A&A practice
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Patients presenting for major vascular surgery are often elderly, medically complex, and at increased risk for general anesthesia-related complications. A search of the published literature produced no citation regarding PECS II block in the setting of extra-anatomic bypass procedures. We present a case report describing the use of the deep injection of the PECS II block in this context. Although further investigation is needed to determine the role of truncal blocks in major vascular surgery, our case illustrates that peripheral nerve blocks, combined with continuous spinal anesthesia, may be used as an alternative to general anesthesia for axillofemoral-femoral bypass.
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In addition to cutaneous, gastrointestinal, hemodynamic, and respiratory symptoms, allergic reactions can induce an acute coronary syndrome in normal or atheromatous coronary arteries and can cause coronary stent thrombosis. Here, we report a case of coronary stent thrombosis due to allergic acute coronary syndrome during anaphylaxis induced by sugammadex in a female patient undergoing general anesthesia. She was emergently treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary balloon angioplasty with catecholamine, vasodilator, and intraaortic balloon support. Knowledge of perioperative allergy-triggered acute coronary syndrome is crucial for prompt and appropriate treatment.
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Laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation in patients with unstable cervical spines may cause pathological spinal motion and resultant cord injury. Cadaver and mathematical (finite element) models of a type II odontoid fracture predict C1-C2 motions during intubation to be of low magnitude, especially with the use of a low-force videolaryngoscope. Using continuous fluoroscopy, we recorded C1-C2 motion during C-MAC D videolaryngoscopy and intubation in 2 patients with type II odontoid fractures. In these 2 patients, C1-C2 extension and change in C1-C2 canal space were comparable to motions predicted by cadaver and finite element models and did not cause neurological injury.
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Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies is an autosomal dominant condition occurring in up to 16 per 100,000 people and predisposes to neural compressive injury. Given the rarity of this condition, no guidelines currently exist for the anesthetic management of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies. We describe the management of analgesia during labor in a woman diagnosed with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies and a history of nerve palsy after obstetric anesthesia. Our report highlights the necessity of clinician awareness of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies and the anesthetic precautions used to successfully avoid neural injury in this case.
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We report kinking of the pilot line of an endotracheal tube (ETT). The anesthesiologist found it difficult to deflate the ETT cuff after performing test inflation with air before intubation. ⋯ This examination revealed stenosis of the pilot line at the entry into the ETT, making it too narrow for air to flow freely during cuff deflation. The present case emphasizes that preanesthetic checking of the ETT cuff is very important.