Post-operative recovery after inguinal herniotomy in ex-premature infants: comparison between sevoflurane and spinal anaesthesia. Postoperative outcome in high-risk infants undergoing herniorrhaphy: comparison between spinal and general anaesthesia. Postoperative apnea, bradycardia, and oxygen desaturation in formerly premature infants: prospective comparison of spinal and general anesthesia. Postoperative apnea in former preterm infants: prospective comparison of spinal and general anesthesia. Elective use of nasal continuous positive airways pressure following extubation of preterm infants. Does supine positioning increase apnea, bradycardia, and desaturation in preterm infants? Effect of positioning on the breathing pattern of preterm infants. A controlled trial of a regularly cycled oscillating waterbed and a non-oscillating waterbed in the prevention of apnoea in the preterm infant. Lingual sucrose reduces the pain response to nasogastric tube insertion: a randomised clinical trial. Perioperative myocardial ischaemia in patients undergoing surgery for fractured hip randomized to incremental spinal, single-dose spinal or general anaesthesia. A randomised trial comparing local versus general anaesthesia for microwave endometrial ablation.
We prospectively studied the post-operative recovery profile of 28 ex-premature infants undergoing inguinal herniotomy. All infants had a post-conceptual age of less than 46 weeks at the time of surgery and were randomized to receive either sevoflurane (group 1, 14 patients) or spinal anaesthesia (group 2, 14 patients). All patients received supplemental caudal analgesia before skin incision. Cardiorespiratory function was continuously recorded in all patients before and after surgery. A blinded observer analysed each paired recording for predefined episodes of apnoea, hypoxaemia or bradycardia and the reports were used to compare the two groups. Spinal anaesthesia was attempted unsuccessfully in four patients in group 2. Five patients in group 1 demonstrated an 'excess' number of episodes (median 4, range 3-12) of clinically silent post-operative cardiorespiratory complications. ('Excess' in our study was defined as a 3-fold or greater increase in the number of post-operative episodes of bradycardia or apnoea relative to pre-operative occurrence). Three of these patients had pre-existing abnormal respiratory function and accounted for 80% of the episodes (26/32) of post-operative bradycardia and all five episodes of post-operative apnoea identified. All episodes of bradycardia and apnoea were temporally unrelated. None of the remaining patients in group 2 demonstrated an unacceptable number of post-operative cardiorespiratory complications. Our limited study suggests that general anaesthesia with an inhalational agent such as sevoflurane may induce or unmask abnormalities of cardiopulmonary function in predisposed infants. Spinal anaesthesia may be preferable but it is potentially stressful for the infant and associated with a clinically significant failure rate. The incidence of inguinal hernia is higher in premature infants, particularly in low birth weight neonates. This latter group may also incur increased postoperative respiratory complications and inpatient admissions. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of general and spinal anaesthesia on postoperative respiratory morbidity and on the length of hospital stay in high-risk infants undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy. Forty patients, all high-risk infants who underwent unilateral or bilateral herniorrhaphies, were randomly assigned to receive general anaesthesia (n = 20) or spinal anaesthesia (n = 20). There was a significant difference in respiratory morbidity between the two groups, as well as a significant difference in the inpatient hospital stay. The present study suggests that spinal anaesthesia can be used safely for high-risk infants, preterm or formerly preterm, undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Eighteen formerly premature infants scheduled for inguinal herniorrhaphy and who were less than 51 wk postconceptional age were assigned to either the general anesthesia group (GA: atropine, halothane, and nitrous oxide) or the spinal anesthesia group (SA: hyperbaric tetracaine). Twelve-hour, three-channel continuous recordings of respiratory rate (chest wall impedance), electrocardiogram (ECG), and hemoglobin O2 saturation (SpO2) were obtained preoperatively and after surgery. These were analyzed for short (11-15s) and long (> 15 s) apnea spells, periodic breathing, and episodes of hemoglobin oxygen desaturation and bradycardia. Infants in the GA group had lower postoperative minimum SpO2 (68.7% +/- 11.4%) and minimum heart rate (79 bpm +/- 19) than infants in the SA group (80.7% +/- 9.2%, and 109 bpm +/- 30, respectively; P < 0.05) and had lower postoperative minimum SpO2 and minimum heart rate than they had preoperatively (79.0% +/- 13.7%, and 93 bpm +/- 31, respectively; P < 0.05); pre- and postoperative studies in the SA group did not differ. There were no differences in the incidence of postoperative central apnea. We conclude that spinal anesthesia reduces postoperative hemoglobin oxygen desaturation and bradycardia in formerly premature infants undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy. Thirty-six former preterm infants undergoing inguinal hernia repair were studied. All were less than or equal to 51 weeks postconceptual age at the time of operation. Patients were randomly assigned to receive general or spinal anesthesia. Group 1 patients received general inhalational anesthesia with neuromuscular blockade. Group 2 patients received spinal anesthesia using 1% tetracaine 0.4-0.6 mg/kg in conjunction with an equal volume of 10% dextrose and 0.02 ml epinephrine 1:1000. In the first part of the study, infants randomized to receive spinal anesthesia also received sedation with im ketamine 1-2 mg/kg prior to placement of the spinal anesthetic (group 2 A). The remainder of group 2 patients did not receive sedation (group 2 B). Respiratory pattern and heart rate were monitored using an impedance pneumograph for at least 12 h postoperatively. Tracings were analyzed for evidence of apnea, periodic breathing and/or bradycardia by a pulmonologist unaware of the anesthetic technique utilized. None of the patients who received spinal anesthesia without ketamine sedation developed postoperative bradycardia, prolonged apnea, or periodic breathing. Eight of nine infants (89%) who received spinal anesthesia and adjunct intraoperative sedation with ketamine developed prolonged apnea with bradycardia. Two of the eight infants had no prior history of apnea. Five of the 16 patients (31%) who received general anesthesia developed prolonged apnea with bradycardia. Two of these five infants had no prior history of apnea. When infants with no prior history of apnea were analyzed separately, there was no statistically significant increased incidence of apnea in children receiving general versus spinal anesthesia with or without ketamine sedation. Because of the small numbers of patients studied, and the multiple factors that may influence the incidence of postoperative apnea (e.g., prior history of neonatal apnea), standard postoperative respiratory monitoring of these high-risk infants is still recommended following all anesthetic techniques. The aim of this study was to determine whether elective use of nasal continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) following extubation of preterm infants was well tolerated and improved short- and long-term outcomes. A randomized comparison of nasal CPAP to headbox oxygen was undertaken and a meta-analysis performed including similar randomized trials involving premature infants less than 28 days of age. A total of 150 infants (median gestational age 30 weeks, range 24-34 weeks) were randomized in two centres. Fifteen nasal CPAP infants and 25 headbox infants required increased respiratory support post-extubation and 15 nasal CPAP infants and nine headbox infants required reintubation (non significant). Eight infants became intolerant of CPAP and were changed to headbox oxygen within 48 h of extubation; 19 headbox infants developed apnoeas and respiratory acidosis requiring rescue nasal CPAP, 3 ultimately were re-intubated. Seven other trials were identified, giving a total number of 569 infants. Overall, nasal CPAP significantly reduced the need for increased respiratory support (relative risk, 0.57, 95% CI 0.43-0.73), but not for re-intubation (relative risk 0.89, 95% CI 0.68-1.17). Nasal CPAP neither influenced significantly the intraventricular haemorrhage rate reported in four studies (relative risk 1.0, 95% CI 0.55, 1.82) nor that of oxygen dependency at 28 days reported in six studies (relative risk 1.0, 95% CI 0.8, 1.25). In two studies nasal CPAP had to be discontinued in 10% of infants either because of intolerance or hyperoxia.
                Elective use of nasal continuous positive airways pressure post-extubation is not universally tolerated, but does reduce the need for additional support. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of prone and supine positioning on the cardiorespiratory stability of preterm infants with apnea and bradycardia.
                A total of 22 preterm infants with symptomatic apnea and bradycardia (gestational age of 26.9 +/- 1.8 weeks and birth weight of 865 +/- 235 gm) were monitored for 24 hours (in four sequential 6-hour blocks) for apnea, bradycardia, and oxygen desaturation in alternating positions (prone or supine) following randomization. Postconceptional age at the time of study was 31.9 +/- 3.0 weeks. Respiratory rate, heart rate, and transcutaneous oxygen saturation were continuously monitored. All episodes of apnea (> or = 10 seconds), bradycardia (< 100 beats per minute), and oxygen desaturation (< 90%) were recorded on an event monitor. Episodes of apnea, bradycardia, and oxygen desaturation were defined as clinically significant if the following criteria were met: apnea, > or = 15 seconds; bradycardia, < 90 beats per minute; and oxygen desaturation, < 80%. All other recorded episodes were considered mild. The episodes were analyzed for statistical significance using the paired t-test.
                No significant differences (p > 0.05) in the incidence of clinically significant apnea, bradycardia, or desaturation between supine and prone positions were seen in these preterm infants.
                Our results suggest that the cardiorespiratory stability of preterm infants is not significantly compromised by supine positioning. Respiration, as judged by gas exchange and pulmonary function, is improved in preterm infants kept in the prone rather than the supine position. The influence of position on the breathing pattern as documented by the pneumogram was studied in 14 stable preterm infants with recent clinical apnoea. Ten of the infants had oximetry and nasal flow studies simultaneously with the impedance pneumogram. Each infant had consecutive nocturnal pneumograms, one in the prone, one in the supine position. The infants were kept for more than six hours in the assigned position. A significant increase in apnoea density and in periodic breathing was found in the supine v the prone position (mean (SE) 4.5 (0.7)% v 2.5 (0.5)%, and 13.6 (3.2)% v 7.7 (2.2)%, respectively). There was no positional difference in the incidence of bradycardia and prolonged apnoea. The examination of obstructive apnoea, mixed apnoea, and cyanotic spells did not reveal a consistent disparity between the two positions. These findings indicate an increase in central apnoea in preterm infants kept predominantly in the supine position. Possible relations of positional changes to lung mechanics are discussed. When evaluating pneumograms, attention must be given to the position in which they were performed. Fourteen preterm infants spent a mean of 23 hours divided into 4-hour periods with and without regular oscillations, 10 infants also being studied for control periods, before and afterwards. Electrocardiogram and impedance pneumogram were recorded continuously and analysed blindly. The waterbed, with or without oscillations, had no effect on apnoea or bradycardia when compared with control periods. Infants had appreciably more episodes of severe bradycardia while on the oscillating than on the non-oscillating waterbed. To determine whether lingual sucrose modifies the pain response to nasogastric tube insertion in preterm infants.
                Randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial.
                Special care baby unit.
                20 stable preterm infants who required nasogastric tube insertion for feeding, randomised on 51 occasions.
                Lingual 24% sucrose or water placebo (0.5-2 ml varying with body weight) administered 2 min before nasogastric tube insertion.
                Heart rate, oxygen saturation (SaO2), Neonatal Facial Coding Score and presence or absence of cry.
                Infants who received sucrose demonstrated a significantly lower Neonatal Facial Coding Score during nasogastric tube passage compared with the placebo group (median 1 (range 0-4) vs 3 (0-4), p = 0.004). There was a trend for sucrose-treated infants to have little change in heart rate during nasogastric tube passage compared with the placebo group (mean (SD) -0.73 (23) vs +11 (17), p = 0.055). Mean SaO2 did not change significantly. Pain response measurements quickly returned to baseline after nasogastric tube insertion. Adverse effects, such as apnoea or oxygen desaturation, were few and occurred equally in each group.
                Nasogastric tube insertion induces a pain response comparable with previously reported responses to heel lance in neonates. Single-dose lingual 24% sucrose is effective in reducing the behavioural and physiological pain response to nasogastric tube insertion in preterm infants and it appears to be safe. Quantitative assessment of myocardial ischaemia during incremental spinal, single-dose spinal and general anaesthesia may provide guidelines for the choice of anaesthetic technique for osteosynthesis of hip fractures in the elderly atherosclerotic individual. Forty-three patients with coronary artery disease were allocated to receive either incremental spinal anaesthesia (bupivacaine 0.5% plain) (A), single-dose spinal anaesthesia (2.5 mL of bupivacaine 0.5% plain) (B) or general anaesthesia (fentanyl, thiopentone, atracurium, enflurane, N2O/O2) (C) for hip surgery. ST segment monitoring was performed from the induction of anaesthesia and for the following 48 h, and perioperative hypotension, blood loss and fluid therapy were recorded. ST depression developed in two out of 14 (A), seven out of 15 (B) and six out of 14 (C) patients (P = 0.14). In (A), a total of seven ST depressions occurred in the observation period as opposed to 125 in (B) and 16 in (C) (P < 0.05). Intra-operative ST depression only occurred in (B). Three (A), 33 (B) and 40 (C) hypotensive events were recorded (P < 0.002). Altogether, 56% of hypotensive patients developed ST depression compared with 10% of normotensive patients (P < 0.003). In (A), 1.6 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine were used as opposed to the fixed 2.5 mL dose in (B) (P < 0.001). In the first post-operative week, mortality was higher in (B) (P < 0.05) but, after 1 month, there was no significant difference in mortality between the three groups. The incidence of hypotension and myocardial ischaemia was lowest in the group receiving incremental spinal anaesthesia. To compare the acceptability of microwave endometrial ablation using a local anaesthesia/sedation regime or general anaesthesia. To compare recovery following treatment with each type of anaesthetic.
                Prospective randomised controlled trial with follow up of women who declined randomisation.
                The gynaecology department of a large teaching hospital in the UK.
                All women referred for microwave endometrial ablation at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary between July 1999 and September 2000 without a medical reason to favour one or other type of anaesthetic.
                191 women were equally randomised to undergo microwave endometrial ablation under general or local anaesthesia. Details were also collected for women not randomised because of an anaesthetic preference. All procedures were undertaken in an operating theatre.
                Data collected by questionnaire including the woman's view of treatment acceptability, operative details and post-operative recovery.
                Sixty-nine percent of eligible women would consider treatment under local anaesthesia. Ninety-one percent of microwave endometrial ablation procedures that started under local anaesthesia were completed without conversion to general anaesthesia. Anaesthetic type and allocation by randomisation or preference made no significant difference to the proportion of women describing treatment as totally or generally acceptable at two weeks. Neither parity nor cavity size predicted acceptability. Women allocated general anaesthesia were more likely to describe the procedure as totally acceptable and to choose the same anaesthetic again. There was no significant difference between anaesthetic groups regarding post-operative pain, nausea or recovery time.
                Microwave endometrial ablation under local anaesthesia was acceptable to the majority of women referred for treatment. There was no recovery advantage from local anaesthesia and almost 1 in 10 women who starting treatment under local anaesthesia needed a general anaesthetic because of discomfort. The incidence of post-operative pain and nausea means that treatment with this local anaesthetic/sedation regime remains a day case rather than an outpatient procedure.
There is no reliable evidence from the trials reviewed concerning the effect of spinal as compared to general anaesthesia on the incidence of post-operative apnoea, bradycardia, or oxygen desaturation in ex-preterm infants undergoing herniorrhaphy. The estimates of effect in this review are based on a total population of only 108 patients or fewer. 
A large well designed randomised controlled trial is needed to determine if spinal anaesthesia reduces post-operative apnoea in ex-preterm infants not pretreated with sedatives. Adequate blinding, follow up and intention to treat analysis are required.