British journal of anaesthesia
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Simulating face-to-face tracheal intubation of a trapped patient: a randomized comparison of the LMA Fastrach™, the GlideScope™, and the Airtraq™ laryngoscope.
We undertook a prospective randomized comparison of the LMA Fastrach™, Airtraq™ laryngoscope, and GlideScope™ used for face-to-face tracheal intubation simulated to mimic an entrapped patient. ⋯ The Airtraq™ laryngoscope was superior to both the GlideScope™ and LMA Fastrach™ during simulated face-to-face difficult tracheal intubation.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Simulated evaluation of a non-Luer safety connector system for use in neuraxial procedures.
Spinal syringes, needles, and other devices with connectors that will not also connect with Luer devices could substantially reduce wrong-route drug administration errors. This study aimed to evaluate a newly designed non-Luer safety connector system for neuraxial procedures in terms of clinical acceptability and cross-connectivity with conventional Luer devices. ⋯ Our study demonstrated that study clinicians found the safety system to be acceptable with minimal impact on technique in a simulated-use setting. The non-Luer system also appeared to decrease the risk of administration of i.v. medications into the intrathecal space. Further modifications will be required to completely eliminate the risk of administering intrathecal medication i.v. and evaluation in a clinical setting will help determine the true impact of this non-Luer system on patient safety.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Randomized, prospective, observational simulation study comparing residents' needle-guided vs free-hand ultrasound techniques for central venous catheter access.
Short-axis ultrasound-guided placement of central venous catheters (CVCs) is widely accepted as safe practice. However, utilizing the long-axis approach could further improve safety, as it allows for better visualization of the needle as it is advanced to the target vessel. However, the long-axis approach has not widely been used due to the technical difficulty. Recently, a new needle guidance device has become available to aid in the long-axis approach. We hypothesized that the use of a needle guide paired with the long-axis approach would facilitate puncture of the target vessel in a simulation model more effectively than similar free-hand techniques. ⋯ The needle guide device used in the long-axis approach improved the needle visualization compared with free-hand techniques. The needle guide used in the long-axis technique, however, did not facilitate puncture of the target vessel in this simulation model when compared with free-hand techniques.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
aepEX monitor for the measurement of hypnotic depth in patients undergoing balanced xenon anaesthesia.
Previously, we showed a significant difference in the measurements of hypnotic depth by the bispectral index (BIS) and auditory-evoked potentials (AEPs) using the A-line autoregressive index during xenon anaesthesia. In the present study, we evaluate the alternative AEP-based auditory-evoked potential index (aepEX) for the measurement of hypnotic depth in patients undergoing general anaesthesia with xenon. ⋯ We found the aepEX monitor to provide index in the range of adequate depth of xenon anaesthesia, when combined with remifentanil infusion in intubated patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized controlled trial of intraoperative goal-directed fluid therapy in aerobically fit and unfit patients having major colorectal surgery.
Intraoperative fluid therapy regimens using oesophageal Doppler monitoring (ODM) to optimize stroke volume (SV) (goal-directed fluid therapy, GDT) have been associated with a reduction in length of stay (LOS) and complication rates after major surgery. We hypothesized that intraoperative GDT would reduce the time to surgical readiness for discharge (RfD) of patients having major elective colorectal surgery but that this effect might be less marked in aerobically fit patients. ⋯ Intraoperative SV optimization conferred no additional benefit over standard fluid therapy. In an aerobically fit subgroup of patients, GDT was associated with detrimental effects on the primary outcome.