Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 2022
Comparison of airway assessment tests for prediction of difficult intubation in obese patients: importance of thyromental height and upper lip bite test.
Prediction of difficult intubation (DI) has remained challenging for anesthesiologists and validity of airway assessment tests has not been fully investigated. This study aims to compare predictive values of these tests for prediction of DI in obese patients. ⋯ TMH and ULBT had the highest sensitivity for prediction of DI in obese patients in this study and it is recommended to be considered as part of airway assessment in this patient population.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 2022
Compatibility of left-sided double-lumen endobronchial tubes with tracheal and bronchial dimensions: a retrospective comparative study.
Double-lumen endobronchial tubes (DLT) continue to be the most widely used method for obtaining lung isolation during anesthesia. We compared recommendations for DLT size selection with radiologically assessed lower airway dimensions gathered from a large patient population. ⋯ A considerable proportion of the recommended DLT sizes from all three manufacturers was incompatible with individual patient's lower airway dimensions.
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Factor XIII (FXIII) is the final factor in the coagulation cascade. It converts soluble fibrin monomers into a stable fibrin clot, prevents premature degradation of fibrin, participates in wound healing, and helps prevent the loss of the endothelial barrier function. FXIII deficiency is believed to be rare, and this may explain why clinicians do not routinely take it into consideration. ⋯ Acquired forms have been described in patients with decreased hepatic or bone marrow synthesis, overconsumption and increased degradation by autoantibodies. This review offers guidance on how to suspect and diagnose FXIII deficiency in both the preoperative consultation and different surgical settings. We also analyze current scientific evidence in order to clarify when and why this clinical situation should be suspected, and how it may be treated.