RecruitingACTRN12623000405617

ECHIDNA: A study in infants having inguinal hernia repair surgery looking at their oxygen saturation levels before and after surgery using a Nonin oximeter

Evaluating Children undergoing inguinal Hernia surgery Investigating Desaturations using Nonin oximeter Assessments (ECHIDNA)


Sponsor

Perth Children's Hospital

Enrollment

60 participants

Start Date

May 26, 2023

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Summary

Surgical repair of an inguinal hernia is a common procedure in early childhood. The incidence of inguinal hernia’s is inversely related to an infant’s birth weight, gestational age, and is more common in boys. Prematurity (less than 36 weeks gestational age) is identified as a major risk factor for the development of inguinal hernias, with approximately 30% of preterm infants diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. Most preterm infants diagnosed with inguinal hernias in our institution will undergo surgical repair prior to discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It is well documented that preterm infants undergoing general anaesthesia have an increased risk of cardiorespiratory events including apnoea and bradycardia. Respiratory adverse events are common in paediatric anaesthesia and comprise more than three quarters of all critical incidents and half of all unplanned admission to paediatric intensive care unit. While studies have looked at the post-operative apnoeas and the risk associated with apnoea in infants, there are few studies that have explored the respiratory trajectory of these patients undergoing inguinal hernia repairs. In this study, oximetry and apnoeas will be measured both pre- and post-operatively, along with transcutaneous carbon dioxide levels on the night of surgery to investigate the impact of anaesthesia and surgery on these young infants. Particularly, identifying infants at increased risk of respiratory complications through pre-operative continuous pulse oximetry may potentially reduce morbidity and help guide clinicians on the optimal allocation of resources including the length and intensity of post-operative monitoring required, and ultimately the anaesthesia management plan. This is a pilot study to assess the feasibility of investigating the respiratory profile (deviation from baseline SpO2, desaturation events, apnoeas, carbon dioxide levels) in infants (up to 6 months corrected age) undergoing inguinal hernia repair to assess the recovery profile after surgery under general anaesthesia and/ or regional block at Perth Children’s Hospital, a tertiary specialist paediatric centre to inform the planning of a larger trial. The study will also evaluate the rate of participant recruitment and rate of adherence to the protocol.


Eligibility

Sex: Both males and femalesMin Age: 1 WeeksMax Age: 10 Monthss

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

Inguinal hernias (where tissue pushes through a weak spot in the groin) are common in premature and young infants, and they almost always need to be surgically repaired. After the operation, babies need opioid pain relief, but these medications can suppress breathing, which is especially risky in young or premature infants. Standard care monitors oxygen levels in the blood, but does not routinely track carbon dioxide, which is actually a more sensitive indicator of breathing problems. This small pilot study at Perth Children's Hospital will monitor both oxygen (SpO2) and carbon dioxide (transcutaneous CO2) levels in infants before and after inguinal hernia repair surgery. The aim is to understand how breathing changes in these vulnerable young patients during recovery and to identify which infants show the greatest respiratory changes — information that will guide safer post-operative monitoring protocols and help plan a larger future study. Your baby may be eligible if they are up to 6 months corrected gestational age and are scheduled for elective inguinal hernia repair under general anaesthesia at Perth Children's Hospital. Babies with known significant heart or lung conditions, or who are currently taking opioid pain medications, would not be eligible.

This is a simplified summary. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

A multi-centre pilot study will be carried out at Perth Children’s Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital in Western Australia. Participants will be recruited prior to the day of their surgery. In

A multi-centre pilot study will be carried out at Perth Children’s Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital in Western Australia. Participants will be recruited prior to the day of their surgery. Informed consent will be via eConsent in Redcap or via written paper versions of the parent information sheet and consent form. Once informed voluntary consent is obtained, the research team will provide the family with the Nonin WristOx pulse oximeter and consumables (batteries, fixomull, sensor) for the child to wear for 48 continuous hours prior to inguinal hernia repair surgery. Parents will be provided with an instruction sheet on how to apply the device and troubleshoot common problems. If the patient is a current inpatient at Perth Children’s Hospital or in the neonatal intensive care unit at King Edward Memorial Hospital, then the Nonin WristOx pulse oximeter and consumables will be provided to the nursing staff and will be worn in addition to the normal ward monitoring. If the participant is an inpatient at Perth Children’s Hospital prior to their surgery, transcutaneous carbon dioxide (tcCO2) monitoring will be applied using the SenTec digital monitoring device and tcCO2 data will be collected for 12 hours pre-operatively as a baseline. Blood Oxygen levels (SpO2) will be measured by the Nonin wrist-worn oximeter device (WristOx 3150, Nonin Medical, Plymouth, MN) for 48 hours pre- and post the operation. The Nonin WristOx 3150 is a small, lightweight pulse oximeter that can be placed on the side of the cot, with the probe applied to the infants’ toe or foot. This type of device can be used in hospital and at the patient’s home as it is easy to use and is activated when the probe is connected. To assess the whole ventilatory profile, transcutaneous carbon dioxide levels (tcCO2) will be measured by the non-invasive digital monitoring system, SenTec (SenTec, Lincoln, RI 02685 United States). On the day of surgery, all children will be anaesthetised in accordance with the Australian New Zealand College of Anaesthetists safety standards. Relevant information on the patient's demographics, medical history and perioperative management will be collected. Once returned to the ward, all children will have tcCO2 monitoring postoperatively, a probe will be applied to the patient’s forehead or shoulder on the first night after surgery. The tcCO2 device will record for a maximum of 12 hours overnight and will be connected to the patient within an hour of their normal bedtime. Oximetry data will be obtained using the same Nonin oximeter. These post-operative measurements will be performed in addition to standard ward monitoring. Patient's will wear the Nonin WristOx 3150 for 48 continuous hours and it will be connected to the patient once they reach the post operative ward or ICU.


Locations(2)

Perth Children's Hospital - Nedlands

WA, Australia

King Edward Memorial Hospital - Subiaco

WA, Australia

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ACTRN12623000405617