Anesthesiology
-
Comparative Study
Comparison of two techniques for retrograde tracheal intubation in human fresh cadavers.
During retrograde tracheal intubation, the short distance existing between the cricothyroid membrane and vocal cords may be responsible for accidental extubation. The insertion of a catheter into the trachea before the removal of the guide wire may help to cope with this problem. This work was conducted to study the impact of such a modification on the success rate and the duration of the procedure. ⋯ This efficient, simple modification of the technique significantly increases the success rate of the procedure, without prolonging its duration. These data should be confirmed in clinical conditions but may encourage a larger use of the retrograde technique in cases of difficult intubation.
-
Comment Letter Comparative Study
Interscalene block superior to general anesthesia: a discussion of the conclusions regarding these two anesthesia techniques.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Thoracic epidural versus intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial on length of hospital stay and patient-perceived quality of recovery.
Perioperative thoracic epidural analgesia reduces stress response and pain scores and may improve outcome after cardiac surgery. This prospective, randomized trial was designed to compare the effectiveness of patient-controlled thoracic epidural analgesia with patient-controlled analgesia with intravenous morphine on postoperative hospital length of stay and patients' perception of their quality of recovery after cardiac surgery. ⋯ In elective cardiac surgery, thoracic epidural analgesia combined with general anesthesia followed by patient-controlled thoracic epidural analgesia offers no major advantage with respect to hospital length of stay, quality of recovery, or morbidity when compared with general anesthesia alone followed by to patient-controlled analgesia with intravenous morphine.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of plastic single-use and metal reusable laryngoscope blades for orotracheal intubation during rapid sequence induction of anesthesia.
Plastic single-use laryngoscope blades are inexpensive and carry a lower risk of infection compared with metal reusable blades, but their efficiency during rapid sequence induction remains a matter of debate. The authors therefore compared plastic and metal blades during rapid sequence induction in a prospective randomized trial. ⋯ In rapid sequence induction of anesthesia, the plastic laryngoscope blade is less efficient than a metal blade and thus should not be recommended for use in this clinical setting.