Revista española de anestesiología y reanimación
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Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim · Mar 2010
Comparative Study Clinical Trial[Comparison of the view of the glottic opening through Macintosh and AirTraq laryngoscopes in patients undergoing scheduled surgery].
The AirTraq laryngoscope is a new intubation device that may provide better viewing conditions than can be achieved with the traditional Macintosh device. This study compared the AirTraq and Macintosh views and assessed whether predictors of intubation difficulty are useful when the AirTraq laryngoscope is used. ⋯ Poor viewing conditions occurred less frequently when the AirTraq device was used. Intubation conditions were therefore better with the AirTraq than with the Macintosh device. The traditional predictors of difficult intubation do not seem to be relevant when the AirTraq device is to be used.
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Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim · Mar 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study[Incidence of cough after desflurane and sevoflurane administration through a laryngeal mask: a controlled clinical trial].
To determine the incidence of cough with the administration of desflurane and sevoflurane through a laryngeal mask. ⋯ The patients who inhaled desflurane through a laryngeal mask had a higher incidence of cough than those who inhaled sevoflurane. The mechanism by which cough is being triggered by desflurane should be studied to determine whether the effect is chemical or mechanical and whether it is acting in the larynx or in the distal portion of the lung.
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Many recent studies have underlined the importance of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring and the high incidence of residual block in clinical practice in spite of the use of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers of intermediate duration. Neuromuscular monitoring facilitates the tailoring of the muscular paralysis and appropriate patient recovery at the end of surgery. Monitoring also controls or prevents residual block and serves to guide the use of reversing agents. ⋯ In addition to drawing on their own experience, the authors have reviewed the literature available through evidence-based indexes and other databases up to December 2008. Most references found were case series and reviews. Quantitative monitoring is an evidence-based practice that should be applied in all situations in which a neuromuscular block is established.
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Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim · Mar 2010
Case Reports[Endotracheal tube fire during laryngeal surgery: analysis of the root cause of a sentinel event].
Endotracheal tube fire during laryngeal surgery is a rare complication but one that has serious consequences. Surgeons, anesthesiologists and others involved with this type of surgery should become familiar with how to manage this difficult situation, which should be considered a sentinel event requiring prompt analysis of the root cause and surrounding circumstances. ⋯ The patient died as a result of the lesions sustained. We report the results of the investigation and the protocols for prevention and response implemented in our surgical department, in the hope that the experience will be of interest to others working in similar settings.