British journal of anaesthesia
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We explored whether a previously successful initiative to improve first-case on-time starts succeeded because (i) preoperative steps started earlier (but the process did not necessarily improve) or (ii) the process was brought into better control. ⋯ The reduction in inter-quartile range demonstrates that improvement in on-time starts resulted from the process being in better control. The start time of preoperative preparatory activities did not move earlier, which means that OR and preoperative staff do not need to arrive at work earlier. Improvements resulting from the process being in control were sustained.
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Cognitive change affecting patients after anaesthesia and surgery has been recognised for more than 100 yr. Research into cognitive change after anaesthesia and surgery accelerated in the 1980s when multiple studies utilised detailed neuropsychological testing for assessment of cognitive change after cardiac surgery. This body of work consistently documented decline in cognitive function in elderly patients after anaesthesia and surgery, and cognitive changes have been identified up to 7.5 yr afterwards. ⋯ For clinical purposes, it is recommended to use the DSM-5 nomenclature. The working group recommends that 'perioperative neurocognitive disorders' be used as an overarching term for cognitive impairment identified in the preoperative or postoperative period. This includes cognitive decline diagnosed before operation (described as neurocognitive disorder); any form of acute event (postoperative delirium) and cognitive decline diagnosed up to 30 days after the procedure (delayed neurocognitive recovery) and up to 12 months (postoperative neurocognitive disorder).
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Intravenous infusion of lidocaine significantly reduces propofol dose for colonoscopy: a randomised placebo-controlled study.
Propofol use during sedation for colonoscopy can result in cardiopulmonary complications. Intravenous lidocaine can alleviate visceral pain and decrease propofol requirements during surgery. We tested the hypothesis that i.v. lidocaine reduces propofol requirements during colonoscopy and improves post-colonoscopy recovery. ⋯ NCT 02784860.
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Several case reports have described anatomical variations that can cause difficulty with front-of-neck airway access, such as major vessels anterior to the trachea. The prevalence of these anomalies is unknown. ⋯ It is common for patients to have some portion of a major vessel anterior to the trachea at sites where an emergency tracheostomy might be performed.
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Comparative Study
Laryngeal handshake technique in locating the cricothyroid membrane: a non-randomised comparative study.
Evaluation of the anterior neck anatomy is used to identify the cricothyroid membrane (CTM) before front of neck airway access. This has been traditionally performed using palpation which results in misidentification of the CTM in a high proportion of subjects. The 'laryngeal handshake' is currently advocated by the Difficult Airway Society as the method to identify the CTM. We sought to investigate the accuracy of this technique in females. ⋯ The 'laryngeal handshake' method of palpation is more accurate but takes longer than conventional palpation technique in locating the CTM and the midline. This is of particular relevance if a vertical incision is required to perform front of neck access when anatomy is indistinct.