Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Review Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Simulation technique for difficult intubation: teaching tool or new hazard?
This investigation evaluated the risks of a simulation drill designed to improve the skill of anesthesia personnel in dealing with an unexpected difficult intubation. In a controlled prospective study, 40 patients with normal airways scheduled to undergo noncardiothoracic surgery were randomized into two groups of 20 patients. In the control group, intubation was performed by standard techniques. ⋯ There were five uncomplicated esophageal intubations in the simulation group compared with none in the control group (p = 0.001). No other adverse events were recorded. The potential hazards of esophageal intubation should be considered before this simulation drill is performed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison of cocaine, lidocaine with epinephrine, and oxymetazoline for prevention of epistaxis on nasotracheal intubation.
The alpha-adrenergic agonist oxymetazoline was compared to cocaine and to lidocaine with epinephrine with respect to prevention of epistaxis on nasotracheal intubation. The nares of three groups of 14 patients each were topically pretreated with 4% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (group 1), 10% cocaine (group 2), or 0.05% oxymetazoline (group 3) prior to nasotracheal intubation. After intubation, epistaxis was estimated on a scale of 0 to 3, with 0 indicating no bleeding, 1 representing blood on the nasotracheal tube only, 2 indicating blood pooling in the pharynx, and 3 representing blood in the pharynx sufficient to impede intubation. ⋯ In addition, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were examined prior to administration of the medications; at 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 15 minutes after administration of the medications; and after intubation. No significant differences were noted (p greater than 0.05) between the medications except for a slightly higher systolic BP for cocaine than for lidocaine with epinephrine at 15 minutes. The results of this double-blind, randomized trial demonstrate that the alpha-adrenergic agonist oxymetazoline is as effective as cocaine, and more effective than lidocaine with epinephrine, for the prevention of epistaxis associated with nasotracheal intubation.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Caudal analgesia for pediatric day case surgery: assessment of motor function prior to discharge.
The benefits of caudal analgesia are well recognized in the prevention of postoperative pain following pediatric surgery. The possibility of motor weakness may deter anesthetists from using this technique. This study investigates motor function prior to discharge in boys who, as day case patients, received caudal analgesia for pain relief following circumcision. ⋯ Three different dosage regimens of bupivacaine were compared. No important motor weakness was demonstrated, and there was no difference with respect to motor block in the three groups. Caudal analgesia may be recommended as a suitable technique for day case patients.
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The Grieshaber Air System was designed to maintain intraocular pressure during ophthalmologic surgery. It also has been used to maintain pressure in leaking endotracheal tube cuffs. It is a very useful device, especially if the intubation is difficult or the patient's position precludes replacement of the endotracheal tube. Two patients are presented in whom the system was used to maintain endotracheal tube cuff pressure.