Comparison of the tidal volume by the recruitment maneuver combined with positive end-expiratory pressure for mechanically ventilated children.

The recruitment maneuver (RM) combined with PEEP to prevent atelectasis have beneficial effects. However, the change in tidal volume (VT) due to RM combined with PEEP in pediatric patients during the induction of general anesthesia is unknown. Therefore, we assessed the effects of RM combined with PEEP on VT. Pediatric patients were divided into three groups: infants, preschool children, and school children. The RM was performed by maintaining pressure control continuous mandatory ventilation (PC-CMV) with a 15 cmH2O and PEEP increase of 5 cmH2O. VT, respiratory function and hemodynamics were monitored before and after RM combined with PEEP. VT (mL) /ideal body weight (kg) before vs. after RM combined with PEEP were 9 vs 12 mL/kg (p < 0.05) in the infants, 9 vs 11 mL/kg (p < 0.05) in the preschool children, 8 vs 10 mL/kg (p < 0.05) in the school children, respectively. HR and BP before and after RM combined with PEEP increased by 2-3% and decreased by 4-7% in all groups. RM combined with PEEP resulted in an increase in VT per ideal body weight (1.1-1.2%). Therefore, this RM combined with PEEP method might improve the lung function in pediatric patients.

The difference in rotation angle of the distal endotracheal tube through nasal approach.

BACKGROUND: Nasal intubation using a fiberoptic scope is a useful technique. In clinical practice, we have experienced difficulty in advancing the endotracheal tube (ETT) over the fiberoptic scope because of resistance to the passage of the ETT against rotation in the nasal cavity, when it gets hung up on structures of the laryngeal inlet. Several maneuvers have been proposed to overcome this difficulty. The gap between the tip of the ETT and the fiberoptic scope can be reduced using a thicker fiberoptic scope and a thinner ETT. Moreover, simultaneous rotation of the fiberoptic scope and ETT could lead to successful intubation by reducing impingement on the ETT. However, the discrepancy between these rotation angles is unclear. This observational prospective study aimed to investigate the discrepancy in the rotation angle between the ETT and fiberoptic scope during nasal intubation. METHODS: The patients (aged 20-80 years) who underwent nasal intubation for oral and maxillofacial surgery participated in three sizes of preformed nasal ETT and were intubated using a fiberoptic scope. They were divided into three groups; the ETT internal diameter (ID) 6.5 mm (6.5 group), ID 7.0 mm (7.0 group), and ID 7.5 mm (7.5 group). The ETT was then inserted through the nasal cavity into the pharynx. After the fiberoptic scope was advanced through the ETT above the glottis, simultaneous rotation by both the proximal end of the fiberoptic scope and ETT was performed in 90° and 180° in both right (clockwise) and left (counterclockwise) directions, and the rotation angle at the distal end of the ETT was monitored using a video laryngoscope (Pentax-AWS). RESULTS: A total of 39 patients were included in the study. When both the proximal end of the fiberscope and ETT were simultaneously rotated by 90°, in the 6.5 group (n = 13), the distal end of the ETT rotated by 47.8 ± 1.5°. In the 7.0 °group (n = 13), the distal end of the ETT rotated by 45.5 ± 1.0°. In the 7.5 group (n = 13), the distal end of the ETT rotated by 39.9 ± 1.0°. When the proximal end of the fiberscope and ETT were rotated by 180°, in the 6.5 group, the distal end of the ETT rotated by 166.2 ± 2.5°. In the 7.0 group, the distal end of the ETT rotated by 145.7 ± 2.2°. In the 7.5 group, the distal end of the ETT rotated by 115.1 ± 2.0°. All rotation angles in the distal end of the ETT were significantly lower than those in both the proximal end of the fiberscope and ETT (p < 0.05). Rotating right by 180° was significantly different among the three groups (p < 0.05), although rotating right by 90° was not significantly different. Similar results were obtained for the left rotation. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous rotation by the proximal end of the ETT and fiberscope above the glottis for the nasal approach induced significant differences in the distal end of the ETT. The larger tube lagged by the resistance of the nasal passages during rotation. Therefore, the ETT does not rotate as much as the rotation angle. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This prospective observational study was conducted after receiving approval from the Ethics Review Board of Kyushu University Hospital (Approval No. 30-447).

Risk Factors for Postoperative Sore Throat After Nasotracheal Intubation.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative sore throat is relatively frequent complication after orotracheal intubation. However, there are few reports about postoperative sore throat in nasotracheal intubation. In this retrospective study, we investigated the risk factors of postoperative sore throat in nasotracheal intubation. METHODS: Anesthesia records of patients 16 to 80 years of age who underwent nasotracheal intubation were included. Patients underwent oral and maxillofacial surgery from February 2015 until September 2018. Airway device (Macintosh laryngoscope, Pentax-AWS, or McGRATH video laryngoscope, or fiberoptic scope), sex, age, height, weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, intubation attempts, duration of intubation, intubation time, tube size, and fentanyl and remifentanil dose were investigated. Fisher exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, Welch t test, and Steel-Dwass multiple test were used, and a multivariable analysis was performed using stepwise logistic regression to determine the risk factors of postoperative sore throat. RESULTS: A total of 169 cases were analyzed, and 126 patients (74.6%) had a postoperative sore throat. Based on the univariate analysis of the data, 12 factors were determined to be potentially related to the occurrence of a postoperative sore throat. However, after evaluation using stepwise logistic regression analysis, the 2 remaining variables that correlated with postoperative sore throat were airway device (P < .05) and intubation attempts (P = .04). In the model using logistic regression analysis, the fiberoptic scope had the strongest influence on the incidence of sore throat with reference to Pentax-AWS (odds ratio = 5.25; 95% CI = 1.54-17.92; P < .05). CONCLUSION: Use of a fiberoptic scope was identified as an independent risk factor for postoperative throat discomfort. Compared with direct laryngoscopy and other video laryngoscopes, the use of a fiberoptic scope had a significantly higher incidence of sore throat.

Alternative Technique for Nasotracheal Intubation Using a Flexible Fiberoptic Scope.

In oral maxillofacial surgery, the endotracheal tube (ETT) is often inserted nasotracheally to provide surgeons a better view and easier access to the oral cavity. Use of a flexible fiberoptic scope is an effective technique for difficult intubation. While the airway anatomy can be observed as the scope is advanced, the ETT tip cannot be observed with the traditional method. It is occasionally difficult to advance the ETT beyond the glottis as impingement of the ETT tip may occur. We devised a new nasotracheal intubation technique using a fiberoptic scope. In this novel technique, the ETT and fiberoptic scope are inserted into the pharyngeal space separately through the right and left nasal cavities. This permits continuous observation of the glottis as the ETT is advanced into the trachea. The main advantage of this technique is that the ETT tip is visualized as it is advanced, which helps avoid impingement of the ETT. If resistance is noted, the ETT can easily be rotated or withdrawn without causing laryngeal damage, leading to safe and smooth intubation. This novel technique allows advancement of the ETT under continuous indirect vision, thus minimizing contact of the ETT with the laryngeal structures and aiding in unhindered passage into the glottis.

A Comparison of Two Stool Positions for Stabilizing a Dental Chair During CPR.

OBJECTIVE: Most dental chairs lack sufficient stability to perform effective manual chest compression (MCC) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A stabilizing stool can significantly reduce backrest vertical displacement in all chair types; however, a severely curved exterior backrest may negatively impact the stool's effectiveness. This study evaluated the efficacy of 2 stool positions for stabilizing a dental chair during MCC. METHODS: Chest compressions were performed on a manikin positioned in a dental chair while vertical displacement of the chair backrest during MCC was recorded using video and measured. Vertical displacement data were captured with no stool and with a stabilizing stool in 2 different positions. Reduction ratios were calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of the 2 stool positions. RESULTS: With no stool, the backrest median (interquartile range) vertical displacement during chest compressions was 16.5 (2.5) mm as compared with 12.0 (1.5) mm for the stabilizing stool positioned under the area of MCC and 8.5 (1.0) mm under the shoulders. The stool positioned under the shoulders produced a significantly increased calculated reduction ratio of 48% (14%) compared with 27% (20%) under the area of MCC (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Positioning a stabilizing stool under the shoulders was more effective at reducing vertical displacement of the dental chair backrest during chest compressions than positioning the stool under the area of MCC.

A Case of Laryngeal Granulomas After Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery With Prolonged Intubation.

Laryngeal granuloma development can be a postoperative complication of laryngeal trauma or irritation resulting from general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation. These rare benign lesions are located primarily over the cartilaginous portions of the larynx, particularly the vocal processes of the arytenoids. Airway manipulation during the intubation process and prolonged intubation periods can be contributing factors to intubation-related laryngeal granulomas, which may manifest 1 to 4 months after intubation. The patient in this case was a female who returned with complaints of throat pain without hoarseness or sensations of a "lump in her throat" 3 months following surgery, during which she was intubated with a 7.0-mm nasotracheal tube for 30 hours, likely contributing to her bilateral laryngeal granulomas. The patient underwent successful conservative medical management consisting of a proton pump inhibitor and an inhaled corticosteroid.

Prediction of appropriate formula for nasotracheal tube size in developmental disability children.

OBJECTIVES: Developmental disability children have differences in growth. Therefore, tube size selection is important for nasotracheal intubation. In our previous study for healthy children undergoing dental surgery, height was the most suitable factor to predict nasotracheal tube size. The aim of this study was to find the most suitable formula for selection of nasotracheal tube size for them, retrospectively. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Developmental disability children aged 2 to 10 years were included in this study. They were intubated nasotracheally from April 2012 until May 2017. Their actually intubated tube sizes were checked. The predicted tube sizes were calculated according to the formulas by the backgrounds: the diameter of the trachea at the 6th cervical (C6), 7th cervical (C7), and 2nd thoracic vertebrae (T2) in X-ray. The actually intubated tube sizes were compared with predicted sizes. Data were analyzed using Spearman's regression analysis. RESULTS: The tube sizes with 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 mm ID were intubated in 75 patients. The age-based formula was the most suitable; the correlation coefficients (r2) were 0.9027 (vs age), 0.5434 (vs height), 0.3779 (vs weight), 0.0785 (vs C6), 0.2279 (vs C7), and 0.3065 (Th2) (p < 0.01). However, 0.5-mm smaller size tubes were more frequently intubated actually. Their correspondence rate to the predicted size was 48% (5.0 mm), 52% (5.5 mm), and 39% (6.0 mm), respectively. CONCLUSION: The age-based formula could be the most suitable for predicting nasotracheal tube size in developmental disability children aged 2 to 10 years. One smaller size by the age formula was most suitable at first trial tube. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present data indicate that the selection of nasotracheal tube using one smaller size by the age formula (ID = 4 + age [years]/4) might be useful for developmental disability children.

Cleft-lip-plate patient with tracheobronchomalacia: A case report and review of the literature in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is a severe life-threatening perioperative complication. It is a rare condition caused by congenital and developmental anomalies of the trachea and/or the bronchus. It is often difficult to diagnose TBM before surgery as this congenital disease presents very few symptoms preoperatively and most often appears postoperatively. CASE PRESENTATION AND REVIEW: The study describes a case of cleft-lip-plate (CL/P) in a 7-month-old Japanese female with TBM and Tetralogy of Fallot syndrome. Before undergoing cleft-lip surgery, her TBM was not fully elucidated by preoperative examinations, and the operation was completed uneventfully. After the surgery, however, she started showing severe respiratory distress and developed hypoxia and bradycardia in the operating room. CPR was performed successfully, but a bronchoscopy revealed a severely collapsed airway, and the pathological condition was diagnosed as TBM occurred postoperatively. Eight months later, she died of sudden respiratory failure similar to that of the postoperative event caused by TBM. A literature review was conducted on the complications of CL/P from 1990 to 2017 in Japan. CONCLUSIONS: It was hypothesized that CL/P with congenital heart disease (CHD) and TBM with CHD may crossover in relatively high rates. Currently, there are very few solutions available to treat severe airway obstruction related to TBM. This highlights the need for preoperative diagnosis of TBM as an important step in overcoming severe airway complications.

Mask Induction for an Intellectually Disabled Patient With Congenital Infiltrating Lipomatosis of the Face.

Airway management for patients with craniofacial disorders poses many challenges. Congenital infiltrating lipomatosis of the face (CILF) is an extremely rare disorder in which mature lipocytes invade adjacent tissues in the head and neck. The manifestations are typically unilateral, often with associated hypertrophy of both the hard and soft tissues of the face. This is a case report regarding the anesthetic management for a 5-year-old intellectually disabled female with CILF involving the right side of her face who underwent a successful intubated general anesthetic for dental treatment. Awake fiber-optic intubations are recommended and routinely used for patients with suspected or confirmed difficult airways. In this case, substantial distortion of the normal facial anatomy was observed clinically with noted hypertrophy of the right maxilla, mandible, and right side of the tongue. Further complicating matters was the patient's inability to fully cooperate because of her intellectual disability, precluding the option of an awake fiber-optic intubation. To secure the airway following mask induction of anesthesia, spontaneous ventilation was carefully maintained using sevoflurane, nitrous oxide, and oxygen combined with the application of a nasopharyngeal airway. Despite compression of the oral cavity and upper pharyngeal space by the hypertrophic tissues due to CILF, the space in and around the glottis was preserved. Intubation was completed easily with the use of a fiber-optic scope without any serious complications.

Endotracheal Tube Migration Associated With Extension During Tracheotomy.

Tracheotomy is occasionally performed to prevent postoperative airway obstruction especially for invasive surgical procedures involving head and neck cancer. When performed under general anesthesia, attention must be paid to avoid rupture of the tracheal tube cuff during the incision into the trachea. In this study, changes in the position of the endotracheal tube tip during extension of the head and neck for a tracheotomy were investigated. Twelve patients underwent placement of a tracheotomy during surgical procedures for oral cancer. After nasal intubation, the distance between the tube tip and the carina was measuring using a fiberoptic scope with the patient's head placed at an angle of 110°. Patients were repositioned for tracheotomy by placing a pillow under the shoulders and extending the head and neck at an angle of 140°. The distance measurements were subsequently repeated. The difference between the first and second measurements was calculated and analyzed statistically using a paired t test. On average the patients were 69.5 ± 9.0 years in age. The distance between the tube tip and the carina at an angle of 140° (3.6 ± 1.1 cm) was significantly longer than that at an angle of 110° (1.7 ± 1.0 cm) (p < 0.001). The migration in the positioning of the endotracheal tube tip was 1.9 ± 0.7 cm (range: 0.7-3.7 cm) upon extension. In 3 cases, the tube cuff was ruptured during incision of the trachea. The endotracheal tube tip may migrate in the cephalad direction approximately 2 cm as a result of the extension of the patient's head and neck during a tracheotomy. Therefore, consideration should be given to advancing the endotracheal tube tip towards the caudal side and to confirming the position of the tube and cuff during a tracheotomy.

Pneumonia due to aspiration of povidine iodine after preoperative disinfection of the oral cavity.

INTRODUCTION: Povidone-iodine (PI) is thought to be an effective disinfectant and safe for many surgeons. Aspiration pneumonia is usually caused by gastric contents, but if PI solution will be aspirated, pneumonia or other complications may occur. CASE REPORT: We present a case of pneumonia to aspiration of PI solution in a 91-year-old man patient who underwent oral-maxillofacial surgery. When surgeons used PI solution for disinfection into the oral cavity, the solution seems to be sinking gradually. The patient showed severe respiratory distress and developed hypoxia. There were much frothy fluids into a tracheal tube. We suctioned through the endotracheal tube and performed bronchoscopy, that revealed a redness which appeared associated to a chemical injury on the left trachea and bronchus. His condition was complicated by ARDS and DIC. Periodical bronchial suction and guideline-based treatments of ARDS were carried in ICU. He recovered without severe complication. CONCLUSION: Although PI solution for an oral disinfection is used routinely, all operators need to be aware of the risk for PI aspiration.

Comparison of the Performance of Mask Ventilation Between Face Masks With and Without Air Cushion.

PURPOSE: Mask ventilation is a basic technique for induction of anesthesia. In head and neck surgery, we have encountered difficulty in ventilation owing to facial deformities. Recently, a new type of face mask without an air cushion, the QuadraLite face mask (Intersurgical, Berkshire, UK), was developed. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of cases with predicted difficult mask ventilation between the new type of face mask and a traditional face mask. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a crossover prospective study. The participants were patients (aged > 18 years) who underwent oral-maxillofacial surgery under general anesthesia. The risk factors for a difficult airway were assessed. Patients were divided into 3 risk groups: low risk, 0 or 1 risk factor for predicted difficult mask ventilation; medium risk, 2 or 3 risk factors; and high risk, 4 or more risk factors. An air cushion face mask (Koo Medical, Shanghai, China) and the QuadraLite face mask were applied in turn under the setting of pressure-controlled ventilation. The expiratory tidal volumes were compared between these face masks. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients were included: 16 in the low-risk group, 16 in the medium-risk group, and 16 in the high-risk group. Higher expiratory tidal volumes were observed with the QuadraLite face mask than with the air cushion face mask, although the differences did not reach the statistically significant level: 574.3 ± 62.7 mL versus 553.1 ± 60.6 mL in the low-risk group (P = .44), 553.1 ± 112.9 mL versus 536.4 ± 114.2 mL in the medium-risk group (P = .38), and 560.0 ± 98.6 mL versus 548.2 ± 07.1 mL in the high-risk group (P = .22). In all cases, a sufficient ventilation volume was obtained by the QuadraLite face mask. CONCLUSIONS: The QuadraLite face mask is compact because there is no air cushion, and it can provide sufficient mask ventilation as well as a traditional face mask with an air cushion even in patients with a difficult airway.

Usefulness of a stool to stabilize dental chairs for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) requires immediate start of manual chest compression (MCC) and defibrillation as soon as possible. During dental surgery, CPR could be started in the dental chair considering difficulty to move the patient from the dental chair to the floor. However, all types of dental chairs are not stable for MCC. We previously developed a procedure to stabilize a dental chair by using a stool. EUROPEAN RESUSCITATION COUNCIL (ERC) guideline 2015 adopted our procedure when cardiac arrest during dental surgery. The objective of this study was to verify the efficacy of a stool as a stabilizer in different types of dental chairs. METHODS: Three health care providers participated in this study, and 8 kinds of dental chairs were examined. MCC were performed on a manikin that was laid on the backrest of a dental chair. A stool was placed under the backrest to stabilize the dental chair. The vertical displacement of the backrest by MCC was recorded by a camcorder and measured by millimeter. Next, the vertical displacement of the backrest by MCC were compared between with and without a stool. RESULTS: In all 8 dental chairs, the method by using a stool significantly reduced the vertical displacements of the backrest by during MCC. The reduction ratio (mean [interquartile range]) varied between nearly 27 [20] and 87 [5] %. In the largest stabilization case, the displacement was 3.5 [0.5] mm with a stool versus 26 [5.5] mm without a stool (p <  0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our procedure to stabilize dental chairs by using a stool reduced the displacement of a backrest against MCC in all chairs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Effective MCC could be performed in dental chairs by using a stool when sudden cardiac arrest occurs during dental surgery.

Awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation for patients with difficult airway.

Awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation is a useful technique, especially in patients with airway obstruction. It must not only provide sufficient anesthesia, but also maintain spontaneous breathing. We introduce a method to achieve this using a small dose of fentanyl and midazolam in combination with topical anesthesia. The cases of 2 patients (1 male, 1 female) who underwent oral maxillofacial surgery are reported. They received 50 µg of fentanyl 2-3 times (total 2.2-2.3 µg/kg) at intervals of approximately 2 min. Oxygen was administered via a mask at 6 L/min, and 0.5 mg of midazolam was administered 1-4 times (total 0.02-0.05 mg/kg) at intervals of approximately 2 min. A tracheal tube was inserted through the nasal cavity after topical anesthesia was applied to the epiglottis, vocal cords, and into the trachea through the fiberscope channel. All patients were successfully intubated. This is a useful and safe method for awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation.

Postoperative Alopecia Following Oral Surgery.

Postoperative alopecia is an uncommon complication and its outcome is an esthetically drastic change. Although its mechanism has not been clearly reported, risk factors might be positioning and prolonged operative time during oral surgeries. In addition, perioperative stressful conditions might influence the biological clock of the hair cycle. This report presents 2 cases of postoperative alopecia after oral surgery. Prevention of alopecia with type of headrest, change in head positioning, and avoidance of continuous compression is important.

Changes in nasotracheal tube depth in response to head and neck movement in children.

BACKGROUND: A tracheal tube is often inserted via the nasal cavity for dental surgery. The position of the tube tip is important, given that the head position sometimes changes during surgery. Head movement induces changes in the length of the trachea (t-length) and/or the distance between the nare and the vocal cords (n-v-distance). In this study, we investigated the changes in t-length and n-v-distance in children undergoing nasotracheal intubation. METHODS: Eighty patients aged 2-8 year undergoing dental surgery were enrolled. After nasotracheal intubation with an uncuffed nasotracheal tube (4.5-6.0 mm), the tube was fixed at the patient's nares. The distance between the tube tip and the first carina was measured using a fibrescope with the angle between the Frankfort plane and horizontal plane set at 110°. The location of the tube in relation to the vocal cords was then checked. These measurements were repeated at angles of 80° (flexion) and 130° (extension). The t-length and n-v-distance were then calculated using these measurements. RESULTS: On flexion, the t-length shortened significantly from 87.5 ± 10.4 mm to 82.9 ± 10.7 mm (P = 0.017) and the n-v-distance decreased from 128.1 ± 10.7 mm to 125.6 ± 10.4 mm (P = 0.294). On extension, the t-length increased significantly from 87.5 ± 10.4 mm to 92.7 ± 10.1 mm (P = 0.007) and the n-v-distance increased from 128.1 ± 10.7 mm to 129.4 ± 10.7 mm (P = 0.729). The change in t-length was significantly greater than that in the n-v-distance. CONCLUSION: A change in the position of the tracheal tube tip in the trachea depends mainly on changes in t-length during paediatric dental surgery.

Influence of Fasting Duration on Body Fluid and Hemodynamics.

Fasting before general anesthesia aims to reduce the volume and acidity of stomach contents, which reduces the risk of regurgitation and aspiration. Prolonged fasting for many hours prior to surgery could lead to unstable hemodynamics, however. Therefore, preoperative oral intake of clear fluids 2 hours prior to surgery is recommended to decrease dehydration without an increase in aspiration risk. In this study, we investigated the body fluid composition and hemodynamics of patients undergoing general anesthesia as the first case of the day versus the second subsequent case. We retrospectively reviewed the general anesthesia records of patients over 20 years old who underwent oral maxillofacial surgery. We investigated patient demographics, preoperative fasting time, anesthetic time, urine output, infusion volume, and opioid and vasopressor use. With respect to body fluid and hemodynamics, we extracted the data from the induction of anesthesia through 2 hours of anesthesia time. Thirty patients were suitable for this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: patients who underwent surgery as the first case of the day (am group: n = 15) and patients who underwent surgery as the second case (pm group: n = 15). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in patient demographics. In the pm group, fasting time for a light meal (832 minutes) was significantly longer than for the am group (685 minutes), p = .005. In the pm group, fasting time for clear fluids (216 minutes) was also significantly longer than for the am group (194 minutes), p = .005. Body fluid composition was not significantly different between the 2 groups. In addition, cardiac parameters intraoperatively were stable. In the pm group, vasopressors were used in 4 patients at the induction of anesthesia (p = .01). There were not statistically significant changes in cardiac function or body fluid composition between patients treated as the first case of the day vs patients who underwent surgery with general anesthesia as the second case of the day.

The Anesthetic Management for a Patient With Trisomy 13.

Trisomy 13 is a chromosomal disorder that occurs in complete or partial mosaic forms. It is characterized by central apnea, mental retardation, seizure and congenital heart disease. The survival of the patients with trisomy 13 is the majority dying before one month. Trisomy 13 is the worst life prognosis among all trisomy syndromes. It is reported the cause of death is central apnea. Special needs patients with mental retardation are recognized to have poorer oral health condition. Oral health related quality of life reflects daily activity and well-being. Dental treatment under general anesthesia is sometimes an option for such patients. This patient had received ventricular septal defect closure surgery at 2-year-old. In addition, he had mental retardation and seizure. Dental treatment had been completed without any cerebral and cardiovascular events under non-invasive monitoring with not only cardiac electric velocimetry, but also epileptogenic activity. In addition, postoperative respiratory condition was maintained stable in room air.

Flexible laryngeal mask airway management for dental treatment cases associated with difficult intubation.

Nasotracheal intubation is generally a useful maxillofacial surgery that provides good surgical access for intraoral procedures. When nasotracheal intubation is difficult, laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion can be performed, and the flexible LMA™ (FLMA) is also useful for anesthetic management. However, the FLMA provides limited access to the mouth, which restricts the insertion of instrumentation and confines the surgical field available. Here, we present our experience using the FLMA airway management for dental treatment cases involving difficulty with intubation.

Low-dose carperitide (α-human A-type natriuretic peptide) alleviates hemoglobin concentration decrease during prolonged oral surgery: a randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: Surgical injury stimulates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and causes antidiuresis, leading to postoperative oliguria. Carperitide (α-human A-type natriuretic peptide) is a cardiac peptide hormone secreted from the atrium. This peptide hormone enhances diuresis by suppressing the RAAS. In our experience, carperitide alleviates decreased hemoglobin (Hb) concentration during elective surgery. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between low-dose carperitide (0.01 µg/kg/min) and Hb concentration during oral surgery. METHODS: Patients (ASA-PS: I-II, 40-80 years old) undergoing oral maxillofacial surgery (duration of operation >8 h) were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: the carperitide group received carperitide at 0.01 µg/kg/min and the control group received normal saline. Body fluid water [including total body water (TBW), extracellular water (ECW), and intracellular water (ICW)], urine volume, and chemical parameters such as Hb concentration, PaO2, and serum electrolytes were evaluated every 2 h. RESULTS: In the carperitide group (n = 15), Hb decreased from 12.6 ± 1.1 to 10.8 ± 1.5 g/dl, while it decreased from 12.6 ± 1.4 to 9.5 ± 1.3 g/dl in the control group (n = 15) (p < 0.05). Urine volume (2557.3 ± 983.5 mL) in the carperitide group was significantly more than it was in the control group (1108.8 ± 586.4 mL; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics, body fluid water, PaO2, and serum electrolytes between the two groups. In addition, there were no perioperative clinical respiratory and hemodynamic complications in the groups. CONCLUSION: The Hb concentration in the group administered low-dose carperitide at 0.01 µg/kg/min remained higher than that in the control group during surgery. Administration of low-dose carperitide may therefore reduce the risk of blood transfusion during surgery.