RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Various models were devised for prediction of difficult intubation but have low positive predictive value, sensitivity and specificity. We aimed to predict difficult intubation from various airway predictive indices, in isolation and combination, and to formulate a multivariate model that can aid in accurate prediction of difficult intubation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective double blinded study was conducted on 500 adult patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia. Preoperatively, they were assessed for airway screening tests. After standardized induction of anaesthesia, laryngoscopic view was classified according to the Modified Cormack and Lehane (MCL) classification. Variables' association with intubation findings was evaluated using Chi-square statistic. Stepwise logistic regression identified the multivariate independent predictors of difficult intubation and combinations were made using forward selection process. 8 models were formulated and a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve worked out for them. Sensitivity and specificity analysis validated the final model. RESULTS: Age, sex, weight, BMI, snoring, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), diabetes, hypertension, upper lip bite test (ULBT), Mallampati grade (MPS), thyromental distance (TMD), sternomental distance (SMD), neck movements (NM), neck circumference (NC) and inter-incisor gap (IIG) had significant correlation with difficult intubation. Based upon sensitivity and specificity analysis, model comprising of MPS, NM, NC and SMD was found to be most accurate. It had highest sensitivity 80%, specificity 87% and area under curve 0.90, thus validating the model. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that a combination of MPS, SMD, NM and NC permits reliable, accurate and quick preoperative prediction of difficult intubation.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Femoral nerve block (FNB) and intra-articular analgesia (IAA) are used for postoperative analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the better technique among the two, with regard to duration and quality of postoperative analgesia along with 24-h rescue analgesic consumption. The functional recovery in the early postoperative period was also assessed. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective double-blind study comprising 40 American Society of Anesthesiologists I-III patients undergoing elective TKA who were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 20). METHODOLOGY: In Group A, 20 mL ropivacaine 0.5%, containing dexmedetomidine (1 µg.kg - 1), was given by FNB, and in Group B, intra-articular administration of the same drug was done. Analgesic effect was evaluated by measuring the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and duration of analgesia. Quadriceps muscle strength was noted. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Observation data obtained were reported as mean value and analyzed using Student's t-test or Wilcoxon/Mann-Whitney rank test. RESULTS: The mean VAS on passive movement at the 2nd, 6th, and 16th h postoperatively was 1.75 ± 0.44, 2.90 ± 0.72, and 2.75 ± 0.44 in Group A as compared to 2.25 ± 0.72, 4.30 ± 2.05, and 2.20 ± 0.77 in Group B (P = 0.026, 0.043, and 0.014, respectively). In Group A, the first request for analgesic (rescue analgesic) was at 637 ± 119 min and the total consumption of tramadol was 50.00 mg. In Group B, the first request for analgesic was at 404.44 ± 136 min, with a total dose of 63.89 mg. The Pvalue for the time of rescue analgesic was <0.001, while for total drug consumption, it was 0.018. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the duration and quality of analgesia (VAS) were significantly superior and rescue analgesic requirement less in patients who received FNB as compared to IAA.