The Asian Society of Paediatric Anaesthesiologists participation at the 50th National Conference of Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists 2002 in Coimbatore, India
The 50th National Conference of Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA) was held in Coimbatore, a city in southern India, from 26 December to 30 December with more than 2600 delegates. On 29 December, at the main auditorium, a whole day was devoted to paediatric anaesthesia with the Asian Society of Paediatric Anaesthesiologists (ASPA) participation, coordinated by Dr Lakshmi Vas from Mumbai. In addition to the local experts, paediatric anaesthesiologists from Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and the USA joined the scientific deliberations. India has a population of 1 billion, and young children (0–6 years) account for approximately 20% of India’s population. So, paediatric anaesthesia is discussed widely in India.
The meeting began with the inauguration of ASPA, followed by ‘Prof. V.G. Appukutty Memorial Oration’. Prof. V.G. Appukutty was the pioneer of paediatric anaesthesia in India. The lecture, ‘Evolution of paediatric anaesthesia – As I have seen it’ was delivered by Prof. H.L. Kaul from New Delhi. He reviewed the development of anaesthesia from the days of open-drop ether to 21st century paediatric anaesthesia.
A symposium on contemporary topics in paediatric anaesthesia included lectures on choice of anaesthesia for bronchoscopy (spontaneous ventilation vs controlled and jet ventilation), ex-premature infants,2 TIVA, paediatric breathing systems, problems of monitoring and their clinical solutions and epidural anaesthesia in paediatrics. The postlunch symposium was on ‘Best choice anaesthesia for common problems in private practice in paediatrics’, what was new in anaesthesia for hernia/undescended testis, common orthopaedic procedures, circumcision, cleft lip and palate, tonsillectomy and caudal epidural anaesthesia were discussed.
A session on case discussions was chaired by Prof. Elsa Varghese from Manipal. Three interesting cases were presented and two Indian anaesthesiologists and five anaesthesiologists from other countries participated in the discussion. There was very active participation from the floor sometimes so active that it got the panelists perspiring!
In India, and in many areas of Asia, paediatric anaesthesiologists have to deal with quite a heavy load of paediatric cases with minimal monitoring facilities in a rather hostile environment. The goal of ideal theatre and optimal working conditions remains far away, but this conference managed to get people with similar interests onto a common platform so that mutual exchange in ideas could be envisaged. The first step, the most important for the future has been taken. We are planning to have the third ASPA meeting with the inauguration of the Indian Society of Paediatric Anaesthesiologists in New Delhi, 22–23 November 2003 (information: Dr Dilip Pawar, e-mail address: dkpawar@hotmail.com).
Masao Yamashita
Ibaraki Children’s Hospital
Mito, Japan