Assessing the accuracy of common pediatric age-based weight estimation formulae.

Background: Many of the common equations for weight estimation in children were either introduced before the widespread prevalence of childhood obesity or have not been assessed in overweight/obese children. Therefore, we assessed the accuracy of 3 common age-based weight estimation formulae (Advanced Pediatric Life Support, Luscombe, and Theron) for predicting the weight of children undergoing elective, noncardiac operations. We also developed and validated a new age-based weight estimation formula.

Prevalence of habitual snoring in children and occurrence of peri-operative adverse events.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of habitual snoring and examine its association with peri-operative adverse events in children undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery--a relationship that has not been previously characterised.

Methods: Using a prospective observational design, we studied children aged 6-18 years undergoing elective non-cardiac surgeries at our institution. Trained research assistants collected clinical (including peri-operative adverse events) and anthropometric data on all individuals.

Factors associated with and consequences of unplanned post-operative intubation in elderly vascular and general surgery patients.

Objective: Unplanned post-operative intubation (UPI) may be associated with significant morbidity and/or mortality after surgery. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the incidence and predictors of UPI in elderly patients who underwent general and vascular surgical procedures.

Methods: Data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use Data File was used to calculate the incidence of UPI in all elderly vascular and general surgery patients undergoing operations from 2005 to 2008.