Perioperative pulmonary aspiration is infrequent and low risk in pediatric anesthetic practice.

Recent studies have reported perioperative pulmonary aspiration in pediatric practice to be an uncommon problem associated with low morbidity and mortality. This paper examines the recent publications in both the adult and pediatric literature and looks at some of the potential risk factors involved, both patient and anesthetic, in the development of aspiration of gastric contents. We also look at the risk of severe morbidity following pulmonary aspiration and speculate on possible reasons behind the assertion that pulmonary aspiration in pediatric anesthetic practice is rare and a low-risk event.

Pulmonary aspiration in pediatric anesthetic practice in the UK: a prospective survey of specialist pediatric centers over a one-year period.

Background: Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents is a potentially devastating complication of anesthesia.

Aims: This prospective multicenter survey of specialist pediatric centers in the UK set out to elucidate the incidence, risk factors, and the outcome of such events. The survey took place over a twelve-month period via a web-based secure reporting system.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (Hurler syndrome) and anesthesia: the impact of bone marrow transplantation, enzyme replacement therapy, and fiberoptic intubation on airway management.

Aim: To assess the effect of bone marrow transplantation (BMT), enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), and a fiberoptic endotracheal intubation technique in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I, Hurler syndrome).

Background: The mucopolysaccharidoses are inherited metabolic conditions with a well-documented association with difficult airway management. We present the largest series to date of patients with Hurler syndrome (MPS I) and look at the impact of new treatments, such as BMT and ERT, on anesthesia and airway management.

The management of difficult intubation in children.

This article looks at the current techniques and equipment recommended for the management of the difficult intubation scenario in pediatric practice. We discuss the general considerations including preoperative preparation, the preferred anesthetic technique and the use of both rigid laryngoscopic and fiberoptic techniques for intubation. The unanticipated scenario is also discussed.

Regional anesthetic techniques are an alternative to general anesthesia for infants with Pompe's disease.

Pompe's disease or glycogen storage disease type II is a genetic disorder affecting skeletal and cardiac muscle. The infantile form is associated with gross hypertrophic cardiomegaly and death in the early years. General anesthesia is associated with potential major morbidity in these patients.