Anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison of three types of tracheal tube for use in laryngeal mask assisted blind orotracheal intubation.
Laryngeal mask assisted blind orotracheal intubation is a technique that is best mastered under controlled circumstances. The influence of the type of tracheal tube, and positioning of the head, on the success rate of this procedure was evaluated in 90 gynaecological patients presenting for elective procedures under general anaesthesia. After induction, a laryngeal mask was introduced and its position was confirmed. ⋯ The success rates after a single attempt at blind oral intubation were 3.3%, 70.0% and 30.0% respectively (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 when Portex was compared to Argyle and Kendall Curity types). After a maximum of three attempts, success rates were 30.0% (Argyle), 93.3% (Portex) and 76.7% (Kendall Curity). The first attempt at tracheal intubation was performed in the 'sniffing the morning air position' and this was successful in 52% of successful intubations; the second attempt using extension at the atlanto-occipital joint was successful in a further 35% of successful intubations; the third attempt used varying degrees of neck flexion and extension at the atlanto-occipital joint and this permitted successful placement of the tracheal tube in the remaining 13% of patients in whom tracheal intubation was possible.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Flow characteristics of long spinal needles.
A 120 mm, 27-gauge needle has recently been introduced for subarachnoid anaesthesia when using a single-space, combined spinal-extradural technique. The flow characteristics of this needle were compared with those of a 120 mm, 26-gauge needle using a pressure monitor infusion pump. ⋯ The results of this experiment were confirmed by the findings of a clinical study undertaken in 100 obstetric patients who required regional anaesthesia. The time taken from dural puncture to appearance of cerebrospinal fluid at the hub of the needle was on average three times greater with the 26-gauge needle.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparative study of the incidence of sore throat with the laryngeal mask airway.
In a prospective study of 150 patients randomly assigned to three groups, we have compared the incidence and duration of sore throat after a standard anaesthetic regimen using three different methods of airway management: facemask; laryngeal mask, and laryngeal mask with insertion aid. The insertion aid is currently being developed by Portex Ltd and is intended both to facilitate accurate placement of the laryngeal mask and to reduce trauma during insertion. ⋯ When using the insertion aid the incidence was 18% and this was not statistically different from the facemask. The presence of blood on the laryngeal mask (22%) was less likely when the insertion aid was used (4%) (p < 0.02).