Masui. The Japanese journal of anesthesiology
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We developed a new type of bite block with a combined function as an endotracheal tube (ETT) holder for infants and small children to prevent airway troubles caused by tube kinking, dislodging, extubation and oral membrane trauma. One mm thick plastic plate sized 3.5 x 2 cm was curved to make an open roll. The outer surface of the roll was covered and glued with soft plastic tube (5.0 mm ID endotracheal tube), cut in 3.5 cm length to give an elastic outer surface for the patient's comfort. ⋯ Our bite block has following advantages over other types of bite blocks and tube holders especially for children; 1) the volume of foreign bodies (ETT and bite block) occupying the oral cavity can be reduced and this attenuates the patient's discomfort, 2) good holding of the ETT can prevent its dislodging and decrease the incidence of accidental extubation and 3) suctioning is easier because of wide oral space. The four sizes of the bite block suitable for 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5 and 6.0 mm ID ETTs are manufactured. We applied this device to several ICU patients and found its use practical and safe.
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We examined the influence of the bolus injection rate of propofol on the cardiovascular depression and injection pain. Fifty-one patients of ASA grade 1 or 2 were randomly allocated to two groups. After premedication with midazolam 0.06 mg.kg-1 and atropine 0.006 mg.kg-1 i.m., propofol 2 mg.kg-1 was injected to a forearm vein at a rate of 800 ml.hr-1 in Group A or 1 ml.s-1 in Group B. ⋯ The induction time was significantly shorter in Group B than in Group A (40 vs. 73 sec: P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the two injection rates in peak reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. In conclusion, rapid injection of propofol was effective to shorten the induction time without any adverse effects.