Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS) using supraglottic airway and thoracic epidural in pediatric patients: A pilot study

Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS) in pediatric patients using regional anesthesia is a well-recognized modality. However, there is no research on the use of supraglottic devices in pediatric patients under cardiopulmonary bypass. Twelve patients for acyanotic congenital heart surgery were recruited. An appropriately sized I-gel was inserted, and positive pressure ventilation without any leak or increased airway pressure was confirmed. Extubation was performed on the operating table without any airway complications or hemodynamic changes. The mean ICU stay was 1.6 days. With the correct selection of patients and strict vigilance, epidural analgesia and I-gel are well-tolerated and enable ultrafast tracking of patients with smooth extubation and superior hemodynamic stability in congenital cardiac surgery.