Pediatric Anesthesiology course

Lesson 1 • Pediatric Pharmacology Principles

Analyzes how absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion differ in children. Guides weight-based and age-adjusted dosing strategies used throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Developmental Physiology for Anesthesiologists

Examines cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and thermoregulatory maturation from neonate to adolescent. Connects physiological immaturity to anesthetic risk and monitoring priorities.

Lesson 3 • Pediatric Anatomy and Airway Differences

Covers structural distinctions of the pediatric airway, head, and thorax relevant to anesthesia. Provides the anatomical basis for equipment selection and airway management techniques.

Lesson 1 • History Taking in Pediatric Patients

Structures a comprehensive anesthetic history including birth, developmental, and surgical history. Establishes the information framework needed for risk stratification.

Lesson 2 • Fasting Guidelines and Premedication

Applies evidence-based fasting intervals for solids, breast milk, and clear fluids across age groups. Covers premedication agents, dosing, and timing for anxiolysis and aspiration prophylaxis.

Lesson 3 • Physical Examination for Anesthetic Risk

Focuses the physical exam on airway, cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological findings relevant to anesthetic planning. Connects exam findings to ASA classification and risk scoring.

Lesson 4 • Preoperative Optimization of High-Risk Patients

Identifies conditions requiring optimization before elective surgery, including respiratory infections and cardiac lesions. Guides decisions to proceed, delay, or refer.

Lesson 1 • Difficult and Failed Airway Algorithms

Applies structured algorithms for anticipated and unanticipated difficult airways in pediatric patients. Prepares practitioners to execute front-of-neck access when required.

Lesson 2 • Direct and Video Laryngoscopy

Compares direct laryngoscopy blade types with video laryngoscopy platforms for pediatric intubation. Builds technique for optimal glottic visualization across age groups.

Lesson 3 • Mask Ventilation Techniques

Teaches one-handed and two-handed mask ventilation adapted to pediatric facial anatomy. Addresses common pitfalls such as airway obstruction and gastric insufflation.

Lesson 4 • Supraglottic Airway Devices

Covers insertion, fixation, and ventilation through LMAs and other supraglottic devices in elective and rescue scenarios. Defines appropriate case selection and contraindications.

Lesson 1 • Neuromuscular Blockade and Reversal

Covers succinylcholine, rocuronium, and vecuronium dosing with age-specific sensitivity considerations. Includes sugammadex and neostigmine reversal protocols and monitoring.

Lesson 2 • Intravenous Induction Agents

Compares propofol, ketamine, and etomidate for IV induction across pediatric age groups and clinical contexts. Guides agent selection based on hemodynamic status and procedure type.

Lesson 3 • Volatile Anesthetic Maintenance

Covers MAC values, age-related adjustments, and monitoring of volatile agents during maintenance. Connects end-tidal concentration targets to depth of anesthesia and hemodynamic stability.

Lesson 4 • Total Intravenous Anesthesia in Children

Applies TIVA using propofol and remifentanil infusions with weight-based pharmacokinetic models. Addresses depth of anesthesia monitoring and TIVA advantages in specific pediatric cases.

Lesson 1 • Perioperative Fluid Calculations

Applies the 4-2-1 maintenance rule, deficit replacement, and ongoing loss estimation to clinical scenarios. Guides selection of isotonic versus glucose-containing solutions.

Lesson 2 • Cell Salvage and Blood Conservation

Introduces intraoperative cell salvage, antifibrinolytic agents, and normovolemic hemodilution as blood conservation strategies. Connects these techniques to reducing allogeneic transfusion exposure.

Lesson 3 • Pediatric Fluid Physiology

Reviews total body water distribution, extracellular fluid compartments, and insensible losses by age. Provides the physiological basis for perioperative fluid calculations.

Lesson 4 • Blood Loss Estimation and Transfusion Triggers

Teaches calculation of allowable blood loss using estimated blood volume and target hemoglobin. Defines transfusion triggers and restrictive transfusion strategies in children.

Lesson 1 • Epidural and Spinal Anesthesia

Applies lumbar and thoracic epidural catheter placement and spinal anesthesia techniques to pediatric patients. Addresses dosing, level assessment, and hemodynamic management.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Pediatric Regional Anesthesia

Covers indications, contraindications, and safety principles specific to performing regional blocks in anesthetized children. Establishes the risk-benefit framework guiding block selection.

Lesson 3 • Caudal Epidural Block

Teaches caudal block anatomy, needle placement, and local anesthetic dosing for lower abdominal and perineal surgery. Covers additives, duration extension, and complication avoidance.

Lesson 4 • Upper and Lower Extremity Nerve Blocks

Covers ultrasound-guided brachial plexus, femoral, sciatic, and popliteal blocks for pediatric orthopedic and trauma cases. Connects block selection to surgical site and analgesic duration needs.

Lesson 1 • Chronic and Complex Pain Considerations

Addresses opioid tolerance, neuropathic pain, and chronic pain conditions encountered perioperatively in children. Guides consultation and modified analgesic planning for complex patients.

Lesson 2 • Pain Assessment in Children

Applies validated pain scales appropriate for neonates, preverbal children, and school-age patients. Establishes accurate pain measurement as the foundation for analgesic decision-making.

Lesson 3 • Multimodal Analgesia Protocols

Integrates pharmacological and regional techniques into procedure-specific analgesic pathways. Demonstrates how combining agents reduces total opioid consumption and side effects.

Lesson 4 • Opioid Analgesics in Pediatrics

Covers morphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, and oxycodone dosing, routes, and monitoring in children. Addresses respiratory depression risk, reversal, and opioid-sparing strategies.

Lesson 1 • Anesthesia for Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology

Applies neuroanesthetic principles including ICP management, cerebral perfusion pressure, and positioning to pediatric neurosurgical cases. Covers anesthesia for MRI and interventional neuroradiology.

Lesson 2 • Neonatal and Ex-Premature Anesthesia

Addresses unique risks of neonatal surgery including apnea, hypothermia, and immature organ function. Covers postoperative apnea monitoring thresholds and caffeine prophylaxis.

Lesson 3 • Anesthesia for Airway and ENT Surgery

Manages shared airway challenges in tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, bronchoscopy, and laryngeal surgery. Covers jet ventilation, spontaneous ventilation techniques, and post-obstructive pulmonary edema.

Lesson 4 • Rare Syndromes and Metabolic Disorders

Prepares practitioners for anesthetic management of malignant hyperthermia susceptibility, mucopolysaccharidoses, and mitochondrial disorders. Emphasizes preoperative identification and trigger avoidance.