Anaesthesia
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Successful anaesthetic management of two patients with severe epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica was accomplished with the use of ketamine-diazepam dissociative anaesthesia in one and brachial plexus block in the other. The classification and pathology of epidermolysis bullosa is considered, and the problems associated with anaesthesia in patients with this disease are discussed.
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The reliability of two signs of tracheal placement of a gum elastic bougie was studied. These signs were clicks (produced as the tip of the bougie runs over the tracheal cartilages) and hold up of the bougie as it is advanced (when the tip reaches the small bronchi). Ninety-eight simulated and two genuine Grade 3 difficult intubations were attempted with the aid of a gum elastic bougie. ⋯ Clicks were recorded in 89.7% of tracheal placements of the bougie. Hold up at between 24-40 cm occurred in all tracheal placements. We conclude that these signs are reliable and that they should be taught as part of any difficult intubation drill in which the gum elastic bougie is used.
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Plasma lignocaine levels were measured at 5, 10 and 15 minutes following local application (4 mg/kg) to the upper airway in children who underwent endoscopy under general anaesthesia. These levels were then correlated with the appearance of the moistness of the airway mucosa secondary to premedication with atropine. ⋯ Significantly higher (p less than 0.05) plasma levels of lignocaine were achieved when the mucosa was 'very dry' especially in children under 2 years of age. The total dose of lignocaine applied to the upper airway of children should probably be reduced, in the presence of a 'dry' mucosa after effective antisialogogue premedication, and especially when less than 2 years of age.