Introduction Cancer during childhood remains one of the leading causes of disease-related mortality among pediatric patients. With advancements in the treatment of pediatric oncologic disorders and improved survival rates, the pediatric anesthesiologist will encounter these patients in the operating room,…
Introduction Trauma is the forceful disruption of bodily homeostasis that affects physical, psychological, and family functioning, and it remains one of the most common pediatric public health problems worldwide, killing more than 900,000 children each year ( ; ). According…
Organ donor management Pediatric brain death International guidelines have been developed that define death as “the permanent loss of capacity for consciousness and all brainstem functions, as a consequence of permanent cessation of circulation or catastrophic brain injury,” with permanent…
Introduction A thorough preoperative assessment of the patient’s physical examination and history, along with appropriate laboratory evaluation as indicated, is essential. Many of these patients will present for emergency surgery and present a potential risk for aspiration of gastric contents.…
Introduction The field of pediatric anesthesia has mirrored that of pediatric surgery—developing as a result of the need for specialized treatment of uncommon and complex congenital anomalies and childhood surgical diseases ( ; ). Despite the complexity, general surgery of…
Introduction Airway management is a fundamental aspect of anesthesia. In pediatrics, airway anatomy and physiology change as patients develop. These changes can be further altered by the patient’s disease and/or underlying genetic syndrome. Thus children are at risk for presenting…
Anesthesiology has evolved into an incredibly safe medical specialty. In large part, this is due to improvements in monitoring and medications, and the preoperative evaluation and preparation by the anesthesiologist are also important components of this safety. There are multiple…
Introduction To avoid the major adverse hemodynamic effects caused by potent inhalation anesthetic agents, the use of narcotic anesthesia has reemerged. Relative potencies of the various narcotics are listed in Table 12.1 . Initially, meperidine (0.5 to 1 mg/kg) and…
Introduction Sedative hypnotic agents are an essential element in the care of pediatric patients. These drugs are used as premedicants, induction agents, and adjuvants for the maintenance of anesthesia or sedation. They are administered either as sole agents or in…
Introduction Because of a sophisticated and efficient thermoregulatory system, humans are able to maintain their core body temperature constant within ±0.2°C of its normal value of 37.0°C despite changing ambient temperatures. This characteristic defines a homeothermic organism in contrast to…