Anaesthesia
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Evaluation of a new double-lumen endobronchial tube with an integrated camera (VivaSight-DL(™) ): a prospective multicentre observational study.
The VivaSight-DL(™) is a new single-use double-lumen endobronchial tube with an integrated camera. We studied this device in 151 consecutive patients scheduled for elective thoracic surgery in four different hospitals. Endobronchial intubation was successful in 148 patients (98%) (95% CI 94-99%). ⋯ A fibreoptic bronchoscope was required to assist endobronchial tube placement in 19 (13%) patients (95% CI 8-19%). Sore throat was reported by 37 (25%) patients (95% CI 18-33%), but no major complications were observed. We have reported the successful use of the VivaSight double-lumen tube for endobronchial intubation in a multicentre observational trial.
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Bench studies have become the preferred way to evaluate the performance of airway equipment, since clinical trials are not specifically required before marketing these devices. However, it is difficult to assess the efficiency of ventilation without recording physiological data. This review analyses how efficiency of manual ventilation has been defined in recent studies, and how their results may be affected. ⋯ However, there were significant differences between the definitions of performance of ventilation, both in terms of criteria of judgement and methods of analysis. None of these approaches is able to provide a clear understanding of variability of ventilation during a given period. A new definition may increase the relevance of bench studies to clinical medicine, by more appropriately assessing the performance of ventilation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Incidence of intravascular injection and the spread of contrast media during S1 transforaminal epidural steroid injection by two approaches: anteroposterior vs oblique.
The aim of this randomised study was to compare the incidence of intravascular injections during S1 transforaminal epidural steroid injection performed in the anteroposterior and oblique views. We also compared epidural spread patterns of contrast media, which included 201 injections at the S1 level. ⋯ There were no significant differences between the two groups for epidural spread of contrast media in cases where intravascular injections did not occur (p = 0.77). Performing S1 transforaminal epidural steroid injection in the oblique view rather than the anteroposterior view reduces the risk of intravascular injections.
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Comparative Study
Dominant hand operating probe vs needle: a comparison study of ultrasound-guided needle placement in phantom models.
We conducted a replicated crossover design study to assess if using one's dominant hand for operating a probe vs directing a needle would affect the time taken, the number of needle passes and the accuracy of an ultrasound-guided procedure in phantom models. Twenty ultrasound-novice participants completed the task 10 times for each hand arrangement (alternating between attempts). ⋯ Sixty-five per cent of participants preferred using their dominant hand to direct the needle. When learning ultrasound-guided needle procedures on phantom models, use of the dominant hand to operate the needle is associated with a shorter procedure time and fewer needle passes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of the jaw-thrust manoeuvre in the semi-sitting position on securing a clear airway during fibreoptic intubation.
Securing a clear airway is important for successful fibreoptic intubation. We investigated whether the jaw-thrust manoeuvre in the 25° semi-sitting position improves airway clearance compared with the supine position in 88 anaesthetised patients randomly assigned to the two positions. After induction of anaesthesia, the fibreoptic bronchoscope was advanced into the mouth along the dorsum of the tongue during the jaw-thrust manoeuvre. ⋯ At the level of the epiglottis, airway clearance was equally good in both positions. The mean (SD) times to view the vocal cord and carina were shorter in the 25° semi-sitting position (4 (1) s and 8 (1) s, respectively) compared with the supine position (6 (3) s and 11 (3) s; p < 0.001, respectively). The time to achieve intubation was also shorter in the 25° semi-sitting position (21 (5) s) than in the supine position (25 (7) s; p = 0.018).