New Concepts and Techniques in Pediatric Anesthesia: Vol. 20, No. 1 (March 2002) of Anesthesiology Clinics of North America

Abstract

New Concepts and Techniques in Pediatric Anesthesia: Vol. 20, No. 1 (March 2002) of Anesthesiology Clinics of North America Linda J. Mason and Michelle S. Kim, editors Darien, Illinois: WB Saunders Company, 2002. ISBN 0889-8537; 246 pp, $154.00 per year. This book is an engaging volume that discusses practical concepts needed to take care of a child who is being anesthetized. The guest editors, along with 22 contributors, have done a wonderful job putting together a significant number of practice issues related to pediatric anesthesia in a comprehensive and clinically oriented pattern. This monograph consists of 12 chapters, including one on cardiac arrest and another addressing ethical dilemmas in pediatric surgical patients. The contributors have done a nice job of writing their chapter with minimal duplications. The chapters are easy to read and easily understood. The material is presented lucidly with appropriate references and data. The chapter on cardiac arrest reflects current practice and provides a quick algorithm for treatment of cardiac arrest in children. The chapter on psychological preparation of children prior to surgery imparts a good overview on the control of preoperative anxiety and the common clinical options available for anxiolysis prior to surgery in children. The chapter on the perioperative control of pain reviews current information regarding the use of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, alpha 2 agonists, and opioids; the authors recommend using an integrated approach to achieve adequate analgesia. The chapter on pediatric regional anesthesia is well written and provides descriptions of the procedures and avoidable errors. There is even a chapter describing sedation and analgesia for pediatric patients outside the operating room or in the office. This is a good source for guidelines and policies issued by the ASA and JCAHO. This chapter also emphasizes the need for office-based anesthesia with its advantages and disadvantages. These reviewers especially enjoyed the last chapter on ethical dilemmas for pediatric surgical patients because all will occasionally face such situations, especially when they present as surgical emergencies. The contributors emphasize a detailed, stepwise approach to decision-making, including concern for legal and ethical issues surrounding minors with illustrative case examples. One should realize that this is not a textbook of pediatric anesthesia, but an update on important current practices. Thus, this issue of the Anesthesiology Clinics of North America is recommended because it provides a quick and easy reference and a valuable tool for newer concepts and techniques in pediatric anesthesia (the title of this issue).