Saudi journal of anaesthesia
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Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare hypermetabolic disorder of skeletal muscles that manifests as a life-threatening crisis in susceptible individuals, after exposure to triggering agents, most commonly halothane and succinylcholine. MH presents with multiple nonspecific signs and laboratory findings such as tachycardia, hyperthermia, hypercarbia, acidosis, and muscle rigidity. Caffeine halothane contracture test is not available at most centers in India. ⋯ The high degree of suspicion, early recognition and aggressive treatment should commence immediately. It is imperative to avoid triggering agents, such as volatile anesthetics and succinylcholine, and promote the use of total intravenous anesthesia in MH susceptible patients. We report a case of 6-month-old child undergoing laparotomy under general anesthesia, who presented with signs and symptoms of MH, had MH rank 5 and raw score 36.
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Review
Videolaryngoscopes for placement of double lumen tubes: Is it time to say goodbye to direct view?
The advances in thoracic procedures require optimum lung separation to provide adequate room for surgical access. This can be achieved using either a double-lumen tube (DLT) or a bronchial blocker (BB). Most thoracic anesthesiologists prefer the use of DLT. ⋯ In the present review, we present the main outcomes of the available publications, which have addressed the use of VL-guided DLT intubation. Currently, there is enough evidence supporting using VL for DLT intubation in patients with predicted and unanticipated difficult airway. In conclusion, the use of VL could offer an effective method of DLT placement for lung separation in patients with the potential difficult airway.
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Ultrasonography has been suggested as a useful noninvasive tool for intravascular volume assessment in critically ill-patients. Fluid absorption is an inevitable complication of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). However, there are few data comparing the caval aortic index with central venous pressure (CVP) measurement for intravascular volume assessment in patients undergoing TURP. ⋯ Sonographic caval Ao index is useful for the evaluation of preoperative and intraoperative volume status, especially in major surgeries with marked fluid shift or blood loss and had the advantage of being noninvasive, safe, quick, and easy technique with no complications.
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Use of transversus abdominis plane block (TAP) in the management of postoperative pain after the laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been a common anesthetic practice. This study evaluates the effect of adding magnesium sulfate to bupivacaine in TAP block in LC regarding postoperative analgesia and analgesic consumption. ⋯ Adding MgSo4 as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in TAP block; during anesthesia for LC; improved postoperative analgesia in the form of increased duration, decreased analgesic requirements and PONV.
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Ultrasound (US) facilitates central venous catheter (CVC) placement in children. A new supraclavicular approach using the brachiocephalic vein (BCV) for US-guided CVC placement in very small children has been recently described. In 2012, we changed our departmental standard and used the left BCV as preferred puncture site during CVC placement. In our retrospective analysis, we compared US-guided cannulation of the BCV with other puncture sites (control). ⋯ US-guided puncture of the left BCV is a safe method of CVC placement in children. The use of the left BCV was associated with a high success rate in our retrospective analysis.