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The Master program of Advanced Nursing Practice (MANP) educates nurses to become a nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners are health care professionals focusing on the intersection of cure and care. However, a clear model covering that area is lacking. The use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) may be considered for incorporation in curricula due to its focus on the integration of cure and care. The purpose of this study is to test the effects of a short (= 4-h instructor-led) ICF training on perceived usefulness of the ICF. In a randomized controlled trial, 76 MANP students were randomly allocated to intervention or control group. Data were collected using an 'ICF survey and learning assessment tool'. Data of 56 students were included for analysis. Perceived usefulness of the ICF increased significantly in the intervention group immediately after training (p = 0.001) but no longer at 3-months follow-up (p = 0.388). Attitude and knowledge related to the ICF were significantly increased in the intervention group at both post-training assessments (p

Contains fulltext : 200454.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) AIM: Wound dehiscence is a serious postoperative complication associated both with high morbidity and mortality. It has a significant rate of occurrence in breast reconstruction surgeries with a deep internal epigastric perforator (DIEP) and with a profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap. Risk factors for wound dehiscence include smoking, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and obesity. The aim of this pilot study was to assess whether postoperative treatment with closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) decreases the incidence of donor site wound dehiscence in breast reconstruction patients. METHOD: Women undergoing a breast reconstruction with a DIEP or PAP flap were enrolled in a pilot randomized controlled trial and assigned treatment with either ciNPT or adhesive strips. The primary outcome was wound dehiscence upon follow-up after four weeks. Secondary outcomes that were evaluated included wound infection, pain, and allergy. There was no loss to follow-up. RESULTS: This pilot study included 51 women (n=25 ciNPT, n=26 adhesive strips). The two groups did not differ significantly in patients demographics or comorbidities. Wound dehiscence occurred in 11 patients (n=2 ciNPT, n=9 adhesive strips). This difference was statistically significant: p=0.038. There were no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, postoperative treatment with ciNPT decreased the incidence of donor site wound dehiscence in breast reconstruction patients. Further research is ongoing by the same hospital. This trial was registered in the Netherlands Trial Register (NTR) under ID no. NTR5808.

Contains fulltext : 232486.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) INTRODUCTION: Shifting specialist care from the hospital to primary care/community care (also called primary care plus) is proposed as one option to reduce the increasing healthcare costs, improve quality of care and accessibility. The aim of this systematic review was to get insight in primary care plus provided by physician assistants or nurse practitioners. METHODS: Scientific databases and reference list were searched. Hits were screened on title/abstract and full text. Studies published between 1990-2018 with any study design were included. Risk of bias assessment was performed using QualSyst tool. RESULTS: Search resulted in 5.848 hits, 15 studies were included. Studies investigated nurse practitioners only. Primary care plus was at least equally effective as hospital care (patient-related outcomes). The number of admission/referral rates was significantly reduced in favor of primary care plus. Barriers to implement primary care plus included obtaining equipment, structural funding, direct access to patient-data. Facilitators included multidisciplinary collaboration, medical specialist support, protocols. CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION: Quality of care within primary care plus delivered by nurse practitioners appears to be guaranteed, at patient-level and professional-level, with better access to healthcare and fewer referrals to hospital. Most studies were of restricted methodological quality. Findings should be interpreted with caution.

For the majority of the nurse practitioners, networking is a new phenomenon. Nurse practitioners, as T-shaped professionals who combine general and specific expertise, are in the position to develop strong clinical networks with focus on care and cure. Examples are presented in this chapter. Interdisciplinary collaboration is necessary to achieve quality of care. How can we realize successful collaboration? For an important part, collaboration needs to be learned in practice. A vital part is understanding each other’s practice, identity and drives, but most of all reflection is a crucial competence to become a leader of a network.

The academy for advanced practice nursing is tasked with training highly qualified nurse practitioners (NP). Initially, the most crucial cornerstones to obtain this goal seem to be the development of documents describing (1) the role of the NP, (2) education and testing, (3) the requirements imposed on academics, and (4) the quality system. Having a vision and plan for how you want to obtain your goals, however, does not necessarily mean that these goals will be obtained. The addition of cornerstones facilitating the intrinsic motivation of academics is necessary to let them do what they are expert in. These cornerstones should increase accountability, ownership, and involvement in decision-making. A supportive learning environment, as well as coaching and empowerment by means of servant leadership are necessary cornerstones to graduate highly qualified NPs.

Background A previous study found that care provided by a nurse practitioner (NP) during oncological or palliative care was highly regarded. These patients, however, were considered a special population due to suffering from life-threatening illnesses. It remains unclear whether the results are transferable to patients with chronic conditions. Patient's perceptions of the quality of NP care have reflected that it equals or exceeds that of physicians, but the root causes of these remarks remain unclear. Purpose To describe the difference in perception of NP care by patients suffering from chronic heart failure (CHF) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in contrast with NP oncological or palliative care. Methodological orientation A qualitative study from a phenomenological perspective was conducted. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method and the Metaphor Identification Procedure. Sample In 2018 and 2019, 16 outpatients receiving CHF or IBD care were interviewed. Conclusions Although chronic and life-threatening diseases may differentiate patients' perspectives, it can be generally stated that patients value NPs to be reliable, helpful, and empathic. Patients feel empowered, at peace and in control thanks to integrated care by dedicated experts. Implications for practice Outpatients highly appreciate the "communicator role" and "skilled companionship" performed by NPs, to fulfill their needs for attention to the "complete picture." Therefore, further consideration of these competencies is recommended.

Background Many Dutch nurse practitioners (NPs) work together with physicians and specialized nurses (SNs) in outpatient clinics, although the latter have questioned the added value of NPs in the outpatient clinic. Clarification of the distinction between and the added value of both nursing professions in relation to each other could lead to optimal use of the unique competencies of each type of nurse. Purpose To explore NPs' perspectives on their added value in relation to SNs in the outpatient clinic. Methodological orientation Data were analyzed by Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. The CanMEDS competences were used to identify the NPs' comments about their practice. Sample Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with NPs from two hospital settings. Conclusions The added value of NPs was most evident in: nursing leadership, integrating care and cure and performing an expert level of nursing expertise, and competencies in science. To optimize their roles, NPs and SNs need to make all team members aware of their unique competences and promote role clarification. Implications for practice This study provides barriers in barriers that influence optimal positioning of NPs within the interdisciplinary team, stresses the importance of discussion on the optimal skill mix within the interdisciplinary team, and describes the NPs' leadership role because this is the encompassing link between the main competencies of their practice. Addressing and overcoming these findings could improve the NPs' positioning and effective collaboration within (the outpatient clinic's) interprofessional teams.

Aims and objectives To explore what meaning patients associate with their experiences with a nurse practitioner (NP) in oncological or palliative care. Background Care provided by NPs results in high patient satisfaction, mostly related to the assurance of continuity of care, and to receiving information and advice on coping with the disease. Research shows that health care provided by NPs equals the quality of care provided by physicians. Patients may be even more satisfied with care provided by NPs. Because patients' views have only been examined quantitatively, underlying experiences and meanings remain unclear. Design A qualitative study from a phenomenological perspective. Methods In 2017, seventeen outpatients aged 45-79 years, receiving oncological or palliative care, were interviewed in depth. Data were analysed by Colaizzi's seven-step method and by the Metaphor Identification Procedure. Results Six fundamental themes emerged: the NP as a human (1) and as a professional (2), the NP providing care (3) and cure (4), NPs organising patient care (5) and the impact on patient's well-being (6). MIP analysis revealed six metaphors: NP means trust; is a travel aid; is a combat unit; is a chain; is a signpost; and is a technician. Conclusions NPs mean a lot to patients. NPs are valued as reliable, helpful and empathic. Patients feel empowered, at peace and in control as a result of the support, guidance and attention to them as a person as well as to aspects of the disease. Providing expert, integrated care makes patients feel safe and embraced in the NP's expertise. Relevance to clinical practice This qualitative insight into patients' experiences will contribute to the body of knowledge on patients' perceptions of the treatment and support provided by NPs. It adds to the further development of the NPs' profession and education.

Contains fulltext : 218897.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To gain insight into nurse practitioners' (NP) leadership roles in Dutch hospital care, by exploring the perceptions regarding their current leadership role and the differences with their previous role as a registered specialised nurse. BACKGROUND: To meet today's challenges of the increasing healthcare demands, the employment of NPs is proliferating. NPs have the ideal position to play a pivotal role within healthcare reforms, yet full expansion of their scope of practice and expertise is having limited success. Long-term sustainability of NPs depends on the ability to perform and develop a leading role. DESIGN AND METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study was conducted in fifteen Dutch hospitals. Data were collected from April-July 2018, and purposive sampling was used for eighteen semi-structured interviews. This study is conducted and reported according to the COREQ checklist. RESULTS: Three main themes concerning NPs' current leadership role emerged, and they were all linked to a successful positioning of NPs. All themes seemed to be of influence on NPs' scope of daily practice. Direct patient care was emphasised, and leadership on other levels appeared to be underused. Most NPs desired to reshape their profession. However, unprofitable use of their leadership skills especially on professional and organisational level and lack of supportive factors seemed to hinder them. CONCLUSIONS: An adequate use of leadership is crucial for role development and positioning of NPs. Further development of the NP profession can help to better differentiate between the tasks of registered specialised nurses and NPs. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Leadership in nursing contributes to the improvement of the quality and efficiency of health care. Further positioning of the NP profession depends on a profitable use of leadership competencies. Besides, NPs should collaborate with healthcare organisations, educational institutions and professional associations to value the NP profession in the current healthcare system.

textabstractAim: To establish what leadership competencies are expected of master level‐edu‐ cated nurses like the Advanced Practice Nurses and the Clinical Nurse Leaders as described in the international literature. Background: Developments in health care ask for well‐trained nurse leaders. Advanced Practice Nurses and Clinical Nurse Leaders are ideally positioned to lead healthcare reform in nursing. Nurses should be adequately equipped for this role based on internationally defined leadership competencies. Therefore, identifying leadership competencies and related attributes internationally is needed. Design: Integrative review. Methods: Embase, Medline and CINAHL databases were searched (January 2005– December 2018). Also, websites of international professional nursing organizations were searched for frameworks on leadership competencies. Study and framework selection, identification of competencies, quality appraisal of included studies and analysis of data were independently conducted by two researchers. Results: Fifteen studies and seven competency frameworks were included. Synthesis of 150 identified competencies led to a set of 30 core competencies in the clinical, pro‐ fessional, health systems. and health policy leadership domains. Most competencies fitted in one single domain the health policy domain contained the least competencies. Conclusions: This synthesis of 30 core competencies within four leadership domains can be used for further development of evidence‐based curricula on leadership. Next steps include further refining of competencies, addressing gaps, and the linking of knowledge, skills, and attributes. Impact: These findings contribute to leadership development for Advanced Practice Nurses and Clinical Nurse Leaders while aiming at improved health service delivery and guiding of health policies and reforms.

Background Several functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies use thermal pain stimuli to determine brain activation patterns during pain. Studies use either a standard temperature condition for all participants or an individualized temperature condition based on the individually determined pain threshold of the participant. The aim of the present study was to compare both conditions in the same participants. Methods Eighteen healthy participants (21–29 years) underwent four fMRI runs, in each of which they received three types of thermal stimuli: neutral (32 °C), warm (37 °C) and painfully hot. In two runs, the painfully hot stimulus was set at a standard temperature of 46 °C; in the other two runs, the temperature was set at the subject's individual pain threshold (46–48 °C). fMRI (blood oxygen level dependent) was performed on a 1.5T MR scanner (GE Signa). Pre-processing and statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM8) software. Results While the stimulation temperatures were lower in the standard temperature condition, both conditions activated the same brain regions. When comparing the conditions directly to each other, we did not find significantly different grey matter activation patterns. Conclusions The similar activation patterns between the two conditions suggest that it is not necessary to use individualized stimuli per se. The temperature of 46 °C appeared to be an adequate temperature for standardized stimulation to observe significant brain activations related to thermal pain.

Measurement of pain in pre-verbal infants is complex. Until now, pain behavior has mainly been assessed intermittently using observational tools. Therefore, we determined the feasibility of long-term, objective and continuous measurement of peripheral motor parameters through body-fixed sensors to discriminate between pain and no pain in hospitalized pre-verbal infants. Two pain modes were studied: for procedural pain 10 measurements were performed before, during and after routine heel latices in 9 infants (age range infants: 5-175 days), and for post-operative pain 14 infants (age range 45-400 days) were measured for prolonged periods (mean 7 h) using the validated COMFORT-behavior scale as reference method. Several peripheral motor parameters were studied: three body part activity parameters derived from acceleration sensors attached to one arm and both legs, and two muscle activity parameters derived from electromyographic (EMG) sensors attached to wrist flexor and extensor Muscles. Results showed that the accelerometry-based parameters legs activity and overall extremity activity (i.e. mean of arm and legs) were significantly higher during heel lance than before or after lance (p

Background In pediatric patients, the Bispectral Index (BIS), derived from the electroencephalogram, and the composite A-Line autoregressive index (cAAI), derived from auditory evoked potentials and the electroencephalogram, have been used as measurements of depth of hypnosis during anesthesia. The performance and reliability of BIS and cAAI in distinguishing different hypnotic states in children, as evaluated with the University of Michigan Sedation Scale, were compared. Methods Thirty-nine children (aged 2-16 yr) scheduled to undergo elective inguinal hernia surgery were studied. For all patients, standardized anesthesia was used. Prediction probabilities of BIS and cAAI versus the University of Michigan Sedation Scale and sensitivity/specificity were calculated. Results Prediction probabilities for BIS and cAAI during induction were 0.84 for both and during emergence were 0.75 and 0.74, respectively. At loss of consciousness, the median BIS remained unaltered (94 to 90; not significant), whereas cAAI values decreased (60 to 43; P < 0.001). During emergence, median BIS and cAAI increased from 51 to 74 (P < 0.003) and from 46 to 58 (P < 0.001), respectively. With respect to indicate consciousness or unconsciousness, 100% sensitivity was reached at cutoff values of 17 for BIS and 12 for cAAI. One hundred percent specificity was associated with a BIS of 71 and a cAAI of 60. To ascertain consciousness, BIS values greater than 78 and cAAI values above 52 were required. Conclusions BIS and cAAI were comparable indicators of depth of hypnosis in children. Both indices, however, showed considerable overlap for different clinical conditions.

Background The safety and value of acetaminophen (paracetamol) in addition to continuous morphine infusion has never been studied in newborns and young infants. We investigated the addition of acetaminophen to evaluate whether it decreased morphine consumption in this age group after major thoracic (non-cardiac) or abdominal surgery. Methods A randomized controlled trial was performed in 71 patients given either acetaminophen 90–100 mg kg −1 day −1 or placebo rectally, in addition to a morphine loading dose of 100 µg kg −1 and 5–10 µg kg −1 h −1 continuous infusion. Analgesic efficacy was assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and COMFORT scores. Extra morphine was administered if VAS was ≥4. Results We analysed data of 54 patients, of whom 29 received acetaminophen and 25 received placebo. Median (25–75th percentile) age was 0 (0–2) months. Additional morphine bolus requirements and increases in continuous morphine infusion were similar in both groups ( P = 0.366 and P = 0.06, respectively). There was no significant difference in total morphine consumption, respectively, 7.91 (6.59–14.02) and 7.19 (5.45–12.06) μg kg −1 h −1 for the acetaminophen and placebo group ( P = 0.60). COMFORT [median (25–75th percentile) acetaminophen 10 (9–12) and placebo 11 (9–13)] and VAS [median (25–75th percentile) acetaminophen 0.0 (0.0–0.2) and placebo 0.0 (0.0–0.3)] scores did not differ between acetaminophen and placebo group ( P = 0.06 and P = 0.73, respectively). Conclusions Acetaminophen, as an adjuvant to continuous morphine infusion, does not have an additional analgesic effect and should not be considered as standard of care in young infants, 0–2 months of age, after major thoracic (non-cardiac) or abdominal surgery.

There are both commonalities and idiosyncratic features in the reaction of pain children with profound cognitive impairment (CI), and that there is no evidence to suggest that idiosyncratic behavior is more characteristic of this population than of any other population. The main objective of this study was to identify whether the 23-item version of the Checklist Pain Behavior could be reduced to 10 items. Previous research demonstrated that only these 10 items discriminated between absence and presence of pain. Second, we wanted to explore the underlying structure of these 10 selected items including its performance. Data of 477 observations in 73 children were used. All these children were video-taped while they were admitted to the Sophia Children's Hospital for surgery, twice before and five times after surgery. These video-tapes were scored by an independent observer. A visual analogue scale (VAS) by a researcher was used to assess the presence of pain. We tested whether the underlying structure was unidimensional, and whether it had differential qualities between pain and no pain, and to which degree. Using a modern psychometric method, i.e., Mokken scaling model, we unraveled the interdependency of the pain response in CI-children, in that the structure turned out to be unidimensional. In addition, these behaviors could be hierarchically ordered in terms of frequency of occurrences. Finally, these behaviors had to a high degree the potentialities to estimate the likelihood of occurrence of pain. © 2006 International Association for the Study of Pain.

The low tactile threshold in preterm infants when they are in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), while their physiological systems are unstable and immature, potentially renders them more vulnerable to the effects of repeated invasive procedures. There is a small but growing literature on pain and tactile responsivity following procedural pain in the NICU, or early surgery. Long-term effects of repeated pain in the neonatal period on neurodevelopment await further research. However, there are multiple sources of stress in the NICU, which contribute to inducing high overall 'allostatic load', therefore determining specific effects of neonatal pain in human infants is challenging.

Objective: Research in child subjects requires parental permission. We examined whether parental authorization of involvement in a clinical study is influenced by the child's severity of illness at the time of the consent decision. Design and setting: Observational study in a multidisciplinary tertiary pediatric and neonatal intensive care. Patients and participants: Parents of 421 children (age range from preterm to 18 years) were asked to consent for participation in a study focusing on measuring their child's nutritional status within 24 h after admission to the ICU. Over 20% of the parents (n=88) refused consent, most of them because they expected the study to be too burdensome for their child. Measurements and results: Patient and disease characteristics were comparable in the children for whom consent had or had not been obtained. A higher illness severity score did not decrease the probability of obtaining informed consent, but parents of children with a history of disease were 3.2 times less likely to consent. Conclusions: Parents of children with higher illness severity scores are not more likely to decline permission to include their child in clinical observational research on the ICU. History of disease and subjectively perceived burden to the child are important factors that must be considered.

Objectives: To evaluate over a 5-yr period the feasibility and tolerance of a protocol of routine enteral nutrition in neonates requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Design: Retrospective medical chart review. Setting: Level III children’s hospital, pediatric surgical intensive care unit. Patients: Neonates treated with venoarterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) between January 1997 and January 2002. Patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia were excluded. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Charts of all neonates treated with VA-ECMO were reviewed. Feasibility was evaluated by recording the time period needed for enteral nutrition to reach 40% of total fluid intake; tolerance was evaluated by reviewing data on enteral nutrition related morbidity. Sixty-seven of the 77 eligible patients received enteral feeding during ECMO. Thirty-six of these patients (54%) received 40% of total fluid intake as enteral nutrition within a median of 3 (range, 2–4) days. Over the years there was a trend toward an increasing usage of enteral nutrition from 71% to 94% (p = .07). Enteral nutrition was temporarily discontinued in 16 patients, with 14 showing gastric retentions, one showing discomfort, and one showing aspiration. Symptoms of bilious vomiting, blood-stained stool, or abdominal distention were not present. Conclusion: Neonates on ECMO in this series tolerated enteral feeding well and did not show serious adverse effects. Overall, it is our experience that routine use of enteral feeding in critically ill neonates on VA-ECMO is feasible.

Het meten van pijn bij kinderen omvat zelfrapportage, gedragsobservaties, en fysiologische reacties. Zelfrapportage wordt over het algemeen vanaf de leeftijd van vier jaar toegepast. Huilen, gezichtsuitdrukking en lichaamsbeweging zijn de meest gebruikte indicatoren in pijnmeetinstrumenten. De kwaliteit van een pijnmeetinstrument wordt getoetst op de mate van betrouwbaarheid, validiteit en toepasbaarheid in de klinische praktijk. Pijnmeetinstrumenten bij oudere kinderen zijn vaak hulpmiddelen om op eenvoudige wijze de ernst van de pijn aan te geven. Voor zuigelingen en jonge kinderen zijn meerdere pijnmeetinstrumenten ontwikkeld, die overigens vrij veel op elkaar lijken. Pijnmeetinstrumenten zijn tot nu toe alleen gebruikt voor onderzoeksdoeleinden. Het is nu tijd om pijnmeting in de dagelijkse praktijk te implementeren, maar dit vereist tijd, geld, mankracht en goede communicatie

Based on the authors' review of the literature on pediatric postoperative pain assessment with special attention to groups of vulnerable infants, this article (1) reports on type of surgery and its relationship to postoperative pain intensity; (2) reviews the characteristics of existing postoperative pain instruments for neonates, infants, and toddlers; (3) discusses timing, duration, and who should assess postoperative pain; (4) reviews the specific literature on pain assessment in critically ill infants, including the extremely low birth weight and the cognitively and/or neurologically impaired infant, and (5) discusses the role of parents in postoperative pain assessment. Postoperative pain instruments are useful for specific groups of vulnerable infants, but it is important that in addition to the valuable scoring of pain, common sense is used and factors such as developmental stage, temperament and personality, number of previous painful experiences, anxiety, and environmental factors are taken into account.

In children, patient controlled analgesia (PCA) and continuous infusion (CI) of morphine are well established methods of relieving postoperative pain. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of PCA plus background infusion (BI) (15 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) and bolus doses of 15 microg x kg(-1) with a lock-out interval of 10 min) with CI (20 to 40 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) in terms of analgesia, morphine needs and side-effects. A stratified randomized controlled trial was carried out. 47 children aged 5-18 years undergoing major elective lower/upper abdominal or spinal surgery were allocated. The magnitude of surgery was assessed by the Severity of Surgical Stress scoring (SSS) system. Pain was assessed by self-report every three h. Side-effects compatible with morphine as well as morphine consumption were recorded. Morphine consumption was significantly increased in the PCA group compared with the CI group. Moreover, morphine consumption was associated with SSS, independent of the technique of administration. There were no significant differences between groups in pain scores or in the incidence of side-effects.

Concerns exist about the optimal analgesic for postoperative pain management following (adeno)tonsillectomy. Hence, we decided to review the efficacy of paracetamol (acetaminophen) and diclofenac in children aged 3 to 12 years after (adeno)tonsillectomy Pharmacokinetics and adverse effects of the two agents were also addressed. A MEDLINE search (1966 to 1998), review articles and textbooks were used as data sources. In general, systematic and practice-based research on these drugs for this indication is scarce. Paracetamol 20 mg/kg administered orally, 60 minutes preoperatively, and diclofenac 2 mg/kg administered rectally at induction seem to achieve satisfactory analgesia in the majority of children during the first few hours postoperatively.

The purpose of this clinical trial was to investigate the safety and efficacy of semi-closed circle ventilation of the Drager anaesthesia ventilators (Cicero, Cato), using a fresh gas flow (FGF) of 600ml.min -1 . Twenty infants, weighing less than 6000g, without cardiorespiratory abnormalities who required general anaesthesia of at least 30 min were included. The FGF was reduced to 600ml.min -1 after 10 min of denitrogenation with a FGF of 4 to 6 l.min -1 . The composition of the FGF (600ml.min -1 ) was calculated as follows: oxygen necessary for consumption (60ml.min -1 ) plus the remaining FGF in a 1:2 relationship for oxygen. The inspiratory nitrogen fraction was calculated to exclude accumulation. Inspiratory fractions of 02 and N 2 O plus inspiratory and endtidal CO 2 partial pressures and noninvasive oxygen saturation were the control parameters. The gas concentrations (02 and N 2 O) remained within safe limits. Hypoxic gas concentrations were not observed. Neither nitrogen nor CO 2 accumulated in the circle system. In conclusion, low flow anaesthesia can be performed safely in infants under 6000 grams with the Drager Cicero and Cato anaesthesia ventilators.

BACKGROUND: The electroencephalogram-derived Bispectral Index (BIS), and the composite A-line ARX index (cAAI), derived from the electroencephalogram and auditory evoked potentials, have been promoted as anesthesia depth monitors. Using an intracoperative wake-up test, we compared the performance of both indices in distinguishing different hypnotic states, as evaluated by the University of Michigan Sedation Scale, in children and adolescents during propofol-remifentanil anesthesia for scoliosis surgery. Postoperative explicit recall was also evaluated. METHODS: Twenty patients (aged 10-20 yr) were enrolled. Prediction probabilities were calculated for induction, wake-up test, and emergence. BIS and cAAI were compared at the start of the wake-up test, at purposeful movement to command, and after the patient was reanesthetized. During the wake-up test, patients were instructed to remember a color, and were then interviewed for explicit recall. RESULTS: Prediction probabilities of BIS and cAAI for induction were 0.82 and 0.63 (P < 0.001), for the wake-up test, 0.78 and 0.79 (P < 0.001), and 0.74 and 0.78 for emergence (P < 0.001). During the wake-up test, a significant increase in mean BIS and cAAI (P < 0.05) was demonstrated at purposeful movement, followed by a significant decline after reintroduction of anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: During induction, BIS performed better than cAAI. Although cAAI was statistically a better discriminator for the level of consciousness during the wake-up test and emergence, these differences do not appear to be clinically meaningful. Both indices increased during the wake-up test, indicating a higher level of consciousness. No explicit recall was demonstrated.

Objective: To examine morphine metabolite serum concentrations in neonates undergoing venoarterial extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and to quantify clearance differences between these neonates and those subjected to noncardiac major surgery. Patients and methods: This was an observational study in level III referral centre Fourteen neonates (

To study morphine pharmacokinetics in neonates undergoing venoarterial ECMO and to quantify differences between these neonates and neonates subjected to noncardiac major surgery.Observational study in a level III referral center.Pharmacokinetic estimates from 14 neonates undergoing ECMO were compared with findings from a previous study in 0- to 3-year-olds after noncardiac major surgery using a nonlinear mixed effect model. A one-compartment linear disposition model with zero-order input (infusion) and first-order elimination was used to describe all data.Clearance in neonates (age7 days) at the start of ECMO (2.2 l per hour per 70 kg) was lower than that in postoperative neonates (10.5 l per hour per 70 kg) but increased rapidly (maturation half-life 30 and 70 days, respectively) and equaled that of the postoperative group after 14 days. Clearance was affected by size and age only. Exchange transfusion, when used, contributed only 1.1% (CV 46%) of total clearance. Distribution volume increased with age and was 2.5 times (CV 102%) greater in ECMO children than in postoperative children. The between-subject variability values for volume of distribution and clearance were 49.4% and 38.7%. Weight and age information explained 83% of the overall clearance variability and 60% of overall distribution volume variability.Morphine clearance is reduced in infants requiring ECMO, possibly reflecting severity of illness. Clearance maturation on ECMO is rapid and normalizes within 2 weeks. Initial morphine dosing may be guided by age and weight, but clearance and distribution volume changes (and their variability) during prolonged ECMO suggests that morphine therapy should be subsequently guided by clinical monitoring.

Does pain or tissue damage in early life lead to hyperalgesia persisting into childhood? We performed a cross-sectional study in 164 infants to investigate whether major surgery within the first 3 months of life increases pain sensitivity to subsequent surgery and to elucidate whether subsequent surgery in the same dermatome or in a different dermatome leads to differences in pain sensitivity. All infants received standard intraoperative and postoperative pain management, with rescue analgesia guided by a treatment algorithm. Differences in pain sensitivity during surgery were assessed by the intraoperative fentanyl intake and by (nor)epinephrine plasma concentrations. Differences in postoperative pain sensitivity were assessed by the observational pain measures COMFORT and VAS, and by morphine intake and (nor)epinephrine plasma concentrations. Infants previously operated upon in the same dermatome needed more intraoperative fentanyl, had higher COMFORT and VAS scores, had greater (nor)epinephrine plasma concentrations, and needed also more morphine than did infants with no prior surgery. In contrast, infants who previously underwent surgery in another dermatome had only significant higher postoperative analgesic requirements and norepinephrine plasma concentrations in comparison with infants with no prior surgery. These preliminary differences may indicate the occurrence of spinal and supraspinal changes following neonatal surgery. We conclude that the long-term consequences of surgery in early infancy are greater in areas of prior tissue damage and that these effects may portend limited clinical but important neurobiological differences.

Objectives. Pain exposure during early infancy affects the pain perception beyond infancy into childhood. The objective of this study was to examine whether major surgery within the first 3 months of life in combination with preemptive analgesia alters pain responses to immunization at 14 or 45 months and to assess whether these alterations are greater in toddlers with a larger number of negative hospital experiences.Methods. Two groups of 50 toddlers each were compared: index group and control group. All index toddlers had participated within the first 3 months of their life in a randomized, clinical trial that evaluated the efficacy of preemptive morphine administration for postoperative analgesia. The controls were matched by type of immunization and community health care pediatrician. Pain reactions were recorded at routine immunization at either 14 (measles-mumps-rubella immunization) or 45 months (diphtheria-tetanus-trivalent polio immunization) of age. Outcome measures were facial reaction, coded by the Maximum Discriminative Facial Movement Coding System; heart rate (HR); and cortisol saliva concentration. Negative hospital experiences included number of operations requiring postoperative morphine administration, cumulative Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System scores, and length of stay in the intensive care unit or total hospitalization days.Results. No differences were found between the index and control groups in the facial display of pain, anger, or sadness or in physiologic parameters such as HR and cortisol concentrations. Intragroup analyses of the index group showed that after measles-mumps-rubella vaccination, the number of negative hospital experiences correlated positively with the facial responsiveness and negatively with HR responses. No effect was seen after diphtheria-tetanus-trivalent polio immunization.Conclusions. Major surgery in combination with preemptive analgesia within the first months of life does not alter pain response to subsequent pain exposure in childhood. Greater exposure to early hospitalization influences the pain responses after prolonged time. These responses, however, diminish after a prolonged period of nonexposure.