Journal of anesthesia
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Journal of anesthesia · Apr 2016
Challenge to pediatric anatomical variation : Can we draw the ideal line on the pediatric I-gel?
I-gel is a noncuff type of laryngeal airway mask. No horizontal line has yet been determined as an ideal position for pediatric sizes because of the variability in length of the oropharyngeal-laryngeal arch in children. We investigated whether there is a correlation between insertion length and patient body weight or height for the pediatric I-gel sizes from 1.5 to 2.5. ⋯ Results suggested that it is possible to draw an ideal line on the I-gel with sizes 1.5 and 2 only.
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Journal of anesthesia · Apr 2016
Are prehospital airway management resources compatible with difficult airway algorithms? A nationwide cross-sectional study of helicopter emergency medical services in Japan.
Immediate access to the equipment required for difficult airway management (DAM) is vital. However, in Japan, data are scarce regarding the availability of DAM resources in prehospital settings. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Japanese helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) are adequately equipped to comply with the DAM algorithms of Japanese and American professional anesthesiology societies. ⋯ In Japan, compliance with standard airway management algorithms in prehospital settings remains difficult because of the limited availability of alternative ventilation equipment and back-up personnel. Prehospital health care providers need to consider the risks and benefits of performing endotracheal intubation in environments not conducive to the success of this procedure.
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Journal of anesthesia · Apr 2016
Case ReportsPeripheral nerve blocks as the sole anesthetic technique in a patient with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
General anesthesia and central neuraxial blockades in patients with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy are associated with high risks of complications, including rhabdomyolysis, malignant hyperthermia, hemodynamic instability, and postoperative mechanical ventilation. Here, we describe peripheral nerve blocks as a safe approach to anesthesia in a patient with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy who was scheduled to undergo surgery. A 22-year-old male patient was scheduled to undergo reduction and internal fixation of a left distal femur fracture. ⋯ The patient underwent a successful operation using peripheral nerve blocks with no complications. In conclusion general anesthesia and central neuraxial blockades in patients with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy are unsafe approaches to anesthesia because of hemodynamic instability and respiratory depression. Peripheral nerve blocks are the best way to reduce the risks of critical complications, and are a safe and feasible approach to anesthesia in patients with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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Journal of anesthesia · Apr 2016
ReviewEmergence agitation in children: risk factors, prevention, and treatment.
Emergence agitation (EA) in children is a major postoperative issue that increases the risk of patient self-harm, places a burden on nursing staff, and reduces parent satisfaction with treatment. Risk factors for EA include age, preoperative anxiety, patient personality, pain, anesthesia method, and surgical procedure. ⋯ Maintenance of anesthesia using propofol has also been shown to prevent EA. In children, anesthesia methods that are unlikely to cause EA should be selected, with the prompt adminstration of appropriate treatment in cases of EA.
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Journal of anesthesia · Apr 2016
Case ReportsCombined nephrectomy and aortic valve replacement: perioperative decision-making.
Open heart surgery and urologic surgery may be required for patients with coincident diseases. We report a patient who suffered from aortic valve stenosis which was asymptomatic barring atrial fibrillation. ⋯ Traditionally, severe cardiac disease is addressed first before conducting elective noncardiac surgery; however, this option was not available since the patient already had a perinephric hematoma which could bleed more when subjected to systemic heparinization for cardiopulmonary bypass. Here, we describe the process of perioperative decision-making involving multiple specialities and re-examine several guidelines.