A&A practice
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Postsurgical trigeminal neuralgia (TN), although rare, can lead to significant hemodynamic perturbations by triggering the trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR). The combination can lead to diagnostic as well as management challenges for clinicians. We present the case of a patient with a parotid abscess, which developed as a complication of his otolaryngologic surgery, and which led to repeated episodes of symptomatic bradycardia associated with cardiovascular collapse. This case highlights the importance of heightened awareness, early diagnosis, and timely treatment of postsurgical neuropathic pain syndromes to avoid life-threatening complications.
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One of the many safety features of modern day anesthesia machines is the adjustable pressure limiting (APL) valve. This device regulates pressure within the anesthesia circuit during manual ventilation with the anesthesia bag. We report an unusual case where a crack in the APL valve allowed release of pressure from within the circuit resulting in ineffective bag-valve-mask ventilation of an infant. The appropriate steps to prevent such issues are reviewed, and an algorithm to quickly identify such intraoperative problems is presented.
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Case Reports
Splenic Rupture and Postpartum Hemorrhage After Emergent Cesarean Delivery: A Case Report.
Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality. Although rare, peripartum splenic rupture (PSR) is a lethal cause of bleeding due to variable presentation and delayed diagnosis. A 22-year-old gravida 2, para 0, abortus 1 (G2P0A1) woman presented for premature rupture of membranes and was diagnosed with Influenza A and chorioamnionitis. ⋯ Postoperatively, her condition worsened despite treatment for presumed sepsis. She was taken to the operating room for an exploratory laparotomy, and a splenectomy was performed for splenic rupture. We discuss management, risk factors, challenges, and importance of prompt treatment of PSR.
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This case demonstrates the airway management of a pediatric patient with short stature due to STAT5b deficiency, a rare genetic immunodeficiency associated with lung disease and endocrinopathy. The patient had recurrent pulmonary infections and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) for which whole lung lavage (WLL) was recommended. Due to short stature and overall body habitus, the patient's airway would not accommodate a traditional double-lumen tube (DLT). Therefore, we placed 2 single-lumen breathing tubes: 1 endobronchial and 1 endotracheal, to mimic a DLT and facilitate WLL, demonstrating a viable option for lung isolation in the absence of purpose-built equipment.