Ultrasound-guided sphenopalatine ganglion block for effective analgesia during awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation (AFNI) is the preferred airway management strategy for patients with difficult airways. However, this procedure can cause significant physical and psychological distress. This case report explores the application of a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block as an alternative analgesic modality to mitigate the discomfort associated with AFNI. CASE SUMMARY: A 63-year-old female with a history of right maxillary osteosarcoma underwent craniotomy for a suspected malignant brain lesion. The patient's medical history included prior surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, resulting in significant jaw impairment and limited neck mobility. Considering the anticipated airway challenges, AFNI was planned. A SPG block was performed under real-time ultrasound guidance, providing effective analgesia during nasotracheal intubation. CONCLUSION: The SPG block represents a promising analgesic approach in AFNI, offering potential benefits in alleviating pain involving the nasal and nasopharyngeal regions as well as improving patient cooperation.

A comparative evaluation of fibreoptic bronchoscopy versus C-MAC® D-BLADE-guided videolaryngoscopy for nasotracheal intubation under general anesthesia in oropharyngeal carcinoma surgery patients.

PURPOSE: Nasotracheal intubation (NTI) is required for surgery in oropharyngeal (OP) carcinoma patients, but it may be challenging because of distorted anatomy, mucosal congestion, and increased risk of bleeding. Flexible bronchoscopy (FB)-guided NTI is preferred in these cases but has limitations. In this randomized controlled study, we sought to compare C-MAC® D-BLADE-guided videolaryngoscopy (VL) (Karl Storz SE & Co. KG, Tuttlingen, Germany) with FB for NTI under general anesthesia in patients with OP carcinomas. METHODS: We randomized a total of 100 patients with OP carcinoma and El-Ganzouri's risk index (EGRI) < 7 to undergo NTI under general anesthesia with FB (n = 50) or C-MAC D-BLADE-guided VL (n = 50). The primary outcome was the total intubation time. We also recorded the time to glottis view, nasal intubation difficulty scale (NIDS) score, best percentage of glottis opening score, and complications. RESULTS: The median [interquartile range (IQR)] total intubation time was shorter with VL than with FB (total intubation time, 38 [26-43] sec vs 60 [52-65] sec; difference, -20 sec [95% confidence interval (CI), -27 to -11]; P < 0.001). Similarly, the median [IQR] time to glottis view was shorter with VL compared to FB (8 [6-9] sec vs 22 [14-25] sec; difference, -13 sec [95% CI, -17 to -10]; P < 0.001). The median NIDS score was higher with VL (difference, 2 [95% CI, 2 to 3]; P < 0.001). The incidences of airway trauma (two cases with FB vs seven with VL; P = 0.30) and postoperative sore throat (ten cases in both groups; P = 0.56) were similar. CONCLUSION: Compared to FB, C-MAC D-BLADE-based VL reduced the total time for nasal intubation oropharyngeal carcinoma patients, potentially representing an acceptable alternative in selected cases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTRI.nic.in (2018/11/0162830); first submitted 8 November 2018.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'intubation nasotrachéale est nécessaire pour la chirurgie chez la patientèle atteinte de carcinome oropharyngé, mais elle peut être difficile en raison d'une anatomie déformée, d'une congestion des muqueuses et d'un risque accru de saignement. Dans ces cas, il est préférable d'utiliser une intubation nasotrachéale guidée par bronchoscopie flexible (BF), mais cette modalité a ses limites. Dans cette étude randomisée contrôlée, nous avons cherché à comparer la vidéolaryngoscopie guidée par lame D-BLADE C-MAC® (VL) (Karl Storz SE & Co. KG, Tuttlingen, Allemagne) à la BF pour réaliser l'intubation nasotrachéale sous anesthésie générale chez les patient·es ayant un carcinome oropharyngé. MéTHODE: Au total, nous avons randomisé 100 personnes atteintes d'un carcinome oropharyngé et présentant un indice de risque d'El-Ganzouri (EGRI) < 7 à bénéficier d'une intubation nasotrachéale sous anesthésie générale par BF (n = 50) ou par VL guidée par lame D-BLADE C-MAC (n = 50). Le critère d'évaluation principal était le temps d'intubation total. Nous avons également enregistré le temps écoulé jusqu'à la visualisation de la glotte, le score sur l'échelle de difficulté de l'intubation nasale (NIDS), le meilleur pourcentage de score d'ouverture de la glotte et les complications. RéSULTATS: La durée totale d'intubation médiane [écart interquartile (ÉIQ)] était plus courte avec la VL qu'avec la BF (durée totale d'intubation, 38 [26­43] sec vs 60 [52 à 65] secondes; différence, −20 sec [intervalle de confiance (IC) à 95 %, −27 à −11]; P < 0,001). De même, le temps médian [ÉIQ] jusqu'à la visualisation de la glotte était plus court avec la VL qu'avec la BF (8 [6­9] sec vs 22 [14 à 25] secondes; différence, −13 sec [IC 95 %, −17 à −10]; P < 0,001). Le score médian sur l'échelle NIDS était plus élevé avec la VL (différence, 2 [IC 95 %, 2 à 3]; P < 0,001). L'incidence des traumatismes des voies aériennes (deux cas avec la BF vs sept avec la VL; P = 0,30) et le mal de gorge postopératoire (dix cas dans les deux groupes; P = 0,56) étaient similaires. CONCLUSION: Par rapport à la BF, la VL guidée par lame D-BLADE C-MAC a réduit le temps total d'intubation nasale pour les personnes atteintes d'un carcinome oropharyngé, ce qui représente potentiellement une alternative acceptable dans certains cas. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: CTRI.nic.in (2018/11/0162830); première soumission le 8 novembre 2018.

Experimental Analysis of the Efficiency and Usability of Tylke Versus Magill Forceps.

INTRODUCTION: The procedure of nasotracheal intubation (NI) has long been performed utilizing the Magill forceps as developed by Sir Ivan Magill in the 1920s. While used for nearly a century, several serious patient safety concerns remain including torn tube cuffs, vocal cord trauma, and inefficient tube placement. The Tylke forceps have been developed as a modification to the largely unchanged form of Magill forceps. METHODS: In the present investigation we compared the efficacy, number of clasps, and muscle activation involved in NI using the Tylke forceps versus the Magill forceps in previously untrained individuals. RESULTS: Tylke forceps showed faster successful NI over the standard Magill forceps at an average intubation time of 6.54s vs. 13.73s, respectively. Tylke forceps also had fewer clasps per intubation over the Magill. The trapezius, deltoid, and brachioradialis muscle activation was also compared in Tylke vs Magill forceps intubation trials. Tylke forceps required less lower muscle activation in the brachioradialis and trapezius over the Magill forceps with Tylke forceps resulting in higher deltoid muscle activation. CONCLUSION: Tylke forceps were more efficacious and reduced the number of clasps over the Magill forceps when used in successful NI with different muscle activation patterns.

Intubación nasotraqueal con ‘videolaringoscopio artesanal’ en paciente con vía aérea dificultosa prevista

RESUMEN El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar un caso de vía aérea dificultosa prevista que requirió intubación nasotraqueal (INT) para cirugía maxilofacial, y se resolvió con un laringoscopio convencional modificado mediante el agregado de una mini cámara. Paciente de sexo femenino de 68 años, coordinada para osteosíntesis de maxilar inferior y órbita con INT. Antecedentes: neoplasma de mama operado. Fumadora intensa. Traumatismo encéfalocraneano 3 semanas antes, con fractura de peñasco y sin lesiones parenquimatosas. Parálisis facial periférica secundaria al trauma. Del examen se destaca: desviación de rasgos a izquierda, parálisis de Bell, apertura bucal disminuida (2,5 cm), Mallampati IV, flexo-extensión de cuello limitada, distancias conservadas. Se preparó la narina derecha con solución de adrenalina aplicada con torundas. Premedicación con Fentanil 2 mg/kg, preoxigenación al 100%, inducción con propofol. Se comprobó una buena permeabilidad de la narina derecha digitalmente, por lo que se pasó una sonda endotraqueal (SET) 7.0 hasta atravesar los cornetes; laringoscopía con pala curva número 3 preparada con una cámara de 7 mm (7 mm USB Endoscope, Welsky Technologies Limited) pegada en el extremo distal, conectada a una notebook en la cual se visualizaron las estructuras. No se administró relajante muscular hasta lograr la intubación. Al visualizar las cuerdas vocales en la pantalla, se progresó la SET en la vía aérea sin necesidad de utilizar pinza de Magill. Conclusión: el laringoscopio modificado con el agregado de una cámara y bajo visión en una pantalla fue efectivo para realizar la INT y resolver esta situación de vía aérea dificultosa prevista.

SUMMARY The objective of this work was to analyze a case of expected difficult airway that required nasotracheal intubation (INT) for maxillofacial surgery, which was resolved with a traditional laryngoscope modified by the addition of a mini-camera. Female patient, 68 years of age, scheduled for osteosynthesis of jaw and orbit with INT. History: operation of breast cancer. Heavy smoker. Traumatic brain injury 3 weeks before, with petrous bone fracture and no parenchymal injuries. Peripheral facial paralysis secondary to trauma. Examination shows: features deviation to the left, Bell's palsy, reduced mouth opening (2.5 cm), Mallampati IV, limited flexion and extension of the neck, distances are preserved. Right nostril was prepared with adrenaline solution applied with swabs. Premedication with Fentanyl 2 g/kg, preoxygenation at 100%, induction with propofol. Good permeability of right nostril was confirmed by digital examination, allowing to insert a 7.0 endotracheal tube (ETT) until passing through the turbinate bones; laryngoscopy with #3 curved blade equipped with a 7 mm camera (7 mm USB Endoscope, Welsky Technologies Limited) at the distal tip, connected to a notebook wherein structures were visualized. No muscle relaxant was administered until intubation was completed. ETT was introduced after visualizing the vocal cords on the screen; Magill forceps were not used. Conclusion: the laryngoscope modified by the addition of a camera for visualization on a monitor screen was effective to carry out INT and manage this expected difficult airway situation.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar um caso de previsão de via aérea difícil que requereu intubacão nasotraqueal (INT) para cirurgia maxilofacial, que foi solucionado com um laringoscópio convencional modificado mediante o acoplamento de uma câmera. Paciente do sexo feminino de 68 anos, marcada para realizar osteossintese do maxilar inferior e orbita com INT. Antecedentes. Operada de neoplasia de mama. Tabagista intensa. Traumatismo encefalocrãniano há 3 semanas, com fratura de rochedo e sem lesões parenquimatosas. Paralisia facial periférica secundaria ao trauma. Do exame destaca-se : desvio de simetria facial a esquerda, paralisia de Bell, abertura bucal diminuída (2.5 cm) Mallampatti IV, flexo-extensão do pescoço limitada, distancias conservadas. Preparou-se a narina direita com solução de adrenalina aplicada em torundas. Premedicação com Fentanil 2 µg /kg, pré-oxigenacão a 100%, indução com Propofol. Comprovou-se boa permeabilidade da narina direita digitalmente, pela qual se introduziu uma sonda endotraqueal (SET) 7.0 até atravessar os cornetos , laringoscopia com lamina curva numero 3 preparada com uma câmera de 7 mm (7 mm USB Endoscope , Welsky Technologies Limited) acoplada ao extremo distal, conectada a um notebook no qual se visualizaram as estruturas. Não se administrou relaxante muscular ate que houve-se sucesso na intubação. Ao visualizar as cordas vocais na tela, se progrediu a SET na via aérea sem necessidade de utilização de pinça de Magill. Conclusão: o laringoscópio modificado com uma câmera acoplada e visualização numa tela foi efetivo para realizar a INT e resolver essa situação de previsão de via aérea difícil.