Anaesthesia
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The cuffed oropharyngeal airway is a new disposable airway based on the Guedel oral airway. It has an asymmetrical cuff which provides a seal as well as lifting the base of the tongue forwards, and a 15-mm connector allowing attachment to an anaesthetic breathing system. ⋯ The advantage is that ventilation is maintained throughout the intubating sequence. We describe its use in a patient with oropharyngeal carcinoma.
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A questionnaire survey was sent to 164 consultant anaesthetists with the aim of investigating their experiences and attitudes to continuing medical education. The response rate was 79%. Most anaesthetists were motivated to achieve the required number of credits and for the majority of anaesthetists, regional, national and internal departmental discussion meetings were the mainstay of educational activities. ⋯ The place of research is questioned. There was doubt as to whether sanctions such as withdrawing recognition for training should be imposed on departments where some anaesthetists fail to achieve the required number of credits and whether this would motivate anaesthetists to achieve the set standards. Continuing medical education was felt to be effective and the main barriers to attending educational activities are discussed.
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The performance of the Intersurgical disposable soda lime canister was compared to British Pharmacopoeia standards for carbon dioxide absorption and to other carbon dioxide absorber systems. This canister system more than adequately fulfilled the equivalent of the British Pharmacopoeia standard for CO2 absorption. ⋯ Heat was generated by the reaction between soda lime and CO2 and the maximum temperature recorded in the system was 42.1 degrees C. Under clinical conditions this should pose no threat of thermal injury to the patient.