Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Mar 2009
Case ReportsMagnetic resonance scanning of the upper airway following difficult intubation reveals an unexpected lingual tonsil.
We present a case of a 40-year-old woman requiring elective surgery who had an unexpected Grade 4 Cormack and Lehane laryngoscopy view. Both curved and straight laryngoscope blades in the sniffing and hyperextended head and neck positions were used. ⋯ We feel that a comprehensive postoperative evaluation should be conducted after every difficult laryngoscopy (Cormack and Lehane Grade 3b and 4). The use of magnetic resonance imaging may provide important objective information for both the anaesthetist and the patient, allowing a better understanding of causes and possible solutions for future airway management.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Mar 2009
Case ReportsFibreoptic intubation under general anaesthesia--a simple method using an endotracheal tube as a conduit.
A novel technique for management of the difficult airway is described. The case report describes fibreoptic intubation of a patient who refused awake intubation. ⋯ Connection of the anaesthetic circuit allowed maintenance of anaesthesia, oxygenation and assisted ventilation while flexible bronchoscopy was performed through the tube via a bronchoscopy connector The endotracheal tube was subsequently advanced over the bronchoscope into the trachea. This technique uses readily available materials and can be used where the placement of a laryngeal mask is contraindicated or impossible.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Mar 2009
Comment Letter Case ReportsThe serendipitous origin of ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia.