European journal of anaesthesiology
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The successful use of the laryngeal mask airway in children partly depends on the correct selection of size. Most anaesthesiologists rely on the weight-based table which is often difficult to remember. A simple method allowing an adequate choice of the correct size may be highly desirable. ⋯ Choosing the size of the laryngeal mask airway in children according to the size of the external ear was associated with a success rate of 93% which is comparable with that reported in the literature when the tables are used. This simple method may allow a rapid choice of the correct size of laryngeal mask airway and may eliminate the need to remember different tables or formulae.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A multicentre, randomised, open-label, controlled trial evaluating equivalence of inhalational and intravenous anaesthesia during elective craniotomy.
A clear preference for intravenous or inhalational anaesthesia has not been established for craniotomy in patients without signs of cerebral hypertension. ⋯ Equivalence was shown for inhalational and intravenous maintenance anaesthesia in times to reach an Aldrete score of at least 9 after tracheal extubation. Haemodynamic variables, the quality of surgical field and postoperative assessments were also similar. Perioperative endocrine stress responses were significantly blunted with propofol-remifentanil and higher analgesic requirements were recorded in the remifentanil groups.
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Although approximately 10% of all newborn infants receive some form of assistance after birth, only 1% of neonates require more advanced measures of life support. Because such situations cannot always be anticipated, paediatricians and neonatologists are frequently unavailable and resuscitation is delegated to the anaesthesiologist. The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, the European Resuscitation Council and the American Heart Association have recently updated the guidelines on neonatal resuscitation. ⋯ Continuous pulse oximetry is recommended to monitor both heart rate and an appropriate increase in preductal oxygen saturation. Supplemental oxygen should only be used if, despite effective ventilation, the heart rate does not increase above 100 beats min(-1), or if oxygenation as indicated by pulse oximetry, remains unacceptably low. This review will focus on foetal physiology and pathophysiological aspects of neonatal adaptation and, thus, attempt to provide a solid basis for understanding the new resuscitation guidelines.
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Although a life-threatening complication, pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents caused by vomiting or regurgitation during induction of anaesthesia cannot be prevented. It may be prevented if the mouth is placed more inferiorly than the larynx and tracheal bifurcation by the use of head-down tilt and head-neck positioning. ⋯ A head-down tilt equal to the mouth-arytenoid angle (levelling the mouth with the larynx) was necessary to completely prevent aspiration. This angle of tilt was within clinically relevant ranges only with the Sellick position.