Articles: intubation.
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We sought to determine the percent delivery by metered-dose inhaler (MDI) of a preparation of salbutamol (albuterol) to the distal end of either pediatric-size tracheal tubes or a narrow-gauge catheter. A bench model consisting of a swivel actuator; 3.0-6.0-mm ID tracheal tubes all 16 cm in length or a 19-G (standard wire gauge) catheter; mesh filters; and a continuous flow of dry air was used. Six actuations of salbutamol (100 micrograms each) were delivered during each experiment, and each experiment was repeated nine times. ⋯ The DE of salbutamol in tracheal tubes (less than or equal to 12.3%) increased dramatically (97%; P less than 0.001) when a 19-G catheter was used. We conclude that the DE of salbutamol by MDI through 3.0-6.0-mm ID tracheal tubes is low but may be dramatically increased by actuating the canister into a 19-G distally placed catheter. Because of the increased efficiency of delivery, caution must be exercised when using a distally placed catheter to deliver MDI aerosols to patients.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 1991
Comparative StudySaline-filled cuffs help prevent laser-induced polyvinylchloride endotracheal tube fires.
To determine whether the filling of tracheal tube cuffs with saline would decrease their combustibility during laser surgery, 20 polyvinylchloride tracheal tubes were studied. The cuffed end of each tracheal tube was inserted into the neck of an empty flask, and the tube and flask were flushed with oxygen for 5 min before cuff inflation. Ten tracheal tubes had their cuffs inflated with air, and 10 were inflated with saline. ⋯ The time to deflation of the saline-filled cuff (104.6 +/- 67.5 s) was, however, significantly longer than that of the air-filled cuff (2.59 +/- 1.97 s). When the tracheal tube cuffs were exposed to 40-W laser radiation, the cuff and adjacent tube shaft ignited in all cases when the cuffs were inflated with air, but only in one of five cases when the cuffs were filled with saline (P less than 0.05). The filling of tracheal tube cuffs with saline provides simple, moderately effective partial protection of the cuff of endotracheal tubes during CO2 laser airway surgery.
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Comment Letter Comparative Study
Use of the laryngeal mask airway in primary care.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 1991
Comment Letter Case ReportsReuse of a disposable stylet with life-threatening complications.