Michelet D, et al. Management of perioperative laryngospasm by French paediatric anaesthetists. Br J Anaesth. 2017 Aug 1;119(2) :342-343.

“Perioperative laryngospasm is a life-threating emergency in paediatric patients. A recent multicentre study of children undergoing surgery¹ found a high rate of severe critical events during the perioperative period (5.2%), with an incidence of respiratory critical events of 3.1%. Laryngospasm was one of most frequent respiratory complications (0.2–6.7%). Its effective management requires appropriate diagnosis, followed by prompt and aggressive management. The use of a structured algorithm would lead to earlier recognition and better management.² We undertook a survey in order to explore the practical management of laryngospasm by French paediatric anaesthetists.

The main findings of this survey include 1) lack of a structured algorithm for management of laryngospasm in most institutions, 2) differences in mode of ventilation during laryngospasm, and 3) variability in doses of drugs used to alleviate laryngospasm. Otherwise clinical signs that trigger treatment were consistent and in accordance with the literature.

Further studies are needed to clarify the optimal ventilation during laryngospasm and the optimal i.v. doses of the pharmacological agents.”