthesiologists practicing primarily paediatric anaesthesia, with increased exposure to trace anaesthetic agents, experience a greater prevalence of obstetric complications than female anaesthesiologists performing primarily adult anaesthesia.

Methods: Questionnaires were sent to all female Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA) members and to an equal number of randomly selected female American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) members.