A&A practice
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A novel coronavirus pandemic may be particularly hazardous to health care workers. Airway management is an aerosol-producing high-risk procedure. To minimize the production of airborne droplets, including pathogens such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), from the endotracheal tube during procedures requiring lung deflation, we devised a technique to mitigate the risk of infection transmission to health care personnel.
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Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can be a debilitating, persistent, and treatment-resistant pain condition. This report presents a case of severe CRPS affecting multiple limbs, resistant to standard treatment modalities. Treatment with spinal cord stimulation (SCS) had an initial good effect. ⋯ A lead fracture resulted in a rapidly developing recurrence of CRPS in the patient's arm, necessitating amputation. SCS may be an effective modality for treatment of severe CRPS. However, mechanical problems should always be considered when an SCS-implanted patient experiences rapid symptom progression or abrupt cessation of stimulation.
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Airway exchange catheter is a valuable tool where an airway is anticipated to be difficult to reintubate. We report a case of subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, and pneumothorax after extubation using an exchange catheter. ⋯ The patient was ventilated for 2 days and then extubated without complications. Airway exchange catheter should be used cautiously with a low initial gas flow during extubation.
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Providing effective analgesia for acute rib fractures is crucial in avoiding pulmonary complications. Erector spinae plane (ESP) block is an alternative treatment option to neuraxial techniques. ⋯ However, the utilization of unilateral bilevel ESP catheters has not been described. We present a case of unilateral bilevel ESP catheters placed in a patient with flail chest secondary to a motor vehicle accident.