Association Between Race and Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression: An International Post Hoc Analysis of the Prediction of Opioid-induced Respiratory Depression In Patients Monitored by Capnography Trial.

BACKGROUND: Opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD) is common on the medical and surgical wards and is associated with increased morbidity and health care costs. While previous studies have investigated risk factors for OIRD, the role of race remains unclear. We aim to investigate the association between race and OIRD occurrence on the medical/surgical ward. METHODS: This is a post hoc analysis of the PRediction of Opioid-induced respiratory Depression In patients monitored by capnoGraphY (PRODIGY) trial; a prospective multinational observational blinded study of 1335 general ward patients who received parenteral opioids and underwent blinded capnography and oximetry monitoring to identify OIRD episodes. For this study, demographic and perioperative data, including race and comorbidities, were analyzed and assessed for potential associations with OIRD. Univariable χ 2 and Mann-Whitney U tests were used. Stepwise selection of all baseline and demographic characteristics was used in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1253 patients had sufficient racial data (317 Asian, 158 Black, 736 White, and 42 other races) for inclusion. The incidence of OIRD was 60% in Asians (N = 190/317), 25% in Blacks (N = 40/158), 43% in Whites (N = 316/736), and 45% (N = 19/42) in other races. Baseline characteristics varied significantly: Asians were older, more opioid naïve, and had higher opioid requirements, while Blacks had higher incidences of heart failure, obesity, and smoking. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression revealed that Asians had increased risk of OIRD compared to Blacks (odds ratio [OR], 2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54-4.04; P = .0002) and Whites (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01-1.87; P = .0432). Whites had a higher risk of OIRD compared to Blacks (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.18-2.78; P = .0067). The model's area under the curve was 0.760 (95% CI, 0.733-0.787), with a Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test P value of .23. CONCLUSIONS: This post hoc analysis of PRODIGY found a novel association between Asian race and increased OIRD incidence. Further study is required to elucidate its underlying mechanisms and develop targeted care pathways to reduce OIRD in susceptible populations.

Besdata Video Laryngeal Mask (BD-VLM)- a New Vision-Incorporated 3rd Generation Video Laryngeal Mask Airway : Dear editor.

Since the recent editorial 2, we were approached to evaluate another video laryngeal mask airway - the Besdata Video Laryngeal Mask (BD-VLM) TM, which has a different design concept, specifications and characteristics (Figure 1) compared to the other two.

Comparing the first-attempt tracheal intubation success of the hyperangulated McGrath® X-blade vs the Macintosh-type CMAC videolaryngoscope in patients with cervical immobilization: a two-centre randomized controlled trial.

We compared the hyperangulated McGrath X-blade with the Macintosh-type CMAC videolaryngoscope through the use of manual in-line stabilization on patients. The primary hypothesis was that the McGrath X-blade has a similar first-attempt success rate as the CMAC videolaryngoscope. 210 patients of ASA physical status I to III, aged 21 to 80 years old, undergoing general anesthesia requiring tracheal intubation were prospectively recruited into this two-centre randomized controlled trial, from June 2016 to April 2019. Patients with history of or predicted difficult airway, pre-existing dental risks, BMI > 35 kg/m2, cervical spondylosis or myelopathy, aspiration risks, patients who declined to participate or lacked the mental capacity to give consent were excluded. Participants were intubated using either hyperangulated McGrath X-blade (MGX) or Macintosh-type CMAC (CM) videolaryngoscopy, with manual in-line stabilization. Primary outcome measured was first-attempt tracheal intubation success. Secondary outcomes included overall successful intubation within 2 attempts or 120 s, time to intubation, glottic view obtained and intubation-related complications. First-attempt success rates were 71.4% in the MGX group vs. 79.0% in the CM group (p = 0.26), with an absolute difference of -7.6% (95%CI -20%, 5.0%, p value = 0.26), but this trial was underpowered to detect a difference. Overall success was 91.4% (MGX) vs. 92.4% (CM) (p > 0.99). The Cormack & Lehane laryngeal grade was superior in the MGX group compared to CM group (Grade I: MGX 44%, CM 23%; Grade II: MGX 53%, CM 45%; Grade III: MGX 3%, CM 32%; p < 0.001). The median time to intubation using the MGX was longer than the CM [MGX 55.5 s (42.1-78.3), CM 43.8 s (38-55.3); p < 0.001]. Our study did not demonstrate a significant difference in efficacy between the McGrath X-blade and the CMAC videolaryngoscope. In patients with manual in-line stabilization, no anticipated airway difficulty and in the hands of experienced operators, the McGrath X-blade provided superior glottic views but conferred no advantage over the C-MAC, with a longer median time to intubation compared to the CMAC videolaryngoscope.Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12616000668404).

Airway Management in Surgical Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, and the difficult airway is perhaps the anesthesiologists' quintessential concern. OSA and the difficult airway share certain similar anatomical, morphological, and physiological features. Individual studies and systematic reviews of retrospective, case-control, and large database studies have shown a likely association between patients with OSA and the difficult airway; OSA patients have a 3- to 4-fold higher risk of difficult intubation, difficult mask ventilation, or a combination of both. The presence of OSA should initiate proactive perioperative management in anticipation of a difficult airway. Prudent intraoperative management comprises the use of regional anesthesia where possible and considering an awake intubation technique where there is the presence of notable difficult airway predictors and risk of rapid desaturation following induction of general anesthesia. Familiarity with difficult airway algorithms, cautious extubation, and appropriate postoperative monitoring of patients with OSA are necessary to mitigate perioperative risks.

Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Difficult Intubation: Prospective Multicenter Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been found to be associated with difficult airway, although there is a paucity of prospective studies investigating thresholds of OSA severity with difficult airway outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the association between OSA and difficult intubation or difficult mask ventilation. We also explored the utility of the Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure, Body mass index, Age, Neck circumference, and Gender (STOP-Bang) score for difficult airway prediction. METHODS: The Postoperative Vascular Complications in Unrecognized Obstructive Sleep Apnea (POSA) trial was an international prospective cohort study of surgical patients 45 years or older with one or more cardiac risk factor presenting for noncardiac surgery, with planned secondary analyses of difficult airway outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression analyses tested associations between OSA severity and predictors of difficult airway with difficult intubation or difficult mask ventilation. Overall, 869 patients without prior diagnosis of OSA were screened for OSA risk with the STOP-Bang tool, underwent preoperative sleep study, and had routine perioperative care, including general anesthesia with tracheal intubation. The primary outcome analyzed was difficult intubation, and the secondary outcome was difficult mask ventilation. RESULTS: Based on the sleep studies, 287 (33%), 324 (37%), 169 (20%), and 89 (10%) of the 869 patients had no, mild, moderate, and severe OSA, respectively. One hundred and seventy-two (20%) had a STOP-Bang score of 0-2 (low risk), 483 (55%) had a STOP-Bang score of 3-4 (intermediate risk), and 214 (25%) had a STOP-Bang score 5-8 (high risk). The incidence of difficult intubation was 6.7% (58 of 869), and difficult mask ventilation was 3.7% (32 of 869). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that moderate OSA (odds ratio [OR] = 3.26 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.37-8.38], adjusted P = .010) and severe OSA (OR = 4.05 [95% CI, 1.51-11.36], adjusted P = .006) but not mild OSA were independently associated with difficult intubation compared to patients without OSA. Relative to scores of 0-2, STOP-Bang scores of 3-4 and 5-8 were associated with increased odds of difficult intubation (OR = 3.01 [95% CI, 1.13-10.40, adjusted P = .046] and 4.38 [95% CI, 1.46-16.36, adjusted P = .014]), respectively. OSA was not associated with difficult mask ventilation, and only increasing neck circumference was found to be associated (adjusted P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate and severe OSA were associated with difficult intubation, and increasing neck circumference was associated with difficult mask ventilation. A higher STOP-Bang score of 3 or more may be associated with difficult intubation versus STOP-Bang score of 0-2. Anesthesiologists should be vigilant for difficult intubation when managing patients suspected or diagnosed with OSA.

Time to consider supraglottic airway device oropharyngeal leak pressure measurement more objectively.

Oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP) is considered a measure of successful placement, adequate performance and is a useful comparator between supraglottic airway devices (SADs). OLP measurement is based on the premise that the SAD is sited properly in the hypopharynx after blind placements, but the evidence suggests otherwise. Several limitations and controversies surround OLP. This editorial addresses the uses and pitfalls of OLP, the rationale for and methods of ascertaining OLP, the pros and cons of OLP measurement and newer modalities to improve its accuracy.

Choosing the best supraglottic airway for ophthalmic general anaesthesia: a manikin study.

General anaesthesia is sometimes favoured over regional anaesthesia in ophthalmic surgery. The use of supraglottic airway (SGA) or laryngeal mask airway (LMA) as the primary airway device is increasing due to numerous advantages over tracheal intubation. Compared with 1st generation SGAs, 2nd generation SGAs have an added benefit of isolating the airway from the alimentary tract. However, the vertical profile of SGAs may encroach into the surgical field and hence interfere with surgery. We investigated the vertical projections of 1st generation SGAs (LMA Classic, Ambu AuraFlex) and commonly used 2nd generation SGAs in our institution (LMA ProSeal, LMA Supreme, LMA Protector, Ambu AuraGain and I-gel) in a manikin model. Each device was connected to a corrugated catheter mount or angled connector following insertion as per usual clinical practice in our institutions. Vertical projections of all devices were measured from the chin using a centimetre ruler. Securing of airway device to the chin with an adhesive tape was possible for the LMA Classic and Ambu AuraFlex with straight corrugated connector, whereas the stiffer 2nd generations SGAs required the addition of an angled connector or straight corrugated tubing to direct the airway tube caudally, away from the surgical field. The LMA ProSeal had the lowest vertical projection amongst the 2nd generation SGAs and may be the suitable choice for ophthalmic surgery. We also describe a novel technique of utilising a 1st generation SGA with placement of an orogastric tube, although with some reservations. This study has several limitations and transferability of our findings into clinical practice is questionable as the use of a manikin may not fully imitate the real condition of the patient. Our study is the first study comparing vertical projected height of different SGAs in manikin, but future studies should investigate the use of SGA in the clinical setting during ophthalmic surgery.

Measuring endotracheal tube intracuff pressure: no room for complacency.

Tracheal intubation constitutes a routine part in the care of critically ill and anaesthetised patients. Prolonged use of endotracheal with inflated cuff is one of the major multifactorial causes of complications. Both under-inflation and over-inflation of cuff are associated with complications. Despite known problems, regular measurement of cuff pressure is not routine, and it is performed on an ad hoc basis.

A New Approach for Detecting Sleep Apnea Using a Contactless Bed Sensor: Comparison Study.

BACKGROUND: At present, there is an increased demand for accurate and personalized patient monitoring because of the various challenges facing health care systems. For instance, rising costs and lack of physicians are two serious problems affecting the patient's care. Nonintrusive monitoring of vital signs is a potential solution to close current gaps in patient monitoring. As an example, bed-embedded ballistocardiogram (BCG) sensors can help physicians identify cardiac arrhythmia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) nonintrusively without interfering with the patient's everyday activities. Detecting OSA using BCG sensors is gaining popularity among researchers because of its simple installation and accessibility, that is, their nonwearable nature. In the field of nonintrusive vital sign monitoring, a microbend fiber optic sensor (MFOS), among other sensors, has proven to be suitable. Nevertheless, few studies have examined apnea detection. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the capabilities of an MFOS for nonintrusive vital signs and sleep apnea detection during an in-lab sleep study. Data were collected from patients with sleep apnea in the sleep laboratory at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. METHODS: In total, 10 participants underwent full polysomnography (PSG), and the MFOS was placed under the patient's mattress for BCG data collection. The apneic event detection algorithm was evaluated against the manually scored events obtained from the PSG study on a minute-by-minute basis. Furthermore, normalized mean absolute error (NMAE), normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were employed to evaluate the sensor capabilities for vital sign detection, comprising heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR). Vital signs were evaluated based on a 30-second time window, with an overlap of 15 seconds. In this study, electrocardiogram and thoracic effort signals were used as references to estimate the performance of the proposed vital sign detection algorithms. RESULTS: For the 10 patients recruited for the study, the proposed system achieved reasonable results compared with PSG for sleep apnea detection, such as an accuracy of 49.96% (SD 6.39), a sensitivity of 57.07% (SD 12.63), and a specificity of 45.26% (SD 9.51). In addition, the system achieved close results for HR and RR estimation, such as an NMAE of 5.42% (SD 0.57), an NRMSE of 6.54% (SD 0.56), and an MAPE of 5.41% (SD 0.58) for HR, whereas an NMAE of 11.42% (SD 2.62), an NRMSE of 13.85% (SD 2.78), and an MAPE of 11.60% (SD 2.84) for RR. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the recommended system produced reasonably good results for apneic event detection, considering the fact that we are using a single-channel BCG sensor. Conversely, satisfactory results were obtained for vital sign detection when compared with the PSG outcomes. These results provide preliminary support for the potential use of the MFOS for sleep apnea detection.

The neglected perioperative population of undiagnosed diabetics - a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is known to increase morbidity and 30-day mortality in adults undergoing non-cardiac surgery, but longer term outcomes are less studied. This study was done to explore how undiagnosed and known diabetes affect 30-day and one-year morbidity and mortality outcomes. The secondary aim was to study the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetics in our perioperative Asian surgical population. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 2106 patients aged > 45 years undergoing non-cardiac surgery in a single tertiary hospital was performed. Undiagnosed diabetics were identified (HbA1c ≥6.5% or fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dL) and relevant demographic, clinical and surgical data were analyzed to elicit the relationship to adverse outcomes. Univariate analysis was first performed to identify significant variables with p-values ≤0.1, which were then analyzed using multiple logistic regression to calculate the adjusted odds ratio. RESULTS: The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was 7.4%. The mean and median HbA1c of known diabetics were 7.9 and 7.5%, while the mean and median HbA1c for undiagnosed diabetics were 7.2 and 6.8% respectively. 36.4% of known diabetics and 20.5% of undiagnosed diabetics respectively had a random blood glucose > 200 mg/dL. Undiagnosed diabetics had a three-fold increase in 1-year mortality compared to non-diabetics (adjusted OR 3.46(1.80-6.49) p < 0.001) but this relationship was not significant between known and non-diabetics. Compared to non-diabetics, known diabetics were at increased risks of new-onset atrial fibrillation (aOR 2.48(1.01-6.25) p = 0.047), infection (aOR 1.49(1.07-2.07) p = 0.017), 30-day readmission (aOR 1.62(1.17-2.25) p = 0.004) and 30-day mortality (aOR 3.11(1.16-8.56) p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Although undiagnosed diabetics have biochemically less severe disease compared to known diabetics at the point of testing, they are at a one-year mortality disadvantage which is not seen among known diabetics. This worrying trend highlights the importance of identifying and treating diabetes. Congruent to previous studies, known diabetics have higher morbidity and 30-day mortality compared to non-diabetics.

Factors predicting one-year post-surgical mortality amongst older Asian patients undergoing moderate to major non-cardiac surgery - a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: While short-term perioperative outcomes have been well studied in Western surgical populations, the aim of this study is to look at the one-year perioperative mortality and its associated factors in an Asian surgical population after non-cardiac surgery. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 2163 patients aged above 45 undergoing non-cardiac surgery in a university-affiliated tertiary hospital from January to July 2015 was performed. Relevant demographic, clinical and surgical data were analysed to elicit their relationship to mortality at one year after surgery. A univariate analysis was first performed to identify significant variables with p-values ≤ 0.2, which were then analysed using Firth multiple logistic regression to calculate the adjusted odds ratio. RESULTS: The one-year mortality in our surgical population was 5.9%. The significant factors that increased one-year mortality include smoking (adjusted OR 2.17 (1.02-4.45), p = 0.044), anaemia (adjusted OR 1.32 (1.16-1.47), p < 0.001, for every 1 g/dL drop in haemoglobin level), lower BMI (adjusted OR 0.93 (0.87-0.98), p = 0.005, for every 1 point increase in BMI), Malay and Indian ethnicity (adjusted OR 2.68 (1.53-4.65), p = 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (adjusted OR 4.21 (1.62-10.38), p = 0.004), advanced age (adjusted OR 1.04 (1.01-1.06), p = 0.004, for every one year increase in age), emergency surgery (adjusted OR 2.26 (1.29-3.15), p = 0.005) and malignancy (adjusted OR 3.20 (1.85-5.52), p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that modifiable risk factors such as malnutrition, anaemia and smoking which affect short term mortality extend beyond the immediate perioperative period into longer term outcomes. Identification and optimization of this subset of patients are therefore vital. Further similar large studies should be done to develop a risk scoring system for post-operative long-term outcomes. This would aid clinicians in risk stratification, counselling and surgical planning, which will help in patients' decision making and care planning.

Association of Unrecognized Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Postoperative Cardiovascular Events in Patients Undergoing Major Noncardiac Surgery.

Importance: Unrecognized obstructive sleep apnea increases cardiovascular risks in the general population, but whether obstructive sleep apnea poses a similar risk in the perioperative period remains uncertain. Objectives: To determine the association between obstructive sleep apnea and 30-day risk of cardiovascular complications after major noncardiac surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants: Prospective cohort study involving adult at-risk patients without prior diagnosis of sleep apnea and undergoing major noncardiac surgery from 8 hospitals in 5 countries between January 2012 and July 2017, with follow-up until August 2017. Postoperative monitoring included nocturnal pulse oximetry and measurement of cardiac troponin concentrations. Exposures: Obstructive sleep apnea was classified as mild (respiratory event index [REI] 5-14.9 events/h), moderate (REI 15-30), and severe (REI >30), based on preoperative portable sleep monitoring. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a composite of myocardial injury, cardiac death, heart failure, thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation, and stroke within 30 days of surgery. Proportional-hazards analysis was used to determine the association between obstructive sleep apnea and postoperative cardiovascular complications. Results: Among a total of 1364 patients recruited for the study, 1218 patients (mean age, 67 [SD, 9] years; 40.2% women) were included in the analyses. At 30 days after surgery, rates of the primary outcome were 30.1% (41/136) for patients with severe OSA, 22.1% (52/235) for patients with moderate OSA, 19.0% (86/452) for patients with mild OSA, and 14.2% (56/395) for patients with no OSA. OSA was associated with higher risk for the primary outcome (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.49 [95% CI, 1.19-2.01]; P = .01); however, the association was significant only among patients with severe OSA (adjusted HR, 2.23 [95% CI, 1.49-3.34]; P = .001) and not among those with moderate OSA (adjusted HR, 1.47 [95% CI, 0.98-2.09]; P = .07) or mild OSA (adjusted HR, 1.36 [95% CI, 0.97-1.91]; P = .08) (P = .01 for interaction). The mean cumulative duration of oxyhemoglobin desaturation less than 80% during the first 3 postoperative nights in patients with cardiovascular complications (23.1 [95% CI, 15.5-27.7] minutes) was longer than in those without (10.2 [95% CI, 7.8-10.9] minutes) (P < .001). No significant interaction effects on perioperative outcomes were observed with type of anesthesia, use of postoperative opioids, and supplemental oxygen therapy. Conclusions and Relevance: Among at-risk adults undergoing major noncardiac surgery, unrecognized severe obstructive sleep apnea was significantly associated with increased risk of 30-day postoperative cardiovascular complications. Further research would be needed to assess whether interventions can modify this risk.

Genetic Polymorphisms and Cytokine Profile of Different Ethnicities inSeptic Shock Patients and their Association with Mortality.

OBJECTIVE: The outcomes of sepsis and septic shock patients are heterogonous, with avariable response despite standardized care. The aim of this study was toexplore the racial differences in septic shock outcomes, and theirassociation with genetic polymorphisms and cytokine levels in an Asianpopulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational cohort study with Intensive Care units of a 500bedded tertiary care hospital in Singapore. 198 patients (73 Chinese, 73Malay and 52 Indian and others) admitted to the Khoo Teck Puat HospitalIntensive Care Unit between August 2016 and June 2017, with a diagnosis ofsevere sepsis (according to) were enrolled. Plasma interlukin-6 (IL-6),interlukin-10 (IL-10) and tumour necrosis factor-a (TNFa) were measuredusing a highly sensitive quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA) (BioVendor, Modrice, Czech Republic). The gene panel studiedincluded 16 genes. RESULTS: The rs7038903 common variant in SVEP1 gene showed significant associationwith sepsis severity independent of other variants in ordinal logistic andlinear regression model (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002 respectively). Moreover, the association between rs7038903 and increased hazard for death remained significant after further adjusting for cytokines level. Interestingly, significant differences were seen in plasma IL6 inindividuals with or without rs7038903 C allele (28pg/ml (IQR 12-86) vs90pg/ml (IQR 49-155); P=0.022) in patients with severe sepsis in the Malayethnic group. CONCLUSION: Our study shows a promising polymorphism in SVEP1 gene (rs7038903) which isassociated with sepsis shock and 28 days mortality, independent of age, gender, and method of diagnosis and SOFA score. Collectively, while our findings so far have shown the additional value or measuring cytokines andgenetic markers in sepsis outcomes in the local population, further largescare studies are needed in a heterogeneous septic population with arigorous analysis to know the significance of our findings. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Siddiqui S, Gurung RL et al. Genetic Polymorphisms and Cytokine Profile of Different Ethnicities in Septic Shock Patients, and their Association with Mortality. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;29(3):135-138.

Choosing anesthesia options for cataract surgery in patients with dementia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Not all patients with dementia are the same, and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) helps in staging dementia. Ophthalmologists usually prefer general anesthesia (GA) for cataract surgery in patients with dementia. We evaluated the impact of "Choosing Wisely" initiative on anesthesia options for cataract surgery in patients with dementia undergoing cataract surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of electronic perioperative database was performed over a 4-year period of patients with a specific diagnosis of dementia undergoing cataract surgery, after the introduction of the "Choosing Wisely" based on preoperative GDS assessment. Preferred method by the listing ophthalmologist, changes in anesthesia modality based on GDS, and the occurrence of intraoperative events were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-six patients with dementia underwent cataract surgery over a 4-year period. The mean patient age was 78 years, 73.5% female, and 55% ASA physical status III. GA was administered for GDS stage 6-7, and regional anesthesia (RA) for GDS stages 1-5. Surgery was uneventful under RA in 64% of the patients (87 out of 136), and 2% (3 patients) originally deemed suitable for RA were converted to GA. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found a reduced requirement for GA when "Choosing Wisely' initiative was used based on the GDS stage.

Novel use of laryngeal mask airway classic excel™ for bronchoscopy and tracheal intubation.

The usage frequency and scope of supraglottic airway devices in anesthesia has expanded since the original laryngeal mask airway (LMA) prototype was invented by Dr Archie Brain in the early 1980s. Today, anesthesiologists are spoilt-for-choice with more than thirty options. The LMA Classic Excel™ was introduced to anesthesia practice in 2009; designed with an epiglottic elevating bar and a removable airway connector to facilitate tracheal intubation using the LMA as a conduit. We present a case report of a women diagnosed with papillary carcinoma of thyroid, who underwent bronchoscopic assessment of the trachea and subsequent intubation for an en-bloc dissection and removal of thyroid gland through the LMA Classic Excel™.

Continuous spinal technique in surgery and obstetrics.

Continuous Spinal Anaesthesia (CSA) technique has all the advantages of single-shot spinal anaesthesia with the added benefit of prolonging the duration of anaesthesia. CSA has been used as a primary method of anaesthesia as an alternative to general anaesthesia in high-risk and elderly patients for various elective and emergency surgical procedures involving the abdomen, lower limbs, and vascular surgeries. CSA has also been used in some obstetrics units. Despite its advantages, CSA technique remains underutilised because it is surrounded with myths, mysteries, and controversies concerning neurological, other morbidities and minor technical difficulties. This article includes a description of CSA technique compared to other contemporary central neuraxial blocks. It also discusses the perioperative applications of CSA for different surgical and obstetrics procedures, advantages, disadvantages, complications, problems, and pointers on how to perform the technique safely.