European journal of anaesthesiology
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Multicenter Study
A simplified risk score to predict difficult intubation: development and prospective evaluation in 3763 patients.
Despite the presence of numerous preoperative tests to predict a difficult airway, there is no reliable bedside method. The aim of this study was to create and verify a simplified risk model with an acceptable discriminating power. ⋯ The new simplified multivariate risk score for difficult intubation may prove to be useful in clinical practice for predicting a difficult airway. Presence of upper front teeth, a history of difficult intubation, any Mallampati status different from '1' and equal to '4' and mouth opening less than 4 cm are independent risk factors for difficult endotracheal intubation. With each of these risk factors, the likelihood increases from 0 (when no risk factor is present) to 17% (when four or five factors are present).
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Morbidly obese patients present with excess fatty tissue externally on the breast, neck, thoracic wall and abdomen and internally in the mouth, pharynx and abdomen. This excess tissue tends to make access (intubation, tracheostomy) to and patency (during sedation or mask ventilation) of the upper airway and the function of the lungs (decreased residual capacity and aggravated ventilation perfusion mismatch) worse than in lean patients. Proper planning and preparation of airway management is essential, including elevation of the patient's upper body, head and neck. ⋯ It is important to ensure sufficient depth of anaesthesia before initiating manipulation of the airway because inadequate anaesthesia depth predisposes to aspiration if airway management becomes difficult. The intubating laryngeal mask airway is more efficient in the morbidly obese patients than in lean patients and serves as a rescue device for both failed ventilation and failed intubation. In the 24 h following anaesthesia, morbidly obese patients experience frequent oxygen desaturation periods that can be counteracted by continuous positive airway pressure, noninvasive ventilation and physiotherapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Flumazenil expedites recovery from sevoflurane/remifentanil anaesthesia when administered to healthy unpremedicated patients.
To investigate the hypothesis that 0.3 mg flumazenil administered to healthy unpremedicated patients at the end of deep surgical sevoflurane/remifentanil anaesthesia would expedite recovery. Flumazenil, an imidazobenzodiazepine derivative, antagonizes the hypnotic/sedative effects of benzodiazepines on γ-aminobutyric acid receptors. However, endogenous benzodiazepine ligands (endozepines) were isolated in mammalian tissues of individuals who had not received benzodiazepines. ⋯ Administration of a single dose of 0.3 mg flumazenil to healthy unpremedicated patients at the end of sevoflurane/remifentanil anaesthesia results in earlier emergence from anaesthesia and significantly expedites recovery. This could redefine the role of flumazenil in general anaesthesia, implicating endozepine-dependent mechanisms.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of TruView EVO2 with Miller laryngoscope in paediatric patients.
Except for neonates and specific malformations in children, management of the paediatric airway is not a major problem for the anaesthetist. Miller laryngoscope was traditionally used for paediatric intubation. The TruView EVO2 system is a recently introduced device with a unique blade that provides a wide and magnified laryngeal view. ⋯ The results suggest that when compared with the Miller laryngoscope, the TruView EVO2 laryngoscope appears to improve the view of the larynx but requires a longer time for tracheal intubation. The IDS scores were similar; thus, the TruView EVO2 laryngoscope can be a good alternative to traditionally used Miller laryngoscope.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Reinforced laryngeal mask airway compared with endotracheal tube for adenotonsillectomies.
The endotracheal tube (ETT) has traditionally been considered the best airway device during adenotonsillectomy because a well protected and secured airway is provided. This has been challenged by the introduction of the reinforced laryngeal mask airway (RLMA). It does not kink, is less traumatic during insertion and better tolerated during emergence. The purpose of this study was to compare the use of the RLMA with ETT with regards to postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting and perioperative efficacy in a series of children due for adenotonsillectomy. ⋯ The RLMA, when feasible, is a well tolerated and effective alternative to the ETT for use during adenotonsillectomies in children, with beneficial effects on airway irritations, operating room efficiency and early postoperative pain.