Adverse events in radiation oncology: A case series from wake up safe, the pediatric anesthesia quality improvement initiative

Background Radiation therapy in pediatric patients often requires anesthesia and poses environmental challenges. Monitoring must be done remotely to limit radiation exposure to the provider. Airway access can be limited by masks or frames. Care is often delivered in relatively inaccessible locations in the hospital. While individual institutions have reported their outcomes, this case series aims to review a multicenter registry of significant adverse events and make recommendations for improved care. Methods Wake Up Safe: The Pediatric Quality Improvement Initiative maintains a multisite, voluntary registry of pediatric perianesthetic significant adverse events. This was queried for reports from radiation oncology from January 1, 2010 to May 10, 2018. The database contained 3,379 significant adverse events from approximately 3.3 million anesthetics. All 33 institutions submitted data on a standardized form to a central data repository (Axio Research, Seattle Washington). Prior to each significant adverse events case submission, three anesthesiologists who were not involved in the event analyzed the event using a standardized root cause analysis method to identify the causal or contributing factor(s). Results Six significant adverse events were identified. In three, incorrect programming of a propofol infusion resulted in overdose. In case one, the 3‐year‐old female became hypotensive, requiring vasopressors and volume resuscitation. In the second, the 2‐year‐old female experienced airway obstruction and apnea requiring chin lift. In case three, the child suffered no consequences despite a noted overdose of propofol infusion. In case four, a 2‐year‐old female with recent respiratory infection suffered laryngospasm during an unmonitored transport to the recovery area. She developed profound oxygen desaturation with bradycardia treated with succinylcholine and chest compressions. In case five, a 6‐year‐old former premature child suffered laryngospasm at the conclusion of mask creation under general anesthesia with a laryngeal mask airway. The radiation mask delayed recognition of copious secretions. Finally, in case six, a 6‐year‐old undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery in a head halo suffered bronchospasm and unintended extubation during therapy which required multiple attempts at reintubation by multiple providers ultimately requiring cancellation of the treatment and transport to the intensive care unit. Conclusion There were few radiation oncology significant adverse events, but analysis has led to the identification of several specific opportunities for improvement in pediatric anesthesia for radiation oncology.