Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Dec 2016
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparison of the Macintosh, GlideScope®, Airtraq®, and King VisionTM laryngoscopes in routine airway management.
We hypothesized that the use of the channeled King Vision™ and Airtraq® would shorten the time for tracheal intubation compared with the Macintosh or GlideScope® laryngoscopes in patients with normal airways. ⋯ The King Vision™ and Airtraq® require longer intubation times, as primary outcome, and cause less sore throat than the Macintosh and GlideScope® when used by anesthesiologists with limited experience in patients with normal airways. Our conclusion is difficult to extrapolate to the expert anesthesiologists who are using videolaryngoscopes on a regular basis.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Dec 2016
ReviewThe aging digestive tract. What should we anesthesiologists know about it?
At present, elderly individuals represent approximately 18.5% of the European population and account for about 23% of surgical procedures performed. This patient population is at a higher risk for perioperative complications and adverse postoperative outcome. This narrative review highlights our current knowledge about physiological changes in the aging gut and the implications for anesthesiologists. ⋯ Healthy aging appears to be associated with modest slowing of gastric emptying, but this does not demand prolonged preoperative fasting. The physiological changes associated with polypharmacy also make elderly patients a risk group for pulmonary aspiration during anesthesia. Further research is needed to determine the effects of commonly used anesthetic agents on the pharyngo-gastrointestinal tract in elderly patients.