Respiratory complications in the pediatric postanesthesia care unit

Britta S von Ungern-Sternberg

doi:10.1016/j.anclin.2013.10.004

Respiratory complications in the pediatric postanesthesia care unit

Anesthesiol Clin. 2014 Mar;32(1):45-61. doi: 10.1016/j.anclin.2013.10.004. Epub 2013 Dec 8.

Author

Britta S von Ungern-Sternberg¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Roberts Road, Subiaco, Western Australia 6008, Australia; School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia. Electronic address: britta.regli-vonungern@health.wa.gov.au.

PMID: 24491649
DOI: 10.1016/j.anclin.2013.10.004

Abstract

This article focuses on common respiratory complications in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Approximately 1 in 10 children present with respiratory complications in the PACU. The article highlights risk factors and at-risk populations. The physiologic and pathophysiologic background and causes for respiratory complications in the PACU are explained and suggestions given for an optimization of the anesthesia management in the perioperative period. Furthermore, the recognition, prevention, and treatment of these complications in the PACU are discussed.

Keywords: Pediatric anesthesia; Postanesthesia care unit; Recovery room; Respiratory complications; Risk factors.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adenoidectomy / adverse effects
Analgesics / therapeutic use
Anesthesia Recovery Period
Anesthetics
Child
Critical Care / methods*
Humans
Intensive Care Units, Pediatric
Perioperative Care
Postoperative Complications / therapy*
Respiration Disorders / prevention & control
Respiration Disorders / therapy*
Risk Factors
Tonsillectomy / adverse effects

Substances

Analgesics
Anesthetics