Introduction. Massive perioperative blood loss that accompanies major surgical interventions is a specific critical condition, the pathogenesis of which is dominated by severe hypovolemia, anemia, and threatening coagulopathy in combination with powerful shockogenic sympathoadrenal stress. Both massive blood loss itself and massive transfusion are associated with a significant risk of serious complications, including death. It is worth noting that information on the survival of patients after replacement of several circulating blood volume (CBV) is limited, and most of the articles are devoted to adult patients with highly traumatic surgical interventions.The objective was to present the experience in managing the patient with blood loss of more than 5.5 CBV according to the MT protocol adopted at the Research Institute of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology. The 3-year-old patient underwent surgical intervention in the following volume: median laparotomy, nephradrenalectomy on the right (lesion 10–15–20 cm in size), paracaval and aortocaval lymph node dissection (conglomerate 7–8 cm in size), resection of S5-S6-S7 liver segments, resection of the right domes of the diaphragm. During the surgical intervention of 440 minutes (7.3 hours), the total blood loss was 5.5 CBV (5.500 ml).Results. After surgery, he was transferred to prolonged assisted ventilation of the lungs, the duration of which was 2 days. On the 3rd day after the operation, adjuvant polychemotherapy was started. 17 days after the operation, the patient was transferred to the specialized department for further treatment. The patient was alive for a year after surgery.Conclusion. Maintenance of homeostasis, normothermia, normocoagulation through basic infusion therapy with balanced crystalloid solutions, targeted transfusion therapy with the introduction of fresh frozen plasma, transfusion of donor platelets and donor erythrocytes/autoerythrocytes during anesthesia in the child with extremely massive blood loss, contributed to early post-anesthetic rehabilitation, provided the opportunity to continue special treatment in the intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic epidural anesthesia is the gold standard for postoperative analgesia after thoracic surgery; its alternatives include paravertebral block (PVB) and erector spinae plane block (ESPB). However, ESPB has not been evaluated in comparison with intraoperative PVB for effectiveness and speed of recovery in the early postoperative period after thoracoscopic surgery in children with cancer. AIM: Our aim was to investigate the analgesic effectiveness of erector spinae muscle block compared to thoracic paravertebral block for intra and postoperative analgesia during thoracoscopic surgical interventions in children with thoracic tumors. MATERIALS AND METODS: A prospective, randomized, single-center study was conducted. The sample size was 90 patients (ESPB group, 45; PVB group, 45). Randomization was performed using computer-generated codes applying the hidden envelope method. Patient representatives and the investigators collecting outcome data were informed about the study. Participants were children aged 18 years with malignancy, ASA class I–II, and undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. The patients underwent ultrasound-guided blockades with the administration of local anesthetic at 2 mg/kg (ropivacaine) after general anesthesia induction and before surgical incision. Moreover, both groups received the same standardized pain management protocol during and after surgery. The main outcome was the effectiveness of analgesia, determined by the need for additional intraoperative opioid administration. The secondary outcomes included pain scores at rest and with movement within 24 hours postsurgery, 24-hour analgesic consumption, time to first analgesia, and postoperative complication incidence and severity. RESULTS: The time (min) required to perform the block was significantly shorter (p 0.05) in the ESPB 5.5 (6; 8.5) group than in the PVB 11 (9; 12) group. No significant difference was found in the intraoperative fentanyl dose between the ESPB and PVB groups, which was 150 (100; 300) µg and 150 (100; 200) µg (p 0.65), respectively. The PVB group had lower VAS scores at 24 hours postoperatively (p 0.001). In the ESPB group, the mean (standard deviation) of total tramadol consumption was 120 (25) mg/day, and in the PVB group, 54 (12) mg/day (p 0.001). Pain scores according to the VAS and Wong–Becker scales during movement were lower in the PVB group at 1, 2, 6,12, and 24 hours postsurgery (p=0.025, 0.015, 0.03, 0.02, and 0.006). CONCLUSION: In children with thoracic tumors who underwent thoracoscopic surgical interventions, ultrasound-guided PVB was more effective compared to ultrasound-guided ESPB performed in the postoperative period and induced a more pronounced and prolonged postoperative analgesic effect, although it was not inferior in providing intraoperative analgesia regarding opioid consumption. However, ESPB was easier to implement and required less time.

BACKGROUND: Certain children with recurrent episodes of acute nociceptive pain experience chronic pain. In accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, short-acting morphine is the main drug used to relieve severe pain and breakthrough pain. In published studies, morphine provided adequate analgesia in the majority (90%) of the patients; however, no such studies have compared the use of morphine tablets with a control group of pediatric patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of morphine tablets at a dose of 5 mg and compare them with those of morphine given intravenously at a dose of 10 mg/mL in children with severe pain syndrome in the postoperative period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter open randomized blind prospective clinical study was conducted in parallel groups of 100 patients aged 3–18 years with severe pain syndrome in the postoperative period between September 21, 2020, and December 15, 2022. Cumulative morphine consumption, visual analog scale analgesic efficacy, patient satisfaction scores, and adverse events (AEs) / serious adverse events (SAEs) were assessed. RESULTS: The comparative analysis of the average values of the total number of doses of an additional analgesic drug administered during treatment with the study drug (group 1)/comparison drug (group 2) in patients of different age groups (cohorts 1, 2, 3) did not reveal significant differences (p=0.05). This finding indicated the equal effectiveness of the used forms of drugs in both groups. Moreover, no significant differences were noted in the development of AEs associated with the study drug (group 1) compared with AEs of the reference drug (group 2) in patients of different age groups (cohorts 1, 2, 3); (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of the study drug in tablets in comparison with an injection drug in children with severe pain syndrome.

BACKGROUND: In the protocols of rapid recovery after surgery, it is recommended to avoid long-term administration and/ or high doses of opioids in order to reduce the severity of their adverse reactions in the postoperative period. In this regard, opioid-sparing anesthesia (OSA) may become a promising approach to the treatment of cancer patients. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of multimodal OSA in the scheme “dexmedetomidine + ketamine (in subanesthetic doses) + lidocaine (intravenous infusion)” in pediatric oncosurgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center prospective randomized study involved 40 children aged 12 to 18 years. Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the method of anesthesia: in group I (n =20), combined endotracheal anesthesia with opioids was performed, in group II (n =20) — multimodal OCA based on intravenous infusion of lidocaine, dexmedetomidine and subanesthetic doses of ketamine. The patients underwent extended operations in the head and neck area in the volume of thyroidectomy with fascial-sheath lymph dissection and excision of the central tissue of the neck from 2 sides. RESULTS: With stable intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, the median total intraoperative need for analgesics in group II was: for lidocaine — 351 (289.6; 418.5) mg (which is 1.75 mg/kg per hour), for dexmedetomidine — 88.2 (38.5; 119.7) µ g, for ketamine — 21.6 (17.4; 27.3) mg. In group I, the median total intraoperative need for fentanyl was 273.7 (406; 240.9) µ g. In addition, in group I, the median amount required for postoperative analgesia of the synthetic opioid analgesic tramadol was 419 (365.6; 479) mg (which is 7.8 mg/kg; p =0.01). In group II, the median amount of lidocaine required for postoperative analgesia (1 mg/kg per hour) turned out to be 1377.3 (735.7; 1894) mg, while additional tramadol administration at a dose of 57.3 (28.5; 107.7) mg was required in only 7 (35%) patients. CONCLUSION: Multimodal OSA based on dexmedetomidine, lidocaine, ketamine and sevoflurane is an effective and safe method of anesthesia in children from 12 to 18 years old, which is not inferior to opioid analgesics in the treatment of perioperative pain during surgical interventions on the thyroid and parathyroid glands in cancer patients, and also reduces the number of adverse reactions characteristic of opioids.

BACKGROUND: Effective anesthesia is one of the most important factors in rapid and successful rehabilitation after surgery. Inadequately selected analgesia and consequent pain significantly slow down the recovery process and are associated with several complications that cover almost all organs and systems and reduce the patients quality of life in the long term. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze 6 years of clinical experience with perioperative epidural anesthesia in the Research Institute of Pediatric Oncology, considering the effectiveness, safety, and satisfaction of patients and their legal representatives with this medical aid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective single-center continuous cohort study was conducted on patients who received epidural analgesia as part of perioperative anesthesia in the period from 2016 to 2021. Data from 702 (48.5%) boys and 745 (51.5%) girls were analyzed. Children were divided into three main groups according to age: from 1 month to 1 year (14.3%), from 1 year to 7 years (37.8%), and from 8 years to 18 years (47.8%). The area of surgical intervention was also considered: abdominal surgery (65.2%), thoracic (8.5%), and orthopedic (26.4%). The choice of the local anesthesia level has also influenced the results. The main study outcomes were the intensity of postoperative pain syndrome in pediatric oncosurgery and additional consumption of narcotic analgesics after the administration of a mixture of topical drugs with or without adjuvants into the epidural space. RESULTS: The effectiveness of epidural anesthesia in the intraoperative period was quite high, which is confirmed by the stability of hemodynamic parameters. Intraoperatively, additional administration of systemic narcotic analgesics was noted in 5% of the total sample. In all observed patients, epidural adjuvants (morphine and promedol) ensured the optimal duration of action and analgesic efficacy of caudal blockade in the postoperative period; therefore, additional painkillers were not needed. Satisfaction with the intervention was generally high, with 98% providing a rating of very good or good. CONCLUSION: Anesthesia methods (epidural blockade), optimal pain control, and active postoperative recovery (including early oral nutrition and mobilization) in fast-track surgery reduce stress reactions and organ dysfunction, significantly reducing the time required for a full recovery.

BACKGROUND: According to world statistics, about 15% of all malignant tumors are localized in the nasal cavity and rhinopharynx. Endoscopic rhinolaryngosurgery is considered to be low-traumatic. Combining general anesthesia with regional anesthesia improves the quality of the operation and ensures the effectiveness and safety of surgical intervention. To optimize the anesthetic support for endoscopic pediatric rhinolaryngology, we proposed a method of combining bilateral cranial anesthesia with palatal access (or palatine) to guarantee perioperative analgesia and provide comfortable conditions for the surgeon (minimize bleeding). Comfortable conditions also imply a reduction in the intensity of postoperative pain. Pain syndrome after surgery is also associated with the use of a Merocel nasal tampon, which also results in reflexogenic reactions. Therefore, we proposed to perform infiltration anesthesia of the nose from three points according to Weissblatt immediately after surgery to reduce the manifestations of discomfort, pain syndrome, and reflex reactions from standing with a Merocel nasal tampon. AIM: This study aimed to optimize the anesthetic provision with the use of regional anesthesia in pediatric endorinolaryngology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At the end of July 2021, two endoscopic rhinosinusosurgical interventions were performed at the N.N. Blokhin Research Institute of DO and G, which were of interest for the development of optimized anesthesia approach. Two patients of comparable age were treated in the 1st surgical department and underwent combined anesthesia with the use of wing anesthesia with palatal access. For postoperative anesthesia, one patient underwent infiltration anesthesia of the nose from three points according to Weissblatt, and the other underwent infraorbital anesthesia. RESULTS: In both subjects, combined anesthesia with the use of regional anesthesia methods provided sufficient efficacy and safety; ensured the comfort of the surgeons work; and reduced the risk of trigeminocardial reflex, postoperative nausea, and vomiting and the concentrations of inhalation anesthetics to be applied. Therefore, the use of infiltration anesthesia of the nose from three points according to Weissblatt significantly improves the quality of life in the postoperative period and eases the discomfort from the Merocel nasal tampon. CONCLUSIONS: The results elucidated the combination of preventive analgesia and multimodal anesthesia.

Aiml. Optimization of anesthesia during enucleation of the eyeball in pediatric oncosurgery with an emphasis on regional methods. Material and Methods. Eight anesthesias were performed in children, whose average age was 3 years, operated on for retinoblastoma from July 2021 to January 2022. All patients underwent combined endotracheal anesthesia. A triple block was used as a regional component: palatal anesthesia, infraorbital anesthesia and van Lint block. Results. The effectiveness and adequacy of the proposed method of anesthesia using regional anesthesia was assessed in terms of hemodynamics – heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the level of oppression of consciousness (BIS-index). The assessment was made at five stages: the beginning of anesthesia, tracheal intubation, 10 minutes after the triple block, at the traumatic stage of surgery, and at the end of anesthesia before tracheal extubation. As a result, it was noted that the studied variant of anesthetic management is characterized by a stable hemodynamic profile, and also does not provoke the development of an oculocardial reflex. There was a decrease in the level of the BIS-index below 40 c.u. at the stage of maintenance of anesthesia, which indicated the possibility of using lower concentrations of sevoflurane. Conclusions. This option of anesthetic management has sufficient efficiency and safety, and also allows to ensure the comfort of the surgeon. Key words: retinoblastoma; combined anesthesia; regional anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The retrobulbar block in children is used to enucleate analgesia in the intra- and postoperative period and prevent oculocardiac reflex (OCD), postoperative nausea, and vomiting. However, when the block is performed blindly, it results in serious complications. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a retrobulbar block performed under ultrasound guidance compared with a retrobulbar block performed blindly during enucleation of the eyeball in children with retinoblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed. The study included 40 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The patients were divided into two groups: 20 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided retrobulbar blockade (RBВ + ultrasound) and 20 patients who underwent blindly retrobulbar blockade (RBВ). RESULTS: There was an insignificant decrease in intraoperative opioid requirements in the RBB + ultrasound group, where the average dose of fentanyl was 41.4 g/kg, and in the RBB group, 4.70.8 g/kg (p 0.05). The time before the administration of the first dose of analgesic in the postoperative period was 4.70.8 h in the RBB group and 11.73.3 h in the RBB + ultrasound group (p 0.05). VAS and CHIPPS scores obtained 6 h after the end of surgery in the RBB + ultrasound and RBB groups were 1.8 (1.2; 2) and 2.5 (3.8; 4.5) points (p 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference between the time of the retrobulbar blockade under ultrasound guidance and the retrobulbar regional block performed blindly. Retrobulbar blockade performed under ultrasound guidance provides a decrease in intraoperative opioid requirements, stable intraoperative hemodynamics, and longer postoperative analgesia.

Introduction. Retinoblastoma (RB) is a malignant tumor of the retina, the survival rate for the intraocular form reaches 99 %. According to the researchers, the risk factors for the occurrence of refractory or recurrent forms of RB are the size of the tumor at primary diagnosis (more than 15 mm), the child's age at the onset of the disease (up to one year), bilateral RB, and the presence of subretinal and vitreal screenings. If methods of local destruction of the tumor are not applicable for the successful treatment of intraocular refractory or recurrent RB, then they resort to the second line of polychemotherapy as an alternative to enucleation. New versions of local chemotherapy and radiation therapy (gamma knife) are being developed and applied. Nowadays, researchers have a negative attitude towards traditional radiation therapy (EBRT) as a method of organ-preserving treatment due to serious consequences (asymmetry of the facial skeleton and second radio-induced tumors).Aim of the study — to increase the effectiveness of organ-preserving treatment in patients with refractory or recurrent intraocular RB.Materials and methods. In the period from 10.2018 to 12.2019 at the N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Centre of Oncology it was received three-component selective intra-arterial chemotherapy (SIAC) in 15 patients (15 eyes) aged 11 to 52 months. Eyes initially affected by RB (n = 15), according to the IIRC (Murphree) classification, had the following groups: group B in 1 case, group C in 3, group D in 7, and group E in 4 eyes. It should be noted that all patients initially received intensive combined conservative therapy: in 11 (73 %) of 15 cases — systemic chemotherapy VEC; in 13 (86 %) of 15 — SIAC with melphalan, in all cases, additionally, two-component SIAC was used in combination with melphalan with topotecan. In some cases, local therapy in the form of intravitreal chemotherapy (IVIC) was added to the treatment of 6 (40 %) of 15 patients in the form of melphalan monotherapy and in one case (6 %) a doublet was used in combination with melphalan and topotecan. Also, in some patients, additional local ophthalmic therapy was used: transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in 6 out of 15 patients, including in combination with cryotherapy (CT) in 1 patient and in combination with brachytherapy (BT) in one case. At the same time, incomplete tumor regression (refractory form of the disease) was noted in 7 out of 15, and a recurrent course of the disease — in 8 out of 15 patients. Incomplete tumor regression and recurrent RB were the reasons for the appointment of a three-component SIAC using carboplatin, melphalan and topotecan, in combination with IVIC with pronounced endophytic growth of RB, as an alternative to irradiation and enucleation of the eye.Results. The average number of three-component SIAC courses was 1.46 ± 0.63 (rang 1—3). The combination of SIAHT with IVHT was performed in 3 out of 15 patients. All children (n = 15) are alive with a median period of follow-up of23.92 ± 15.68 (10—64) months. One in 15 patients was lost from observation due to their parents’ desire to be treated abroad. It is known that the child is alive, but there is no data on the condition of his eyes. 9 out of 14 patients needed additional treatment after SIAC intensification. To consolidate the resulting effect as a full regression in 2 cases, the final IVIC courses were conducted (n = 2). In connection with the presence of residual tumor and/or intraocular progression and/or appearance of new lesions in 1 of 9 patients were IVIC and TTT, 2 of 9 — IVIC, SIAC, CT, TTT. In 4 out of 9 cases, enucleation was performed, and in 2 out of 4 — the operation was performed after continuing the attempt of organ-preserving treatment: after CT and TTT (n = 1) and IVIC, CT, TTT and BT (n = 1). No child was given ERBT. There were no cases of stroke after SIAC. We managed to save 10 (71.4 %) of 14 eyes with visual acuity: object vision in 4 (40 %) out of 10, eye fixation in 3 (30 %) out of 10, and light perception in 3 (30 %) out of 10 cases. The average follow-up period from the end of three-component SIAC in 14 patients was 13.57 ± 5.27 (6—22) months.Conclusion. Thus, the three-component SIAC is effective and safe for patients with refractory and recurrent retinoblastoma, as evidenced by a high percentage of retained eyes and the presence of visual functions from light perception to object vision.

The estimation of modern methods of sevofl urane anesthesia under APV, in 40 child patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Most of the interventions were radical and carried out under the retroperitoneal tumors, tumors of the kidneys, adrenal glands and liver. The role of analgesia during balanced anesthesia performed epidural block with amido class local anesthetics (ropivacaine, lidocaine). We have investigated the role of risk factors associated with laparoscopic interventions (the in fl uence of intra-abdominal pressure increase on cardiorespiratory system as well as insuf fl ated CO