The effect of cisatracurium and rocuronium on lung function in anesthetized children.

Background: Neuromuscular blocking drugs have been implicated in intraoperative bronchoconstrictive episodes. We examined the effects of clinically relevant doses of cisatracurium and rocuronium on the lung mechanics of pediatric subjects. We hypothesized that cisatracurium and rocuronium would have bronchoconstrictive effects.

Effects on lung function of multiple expansion thoracoplasty in children with thoracic insufficiency syndrome: a longitudinal study.

Study Design: Longitudinal study of intraoperative pulmonary function in young children with thoracic hypoplasia and scoliosis undergoing multiple expansion thoracoplasty using the vertical expandable prosthetic titanium ribs (VEPTRs).

Objective: To test the long-term efficacy of VEPTR multiple expansion thoracoplasty.

Summary Of Background Data: To our knowledge, no direct measurements of pulmonary function have been reported with VEPTR expansion thoracoplasty.

The future of the cuffed endotracheal tube.

It has been traditionally taught that only uncuffed endotracheal tubes (ETTs) should be used for intubation in children younger than 8, or even 10, years old. However, recent literature suggests that the advantages of using uncuffed ETTs in children may be just another myth of paediatric anaesthesia. Using an uncuffed ETT does allow a tube of larger internal diameter to be used, minimizing resistance to airflow and the work of breathing in the patient who is breathing spontaneously.

The effect on lung mechanics in anesthetized children with rapacuronium: a comparative study with mivacurium.

Unlabelled: The administration of rapacuronium increases the risk of severe bronchospasm. There have been no studies of pulmonary function directly demonstrating airway constriction with rapacuronium in children. In this study, 10 ASA physical status I or II patients (aged 2-6 yr) were randomly divided into 2 equal groups, receiving either rapacuronium or mivacurium.

Predicting recovery from deep neuromuscular block by rocuronium in children and adults.

Study Objective: To compare the response to motor nerve stimulation at a rate of 1 Hz after 50 Hz tetanus [posttetanic count (PTC)] and 2 Hz for 2 seconds [train-of-four (TOF)] in children and adults during spontaneous recovery from blockade caused by rocuronium.

Design: Prospective, clinical, observational, multicenter study.

Setting: Operating rooms of two university hospitals.

Neuromuscular blocking drugs in pediatric anesthesia.

There are differences between pediatric patients and adults in the responses to neuromuscular blockers. The results of new studies of neuromuscular blockers in pediatric patients are generally consistent with earlier studies in the type of age-related differences documented. Surprising new results are the side effects, including anaphylaxis, that have been observed, and studied directly, in pediatric patients.