title: Blood conservation and pain control in scoliosis corrective surgery: an online survey of UK practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Discussion at local meetings led to the realization of the diversity in anaesthetic practice for pediatric and adolescent scoliosis surgery. This diversity was assessed using an online survey, the aim being to provoke discussion and highlight areas of future research.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the 24 centers practicing pediatric and adolescent scoliosis surgery, 21 completed questionnaires, a response rate of 88%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blood conservation; the area of greatest clinical variability was seen in dosing regimes for Tranexamic acid. Thromboprophylaxis; both mechanical and pharmacological regimes showed wide range in both application and timing. Pain control; eight different types of postoperative pain relief were utilized across the centres, some in isolation but many in combination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results from our survey show wide variation nationally and hopefully will provoke discussion and ultimately national multi-centred research to define best practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Southampton University Hospital, Southampton, UK. scottbird@btinternet.com
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bird
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McGill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000758:Anesthesia; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009020:Morphine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D019990:Perioperative Care; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000925:Anticoagulants; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D014148:Tranexamic Acid; D009020:Morphine