Der Anaesthesist
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Previous studies have suggested that when using several emergency systems and air rescue prehospital and on-scene times are extended, depending on the dispatch strategy. Emergency medical services (EMS) in Germany are delivered by ambulances (AMB) staffed by paramedics alone or with physicians (EMD) and by helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) always staffed by both. The advantages of HEMS in countries with short transport distances and high hospital density are controversial. The best dispatching strategy for HEMS has not been determined ⋯ OST varies significantly depending on the number of EMS involved and the dispatch strategy. Sequential dispatching of ground and later HEMS wastes time. Getting an emergency physician to the scene as quickly as possible, reducing transport time to an appropriate hospital and caring for more complex emergencies are the main indications for HEMS. If HEMS appears likely to be needed, it should be dispatched immediately.
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Securing the airway using a tube exchanger catheter is an important and useful technique in anesthesia. Its success is mainly hampered by tube tip impingement of laryngeal structures. Advancing the tracheal tube along its normal curvature via a tube exchanger catheter has a high risk of tube tip impingement mainly of right laryngeal structures. The authors achieved successful clinical experience by rotating the tracheal tube 90° anticlockwise (ventral tube tip position) before railroading the tube via a tube exchanger catheter or a fiber optic bronchoscope through the larynx. ⋯ Tube insertion via an airway exchange catheter or a fiberoptic bronchoscope is a basic technique in anesthesia. Knowledge about the difficulties and their prevention are essential for every anesthetist. The gap between the airway exchange catheter, the fiber bronchoscope and the tube diameters is one of the major reasons for tube tip impingement. This investigation showed that intubation success via a tube exchange catheter, as investigated in an intubation mannequin, is considerably influenced by the tracheal tube tip position. A 90° anticlockwise rotation, placing the tracheal tube tip ventrally, considerably increased intubation success. This is of particular importance if an anesthesia department has no appropriately sized tube exchange catheters or fiber bronchoscope for every age group of patients.
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A uvular edema can be associated with angioedema, urticaria and anaphylaxis. Furthermore, it can be caused by medications, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and angiotensin II receptor antagonists. ⋯ This article presents the case of a patient who underwent kidney transplantation and developed extensive edema of the uvula that occurred postoperatively after general anaesthesia. The case report describes the diagnosis and therapy of this rare disease.
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Practice Guideline
[Perioperative management of patients with obstructive sleep apnea : Update on the practice guidelines of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force.]
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a widespread disease which is associated with many cardiovascular diseases and can have health-related consequences for affected patients if untreated. It is known that perioperative airway complications occur more often in OSA patients during general anesthesia. ⋯ These guidelines have now been revised and updated. This article gives a summary of the recommended approach for the perioperative treatment of patients with OSA given in the 2014 guidelines.
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Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is performed with the intention to reduce the requirement for allogeneic blood transfusions. After preoperative withdrawal of whole blood, corresponding amounts of crystalloids and/or colloids are infused to maintain normovolemia. The main benefit of ANH is the availability of whole blood containing red blood cells, clotting factors and platelets for reinfusion after removal during the dilution process. Until retransfusion whole blood components are stored at the patient's bedside in the operating theatre. ⋯ The results of the present study indicate that disturbances of platelet aggregation may occur during storage of whole blood components prepared for the purpose of ANH. Further investigations are needed to analyze whether the observed phenomena are of hemostatic relevance.