Spinal anesthesia reduces the hazard of apnea in high-risk infants.
General anesthesia in premature babies is associated with a significant risk of life-threatening apnea. Spinal anesthesia in the high-risk infant is simple, safe, and effective, but the incidence of apnea with its use has not been previously determined. The total absence of apnea in 84 high-risk infants suggests that surgery below the umbilicus under spinal anesthesia can safely be performed on an outpatient basis in preterm infants or babies with a history of apnea. Ketamine as an adjunctive agent adds no apparent risk. The technique is relatively easy, surgery is not compromised, and parental acceptance is high.
Veverka
T J
TJ
Department of Surgery, Michigan State University, Lansing 48912.
Henry
D N
DN
Milroy
M J
MJ
Snyder
M E
ME
Fabian
E
E
Groch
J A
JA
Cobb
L M
LM
D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000592:standards*; D001049:Apnea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome