Der Anaesthesist
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The endotracheal tube (ETT) is a considerably flow-dependent and, therefore, variable mechanical load. Conventional modes of respiratory support cannot adequately compensate for the tube resistance in inspiratorion and not at all in expiration. Automatic tube compensation (ATC) compensates for the flow-dependent pressure drop across the tracheal tube by a positive pressure support in inspiration and by a negative pressure support in expiration. ⋯ In addition, successful extubation could be better predicted with this mode in difficult-to-wean patients compared to other modes. There are no special rules in the clinical application of ATC. However, to prevent overassist the support level of the ventilatory mode which is combined with ATC should be reduced.
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Tracheobroncheal rupture is a rare complication of intubation techniques using a stylet. In this case report the patient was intubated by an emergency physician in a preclinical setting after a motor vehicle accident. Iatrogenic tracheal laceration was masked by inappropriate position of the endobronchial tube. ⋯ In this case two complications of endobronchial intubation occurred, but the deep tube placement opposed the effects of the tracheal laceration. This was probably life saving for the patient during emergency transfer by helicopter after the accident. The anaesthesiological management during tracheal repair is discussed.
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Clinical Trial
[The NACA scale. Construct and predictive validity of the NACA scale for prehospital severity rating in trauma patients].
The NACA-scale is used in many Austrian, German and Swiss emergency medical systems for demographic description of emergency patients. Little attention has been payed to the evaluation of its construct and predictive validity. In 427 consecutive trauma patients rescued in primary mission the NACA-Scale and the Injury Severity Score (ISS) were determined. ⋯ The NACA-scale adequately describes life threat in trauma victims and correlates well with morbidity and mortality. Thus, it is a valuable tool for demographic purposes in emergency medical systems. For more precise prehospital severity rating in trauma patients, the NACA-scale should be supplemented or replaced by a physiologically based prehospital severity score.
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The alkali hydroxide content in soda lime induces Compound A formation from Sevoflurane (Sevo). This study was designed to answer the question if the use of potassium hydroxide-free Soda Lime (SL) would lead to lower Compound A levels as compared to Sodasorb (SO). A total of 30 patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy received Sevo anaesthesia under low-flow conditions (0.8 l/min fresh gas flow). ⋯ Mean endtidal Sevo concentrations were 1.94 +/- 0.17 (SO) and 1.97 +/- 0.15 (SL) vol %, the total anaesthetic exposition was 1.52 +/- 0.36 (SO) and 1.64 +/- 0.47 (SL) MAC-h (n.s). The maximum Compound A concentration was significantly higher in SL group (19.6 +/- 2.8 vs. 11.7 +/- 4.1 ppm, p < 0.001). Therefore, elimination of potassium hydroxide from carbon dioxide absorbents alone did not lead to a reduction of Compound A formation during low-flow anaesthesia.
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Laparoscopic surgery of the gallbladder has increasingly replaced open techniques due to postoperative benefits (less pulmonary complications, less postoperative pain, earlier mobilisation). Specific intraoperative effects of pneumoperitoneum have led to some uncertainty if cardiac and/or pulmonary high-risk cases should be done laparoscopically. We describe anaesthesiological management of a 72 year old patient with a unilateral leftsided honeycomb lung (two very large cysts) to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy. ⋯ The patient could be discharged from hospital on day seven and fully recovered. Especially the severely cardiopulmonary compromised patient benefits from a laparoscopic procedure, due to less postoperative reduction of pulmonary function. Careful and individually adapted monitoring and anaesthetic techniques are necessary to successfully counteract the special implications of pnemoperitoneum.