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BackgroundPediatric anesthesiology has been greatly impacted by COVID-19 in the delivery of care to patients and to the individual providers. With this study, we sought to survey pediatric centers and highlight the variations in care related to perioperative medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the availability of protective equipment, the practice of pediatric anesthesia, and economic impact.AimThe aim of the survey was to determine how COVID-19 directly impacted pediatric anesthesia practices during the study period.MethodsA survey concerning four major domains (testing, safety, clinical management/policy, economics) was developed. It was pilot tested for clarity and content by members of the Pediatric Anesthesia COVID-19 Collaborative. The survey was administered by email to all Pediatric Anesthesia COVID-19 Collaborative members on September 1, 2020. Respondents had six weeks to complete the survey and were instructed to answer the questions based on their institution's practice during September 1 - October 13, 2020.ResultsSixty-three institutions (100% response rate) participated in the COVID-19 Pediatric Anesthesia Survey. Forty-one hospitals (65%) were from the United States, and 35% included other countries. N95 masks were available to anesthesia teams at 91% of institutions (n = 57) (95% CI: 80%-96%). COVID-19 testing criteria of anesthesia staff and guidelines to return to work varied by institution. Structured simulation training aimed at improving COVID-19 safety and patient care occurred at 62% of institutions (n = 39). Pediatric anesthesiologists were economically affected by a reduction in their employer benefits and restriction of travel due to employer imposed quarantine regulations.ConclusionOur data indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the testing, safety, clinical management, and economics of pediatric anesthesia practice. Further investigation into the long-term consequences for the specialty is indicated.

Background: We investigated how syndromic versus nonsyndromic forms of micrognathia impacted difficult intubation outcomes in children. Primary outcome was the first‐attempt success rate of tracheal intubation, secondary outcomes were number of intubation attempts and complications. We hypothesized that syndromic micrognathia would be associated with lower first‐attempt success rate. Methods: In micrognathic patients enrolled in the Pediatric Difficult Intubation Registry (08/2012–03/2019) we retrospectively compared demographic and clinical characteristics between children with nonsyndromic and syndromic micrognathia using standardized mean differences (SMD) and assessed the association of the presence of syndrome with the primary and secondary outcomes using propensity score matching analysis with and without matching for airway assessment findings. Results: Nonsyndromic patients (628) were less likely to have additional airway abnormalities. Syndromic patients (216) were less likely to have unanticipated difficult intubation (2% vs. 20%, SMD 0.59). First‐attempt success rates of intubation were: 38% in the syndromic versus 34% in the nonsyndromic group (odds ratio [OR] 1.18; 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] 0.74, 1.89; p =.478), and 37% versus 37% (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.66, 1.48; p =.959). Median number of intubation attempts were 2 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1, 3; range: 1, 8) versus 2 (IQR: 1, 3; range 1, 12) (median regression coefficient = 0; 95% CI: −0.7, 0.7; p =.999) and 2 (IQR: 1, 3; range: 1, 12) versus 2 (IQR: 1, 3; range 1, 8) (median regression coefficient = 0; 95% CI: −0.5, 0.5; p =.999). Complication rates were 14% versus 22% (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.34, 1.04; p =.07) and 16% versus 21% (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.43, 1.17; p =.185). Conclusions: Presence of syndrome was not associated with lower first‐attempt success rate on intubation, number of intubation attempts, or complication rate among micrognathic patients difficult to intubate, despite more associated craniofacial abnormalities. Nonsyndromic patients were more likely to have unanticipated difficult intubations, first attempt with direct laryngoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) aims to relieve tongue-based airway obstruction in Robin Sequence (RS). We investigated direct laryngoscopy grade (DLG) improvement and difficult airway (DA) resolution following MDO. Design: Retrospective cohort analysis. Setting: Three tertiary care institutions. Patients: Sixty-four infants with RS who underwent a single MDO procedure in their first year of life were identified from January 2010 to January 2019. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was DLG pre- and post-MDO. Secondary outcomes included DA designation, pre- and post-MDO polysomnographic assessment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), length of stay, need for gastrostomy, and major/minor adverse events. Results: Median DLG improved from II pre-MDO to I at the time of distractor removal (n = 43, P <.001). No significant change was seen in patients with a third recorded time point (eg, palatoplasty; n = 78, P =.52). Twenty-six (47%) of 55 patients were designated as DA pre-MDO, and 10 (18%) of 55 patients retained the label post-MDO (P <.01). Five (50%) of these 10 patients appeared to be inappropriately retained. Median obstructive apnea–hypopnea index improved from 38.6 (range 31.2-62.8) pre-MDO to 2.9 (range 1-3.9) post-MDO (n = 12; P =.002). Conclusion: Mandibular distraction osteogenesis allowed for DLG improvement that was stably maintained as well as functional improvement in OSA, with minimal morbidity. Difficult airway designation persisted in the electronic record of some infants despite clinical resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent discovery of sensory (tastant and odorant) G proteincoupled receptors on the smooth muscle of human bronchi suggests unappreciated therapeutic targets in the management of obstructive lung diseases. Here we have characterized the effects of a wide range of volatile odorants on the contractile state of airway smooth muscle (ASM) and uncovered a complex mechanism of odorant-evoked signaling properties that regulate excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling in human ASM cells. Initial studies established multiple odorous molecules capable of increasing intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in ASM cells, some of which were (paradoxically) associated with ASM relaxation. Subsequent studies showed a terpenoid molecule (nerol)-stimulated OR2W3 caused increases in [Ca2+]i and relaxation of ASM cells. Of note, OR2W3-evoked [Ca2+]i mobilization and ASM relaxation required Ca2+ flux through the store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) pathway and accompanied plasma membrane depolarization. This chemosensory odorant receptor response was not mediated by adenylyl cyclase (AC)/cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels or by protein kinase A (PKA) activity. Instead, ASM olfactory responses to the monoterpene nerol were predominated by the activity of Ca2+-activated chloride channels (TMEM16A), including the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) expressed on endo(sarco)plasmic reticulum. These findings demonstrate compartmentalization of Ca2+ signals dictates the odorant receptor OR2W3-induced ASM relaxation and identify a previously unrecognized E-C coupling mechanism that could be exploited in the development of therapeutics to treat obstructive lung diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis symptomatology begins in early childhood individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function contributes to sinus development and disease. Genetic variants of the bitter taste receptor TAS2R38 have been suggested to contribute to sinus disease severity in individuals without CF. Our objective was to explore whether functional TAS2R38 haplotypes and CFTR function are associated with sinus disease or the need for sinus surgery in individuals with CF. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using prospectively collected data from the CF Twin‐Sibling Study. The function of CFTR was assessed via chloride conductance. Genotyping of the TAS2R38 gene identified patients who were homozygous for the functional haplotype, heterozygous, or homozygous for nonfunctional haplotypes. Clustered multivariate logistic regression was performed, controlling for sex and family relationship. Results: A total of 1291 patients were evaluated. Patients with ≤1% CFTR function were 1.56 times more likely to require sinus surgery than those with >1% CFTR function (p = 0.049). CFTR function did not correlate significantly with the presence of sinus disease (p = 0.30). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in diagnosis of sinus disease or need for sinus surgery between patients with functional and nonfunctional TAS2R38 haplotypes. Conclusion: CFTR function correlates with need for sinus surgery, whereas TAS2R38 function does not appear to contribute to sinus disease or the need for sinus surgery in patients with CF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background/Aims: The evolution of Le Fort III and Monobloc procedures with utilization of distraction devices has resulted in shortened surgical times, greater facial advancements, and decreased transfusion requirements. The aim of this observational study was to utilize data from the multicenter Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery Perioperative Registry to present and compare patient characteristics and outcomes in children undergoing midface advancement with distraction osteogenesis. Methods: We queried the Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery Perioperative Registry for children undergoing midface advancement involving distractor application from June 2012 to September 2016. Data extracted included demographics, perioperative management, complications, fluid and transfusion volumes, and length of stay. The extracted patient characteristics and perioperative variables were summarized and compared. Results: The query yielded 72 cases from 11 institutions: 49 children undergoing Le Fort III and 23 undergoing Monobloc procedures. Monobloc patients were younger, weighed less, and more likely to have tracheostomies along with elevated intracranial pressure. Greater transfusion was observed in the Monobloc group for nearly all of the transfusion outcomes evaluated. Median ICU and hospital length of stay were 2 and 3 days longer, respectively, in the Monobloc group. Perioperative complications were not uncommon, occurring in 18% of patients in the Le Fort III group and 30% in the Monobloc group. Conclusion: Monobloc procedures were associated with greater transfusion and longer ICU and hospital length of stay. Perioperative complications were more prevalent in the Monobloc group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims: The pediatric Difficult Airway Consultation Service (pDACS) was created in 2017 to identify patients with potentially difficult airways and create airway management plans prior to airway management., Methods: Consults were either nurse-initiated, physician-initiated, or both nurse-and-physician-initiated and were examined for demographic and clinical factors. If a child had difficult airway risk factors, a consult note with airway management recommendations was completed., Results: We included 419 consults from the 4-year study period for analysis. Sixty-one patients had chronic tracheostomies in place and thus, were analyzed separately. Of the remaining 358 consults, 50% (n = 179) were nurse-initiated, 30.2% (n = 108) physician-initiated, and 19.8% (n = 71) nurse-and-physician-initiated consults. Differences in observed frequency of airway edema (difference, 6.3%; 95%CI 0.1%-12.5%; p = .04), cleft lip/palate (difference, 8.1%; 95%CI 0.07%-16.3%, p = .04), craniofacial abnormalities (difference, 12.3%; 95%CI 1.9%-22.7%, p = .02), and trauma/burn (difference, 6.5%; 95%CI 0.09%-12.8%, p = .04) were calculated. Observed frequencies were higher in physician-initiated compared to nurse-initiated consults. Airway edema was also more prevalent in dual nurse-and-physician-initiated consults (difference, 8.7%; 95%CI 1.6%-15.8%; p = .01). Physician-initiated consults were associated with a greater proportion of high-risk difficult airways than nurse-initiated consults (difference, 26.7%; 95%CI 14.0%-39.4%, p < .001). Approximately 41.9% of patients at high-risk for having a difficult airway were identified by nurse-screening only. Using bag-valve-mask was often the primary ventilation recommendation (89.3%, n = 108) and supraglottic airway placement was the most common tertiary plan (74.2%, n = 83). Direct laryngoscopy (47.1%, n = 65) and videolaryngoscopy (40.6%, n = 56) were the most recommended modes of intubation. Three patients with airway emergencies had previously documented airway management plans and were successfully intubated without complications following the primary intubation technique recommended in their consult note., Conclusions: In our study, nurse-screening identified patients at high-risk for a difficult airway that would likely not have been identified prior to initiation of a screening protocol. Furthermore, airway management plans outlined prior to an emergent difficult airway event may increase first-attempt success at securing the difficult airway, reducing morbidity and mortality., (© 2024 Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.)

The clinical definition of "difficult asthma" has expanded recently to include an ever-growing subset of patients with symptoms that cannot be controlled by conventional means, forcing the medical community to develop innovative therapeutics. Beneficial effects of coffee for subjects with asthma, primarily the effect of methylxanthine components, have long been described. Methylxanthines, including theophylline and caffeine, inhibit phosphodiesterases and downstream cAMP signaling to prevent mast cell degranulation while promoting immunomodulation (Peleman RA, Kips JC, Pauwels RA. Clin Exp Allergy 28: 53-56, 1998; Deshpande DA, Wang WCH, McIlmoyle EL, Robinett KS, Schillinger RM, An SS, Sham JSK, Liggett SB. Nat Med 16: 1299-1304, 2010). Caffeine is also a bitter taste receptor agonist, binding to taste-sensing type 2 receptors (TAS2R) before releasing calcium to hyperpolarize airway smooth muscle membranes, inducing bronchodilation (Workman AD, Palmer JN, Adappa ND, Cohen NA . Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 15: 72, 2015; Devillier P, Naline E, Grassin-Delyle S. Pharmacol Ther 155: 11-21, 2015). Theophylline is conventionally used to treat asthma, whereas, according to the literature, the dosage required for orally administered caffeine has yielded modest improvement (Alfaro TM, Monteiro RA, Cunha RA, Cordeiro CR. Clin Respir J 12: 1283-1294, 2018). We sought to determine whether aerosolization of ultrafine caffeine particles (2.5-4 μm) directly to the lungs of susceptible A/J mice challenged with methacholine would improve pulmonary function via forced oscillation technique. In addition, we assessed whether nebulization of caffeine leads to changes in lung pathophysiology and bronchoalveolar lavage cell profiles. We found that mice that received aerosolized caffeine had statistically significant decreases in maximum airway resistance [6.3 vs. 3.9 cmH 2 O·s/mL at 62.5 mg/mL caffeine; confidence interval (CI) = -4.3, -0.4; P = 0.02] and significant delays in the time required to reach maximum resistance compared with that of controls (64.7 vs. 172.1 sec at 62.5 mg/mL caffeine, CI = 96.0, 118.9; P < 0.0001). Nebulized caffeine yielded a consistent effect on airway hyperresponsiveness at a range of doses without evidence of significant pathology relative to vehicle control. NEW & NOTEWORTHY For decades, coffee has been shown to improve symptoms in patients with asthma. One component, theophylline, is conventionally used to treat asthma, whereas the dosage required for orally administered caffeine has yielded modest improvement. We sought to determine whether aerosolization of caffeine directly to the lungs of susceptible A/J mice challenged with methacholine would alter pulmonary function via forced oscillation technique. We found nebulized caffeine yielded a consistent improvement on murine AHR.

Objective: Mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) aims to relieve tongue-based airway obstruction in Robin Sequence (RS). We investigated direct laryngoscopy grade (DLG) improvement and difficult airway (DA) resolution following MDO., Design: Retrospective cohort analysis., Setting: Three tertiary care institutions., Patients: Sixty-four infants with RS who underwent a single MDO procedure in their first year of life were identified from January 2010 to January 2019., Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was DLG pre- and post-MDO. Secondary outcomes included DA designation, pre- and post-MDO polysomnographic assessment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), length of stay, need for gastrostomy, and major/minor adverse events., Results: Median DLG improved from II pre-MDO to I at the time of distractor removal (n = 43, P < .001). No significant change was seen in patients with a third recorded time point (eg, palatoplasty; n = 78, P = .52). Twenty-six (47%) of 55 patients were designated as DA pre-MDO, and 10 (18%) of 55 patients retained the label post-MDO ( P < .01). Five (50%) of these 10 patients appeared to be inappropriately retained. Median obstructive apnea-hypopnea index improved from 38.6 (range 31.2-62.8) pre-MDO to 2.9 (range 1-3.9) post-MDO (n = 12; P = .002)., Conclusion: Mandibular distraction osteogenesis allowed for DLG improvement that was stably maintained as well as functional improvement in OSA, with minimal morbidity. Difficult airway designation persisted in the electronic record of some infants despite clinical resolution.