Both novel devices provide safer and faster alternatives to conventional methods for calculation of fluid requirements in pediatric burns.

The addition of adjuvants to local anaesthetics for use in labour epidurals or for intrathecal administration is common practice in obstetric anaesthesia. This chapter provides an overview of the pharmacology of receptors within the epidural and intrathecal spaces and discusses the options available. Adjuncts are classified as opioid and non-opioid and each agent is explored in detail. The mechanism of action, clinical uses, effective dose ranges, speeds of onset and duration, side effects, disadvantages, and special circumstances associated with each agent are explored. Where formal guidelines exist, these are discussed in detail. Although large randomized controlled trial data is lacking, information regarding current knowledge of the behaviour of these agents in obstetric and non-obstetric practice is presented to assist clinicians when deciding about the appropriateness of each agent for their individual practice.

SUMMARY To help minimize the risks of blood component transfusion various techniques have been developed. These novel therapies have focused on the use of autologous transfusion techniques and the use of pharmacologic agents to reduce bleeding and therefore reduce transfusion requirements. These have the potential to drastically reduce transfusion requirements and benefit patients enormously. However, it is important that these therapies are not considered risk‐free and auditing their safety and monitoring their use is essential. There is a need to develop a hemovigilance reporting system to identify and quantify adverse effects associated with the use of these transfusion alternatives.

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