Der Anaesthesist
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In Germany there is currently no national standard for the management of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The object of this survey was to obtain information on the treatment concept for patients with OSAS and to report on the current practice in Germany. ⋯ This survey shows that outpatient surgery for patients with sleep apnea is common practice in Germany. It is also performed when patients have moderate or severe OSAS and for respiratory tract surgery. This means that the management is not conform to the guidelines of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).
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The case of a young male motor vehicle driver is reported who suffered multiple trauma in a car accident with pulmonary and cardiac contusions. In the course of severe pneumonia and traumatic tricuspid valve insufficiency a right-to-left shunt with refractory hypoxemia developed across a pre-existing atrial septal defect (ASD). The patient could be successfully treated by the combination of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for bridging, interventional ASD occlusion and in the long-term by operative reconstruction of the tricuspid valve.
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Case Reports
[Pyoderma gangrenosum following AICD implantation: differential diagnosis to necrotizing fasciitis].
Pyoderma gangrenosum is rarely seen in the surgical disciplines. In the described case the patient was initially diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis and admitted to the intensive care unit suffering from septic shock. ⋯ Following weeks of broad spectrum antibiotics and wound debridement without clinical improvement the alternative diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum was reached. Consequently the patient was treated with immunosuppressive therapy and his condition improved rapidly such that he was ultimately discharged to rehabilitation.
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The muscular dystrophies are degenerative muscle diseases characterized by progressive muscle weakness. The vast majority of women suffering from muscle diseases develop a deterioration of symptoms during pregnancy. Cardiac and respiratory complications are observed in pregnant women with muscular dystrophy especially in the second and third trimester. ⋯ According to the literature epidural and spinal anesthesia are both possible for perioperative anesthetic management in women with limb-girdle dystrophies. Due to the excellent controllability of intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine it was decided to use spinal anesthesia and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation was planned in case of impairment of respiratory function. In summary limb-girdle muscular dysthrophies should be managed on an individual basis and spinal anesthesia can be safely used to avoid intubation.