Journal of anesthesia
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Journal of anesthesia · Jan 2008
Case ReportsDirect laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation in the prone position following traumatic thoracic spine injury.
Perioperative airway management in trauma victims presenting with penetrating thoracic spine injury poses a major challenge to the anesthesiologist. To avoid further neurological impairment it is essential to ensure maximal cervical and thoracic spine stability at the time of airway manipulation (e.g., direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation). ⋯ We herein present the first reported case of an adult trauma patient who underwent direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia in the prone position. Although the prone position is not the standard position for airway instrumentation with direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia, our experience indicates that this technique is possible (and relatively easy to perform) and might be considered in an emergency situation.
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Journal of anesthesia · Jan 2008
ReviewProbing the molecular mechanisms of neuronal degeneration: importance of mitochondrial dysfunction and calcineurin activation.
Cerebral injury is a critical aspect of the management of patients in intensive care. Pathological conditions induced by cerebral ischemia, hypoxia, head trauma, and seizure activity can result in marked residual impairment of cerebral function. We have investigated the potential mechanisms leading to neuronal cell death in pathological conditions, with the aim of discovering therapeutic targets and methods to minimize neuronal damage resulting from insults directed at the central nervous system (CNS). ⋯ The current situation is unacceptable, and preservation of function and protection of the brain from terminal impairment will be a vital medical issue in the twenty-first century. To achieve this goal, it is critical to clarify the key mechanisms leading to neuronal cell death. Here, we discuss the importance of the calcineurin/immunophilin signal transduction pathway and mitochondrial involvement in the detrimental chain of events leading to neuronal degeneration.
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Journal of anesthesia · Jan 2008
Case ReportsBilateral brachial plexus injury after liver transplantation.
We report a case of bilateral brachial plexus injury following living-donor liver transplantation. A 35-year-old man with hepatitis C cirrhosis underwent liver transplantation under general anesthesia, performed in the supine position with 90 degrees arm abduction. ⋯ We investigated the cause of the nerve injuries, in particular, the possible involvement of stretching, compression, or nerve ischemia, which can often result from excessive abduction, the use of shoulder braces, compression by the poles used in the operating theater or compression caused by surgeons leaning on the patient, or serious general status (e.g., hypotension or hypoxemia). Our findings were inconclusive, but we postulated that 90 degrees abduction of the arms per se may have resulted in excessive stretching of the brachial nerves, causing his injuries.