AANA journal
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Review Comparative Study
Epidural analgesia using loss of resistance with air versus saline: does it make a difference? Should we reevaluate our practice?
The choice of using air or saline in epidural syringes during the loss-of-resistance technique, for identifying the epidural space, has been based largely on personal preference of the anesthesia provider. A survey of practice in the United Kingdom, thought to be similar to practice in the United States, revealed that the majority of anesthesia providers use air. Case reports have appeared in the literature suggesting that air may be harmful to patients or, at the very least, impede the onset and quality of epidural analgesia. ⋯ Current anesthesia literature suggests using saline with an air bubble in the loss-of-resistance syringe. Many anesthesia training programs continue to teach the use of air, saline, and saline with an air bubble. Further studies may help to determine whether there is a scientific or safety basis for using air vs saline.
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Comparative Study
A comparison of endotracheal tube cuff pressures using estimation techniques and direct intracuff measurement.
Cuffed endotracheal tubes are one aspect of airway management designed to ensure safety, yet patients can be at risk for injury from underinflated and overinflated endotracheal cuffs. Tracheal pressures exceeding approximately 48 cm H2O impede capillary blood flow, potentially causing tracheal damage, and pressures below approximately 18 mm Hg may increase the risk of aspiration. There is no standard identified in the literature describing the method of cuff inflation, and nurse anesthetists use various cuff inflation techniques. ⋯ Analysis revealed that fewer than one third of the anesthesia providers inflated the cuff within an ideal range. No differences were found between level of anesthesia provider and cuff inflation pressures. We conclude that estimation techniques for cuff inflation are inadequate and suggest that direct measurements be used.