Anesthetic considerations for surgical procedures in the premature infant, neonates, and pediatrics Flashcards
Preoperative assessment includes
postconceptual age (gestational age + postnatal age)
weight
allergies
co-morbidities, general health, growth & development
physical exam (overall- airway, cardiac, lungs, visible veins)
Describe the special anesthetic considerations for the pediatric patient
infection risk IVH apnea risk temperature control ventilation/oxygenation saturation goals 90-94% glucose, electrolyte, and fluid management
Describe NPO guidelines for elective pediatric surgery
for any age child, this means the minimum acceptable time from ingestion is the following:
2 hours- clear liquids (water, apple juice, pedialyte, or other “see-through” liquids)
4 hours- breast milk
6 hours- formula, non-human milk
General anesthetic considerations for the premature infant
may already be intubated- ICU transport considerations
range of uncuffed and cuffed ETTs options
possibility of difficult intubation and subglottic stenosis
verify ETT position with any changes in position
NG is useful to decompress stomach and facilitate ventilation
ventilation may be difficult- poor compliance, avoidance of barotrauma & excessive oxygen
NSAIDs are contraindicated (immature renal system and may cause premature closure of PDA even in ductal dependent infants)
Consider IV caffeine if at risk for apnea
All anesthetics and sedatives commonly used in pediatrics have shown
widespread loss of nerve cells
The formation of brain structures and rapid brain growth starts
early in pregnancy & continue for up to 3 years
exact age is controversial with milestones being reached with myelination around age 6
Slightly less than ______ of general anesthesia in early infancy does not alter neurodevelopmental outcome at age 5 years compared with awake-regional anesthesia in a predominantly male study population
1 hour
Inhalation agents in prematurity: MAC varies with
age and especially in premature & critically ill infants
slightly less for all agents as neonates, increased as infants, and then drops as small children
A MAC is the
inhaled anesthetic depth at which 50% of patients respond to painful stimulus with movement
Because the neonatal heart is dependent on plasma calcium for contractility, preterm infants may be
more susceptible to the cardio-depressant effects of inhalational anesthetics
Describe the use of fentanyl in the pediatric population:
analgesia, does not reliably produce unconsciousness alone
volume of distribution is higher
reduced elimination half-life (6-32 hours in premature infants vs. 2-3 hours in children & adults)
Describe the use of ketamine in the pediatric population:
analgesia, amnesia, & unconsciousness
Describe the use of propofol in the pediatric population.
does have reported episodes of protracted hypotension and low cardiac output
use of lower doses in preterm and infants
infusions are rarely used long-term (i.e ICU) due to risk of propofol infusion syndrome
Describe the use of midazolam in the pediatric population.
combined with opioid for complete anesthetic
decreased clearance especially in the setting of decreased liver function
The concentration of HbF in utero is ________ than that of the mother
50% greater
Functionally, fetal hemoglobin is able to bind oxygen with
greater affinity than adult hemoglobin (this allows the mother’s oxygen to be delivered across the placenta in the setting of low placental PO2 (30-50 mmHg)
During the first 6 months of life ______ hemoglobin synthesis activity is activated and ____ hemoglobin synthesis is deactivated
adult; fetal
In health term infants, hemoglobin concentration
falls during the 9th to 12th week
- nadir of physiologic anemia in full term infants may be as low as 10-11 g/dL
- this decrease in Hgb is due to a decrease in erythropoiesis and to a shorter RBC lifespan
Premature infants differ in that they have _____ hemoglobin levels at birth
slightly lower
- nadir is lower and is reached earlier (around 4-8 weeks)
average nadir in premature infants is 7-9 g/dL
-transfusions are generally considered with a goal of a Hct >30%
After the 3rd month of life, the Hgb level stabilizes at about ______ until about age 2
11-12 g/dL
Clinically, the younger the baby, the higher the ___________ and the lower the _________.
higher the fraction of HbF; lower the oxygen carrying capacity and delivery to the tissues; this is offset by a rightward shift in the oxy-hgb dissociation curve with increased 2,3 DPG and production of adult hemoglobin
Premature infants rarely require
surgical intervention unless the condition is life-threatening
Preoperative optimization of the following is important for infants:
cardiac, respiratory, anemia, electrolytes, metabolic acidosis, & coagulopathy
Careful attention to drug delivery includes
tuberculin syringes
saline flush following each medication
administration in stopcock closest to patient to minimize fluid
removal of all air bubbles
avoid fluid overload & free-flowing IV sets
Common procedures requiring anesthesia in the preterm infant include:
PDA ligation
laparotomy for NEC or bowel perforation
inguinal hernia repair
vitrectomy or laser for retinopathy of prematurity
CT/MRI scanning
repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia
laparotomy or silo for amphalocele and gastroschisis
laparotomy for malrotation or volvulus
tracheoesophageal fistula repair
Describe why patients may need ligation of patent ductus arteriosus.
A PDA (a remnant from fetal circulation) may incur significant left-to-right shunting of blood causing excess pulmonary blood flow, congestive heart failure & respiratory failure
In the fetus, blood from the right ventricle is directed into the ________ but because of high PVR it flows from the ___________. After birth, the PVR ______ and blood flows from
pulmonary artery; descending aorta
decreases; from the aorta to the lungs
In the premature infant with respiratory distress syndrome or persistent pulmonary hypertension
right-to-left shunting may occur producing cyanosis
Describe the medical therapy & surgical therapy for patent ductus arteriosus.
medical: administration of cyclooxygenase inhibitor- indomethacin or ibuprofen
surgical: left thoracotomy, retraction of the left lung
Discuss the preoperative considerations for ligation of patent ductus arteriosus.
assess arterial pressure (typically decreased diastolic), HR, ABG, ventilator settings, and inspired fiO2
- availability of PRBCs- the aorta and pulmonary artery lie in close proximity to the PDA- severe bleeding may occur abruptly
- antibiotics (risk for endocarditis
Describe the intraoperative considerations for the ligation of patent ductus arteriosus.
blood pressure monitoring (right arm reflects cerebral perfusion and pre-ductal blood)
pulse oximeters on right arm and lower extremity- also helps the surgeon confirm which vessel (ductus and not aorta) to ligate
-ETCO2 monitoring
-ETT should have a minimal leak as surgical retraction of the lung may necessitate increasing ventilator inspiratory pressures and inspired oxygen
-opioids, amnesic, and muscle relaxation
-intercostal nerve block by surgeon at completion of surgery