Association between Colonoscopy Sedation Type and Polyp Detection: A Registry-based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death. Adenomas and serrated polyps are precursors of colorectal cancer, with serrated polyps being more difficult to detect during colonoscopy. The relationship between propofol use and polyp detection remains unclear. The authors investigated the association of propofol-based versus mild-moderate sedation on adenoma and serrated polyp detection during colonoscopy. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used observational data from the New Hampshire Colonoscopy Registry. Patients aged greater than 50 yr with screening or surveillance colonoscopies between January 1, 2015, and February 28, 2020, were included. Exclusions were diagnostic examinations, no sedation, missing pathology data, and poor bowel preparation. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate differences in polyp detection between propofol and moderate sedation in the full sample while adjusting for covariates. Propensity score adjustment and clustering at the endoscopist level were used in a restricted sample analysis that included endoscopists and facilities with between 5% and 95% propofol sedation use. RESULTS: A total of 54,063 colonoscopies were analyzed in the full sample and 18,998 in the restricted sample. Serrated polyp prevalence was significantly higher using propofol (9,957 of 29,312; 34.0% [95% CI, 33.4 to 34.5%]) versus moderate sedation (6,066 of 24,751; 24.5% [95% CI, 24.0 to 25.1%]) in the full sample and restricted samples (1,410 of 4,661; 30.3% [95% CI, 28.9 to 31.6%] vs. 3,690 of 14,337; 25.7% [95% CI, 25.0 to 26.5%]). In the full sample multivariate logistic regression, propofol was associated with higher neoplasm (adjusted odds ratio, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.21 to 1.29]), adenoma (odds ratio, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.03 to 1.11]), and serrated polyp detection (odds ratio, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.46 to 1.57]). In the restricted sample using inverse probability of treatment weighted propensity score adjustment and clustering at the endoscopist level, an attenuated but statistically significant effect size was observed for serrated polyps (odds ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.07 to 1.19]), but not for adenomas (odds ratio, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.95 to 1.05]) or any neoplastic lesion (odds ratio, 1.03 [95% CI, 0.98 to 1.08]). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol sedation during colonoscopy may be associated with improved detection of serrated polyps, but not adenomas.

Advantages of the New Tao Mask for Bag Mask Ventilation: a randomized crossover trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Manual bag mask ventilation is a life saving skill. An investigation was made to compare two different facemasks used in bag mask ventilation, the standard and the novel Tao face mask, and evaluate the ability of novices to achieve adequate tidal volume. METHODS: The study design was a crossover trial, which randomized forty medical students with no previous airway experience to learn bag mask ventilation with the standard mask and the Tao face mask. Primary outcome measures were mean and median tidal volume per mask, and secondary measures were hand area, age, gender, and order of mask usage. RESULTS: Medical students who used the Tao mask first achieved significantly more tidal volume than those who used the standard mask first (p = 0.002). However, when comparing face masks that were used second, the tidal volume did not differ significantly between the two masks (p = 1.000). Greater tidal volume was achieved on the second attempt relative to the first attempt with each mask. There was significantly more tidal volume achieved with greater hand size with the standard mask, whether it was used first or second (p < 0.001 and p = 0.012 respectively). Greater hand size was associated with greater tidal volume in the Tao mask also, but only when used first (p < 0.001). When first attempting bag mask ventilation, inexperienced students achieved greater tidal volume with the Tao Mask. The results also suggest that hand size matters less when using the Tao Mask. CONCLUSION: When first attempting bag mask ventilation inexperienced students achieved greater tidal volume with the Tao Mask. The results also suggest that hand size matters less when using the Tao mask.

Management of a Patient With a History of Nonanesthesia-Related Malignant Hyperthermia Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Case Report.

A 36-year-old African American with a medical history of nonanesthesia-related malignant hyperthermia (MH) who was taking chronic oral dantrolene therapy presented with right upper quadrant pain for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A multidisciplinary perioperative plan was implemented with the goal of avoiding triggering an MH episode or rhabdomyolysis. He developed a postoperative left brachial vein thrombus of unclear etiology, possibly related to dantrolene administration or his underlying susceptibility to MH.

Safety and Effectiveness of a Novel Facemask for Positive Pressure Ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Manual positive pressure ventilation is an essential skill in a variety of clinical situations. The C&E technique is commonly used with standard facemasks to provide effective ventilation. The Tao mask is a novel design that allows a more ergonomic grip. A seal between the mask and face is made with downward pressure of the palm, centered on the mask, and jaw lift is achieved with 4 fingers centered under the mandible. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Tao mask compared to a standard mask before and after the administration of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) using 2 previously established ventilation scales. METHODS: One hundred fifty-two patients >18 years of age who were scheduled for general anesthesia were recruited. All care team members were shown a brief instructional video on the use of the Tao mask. After induction of general anesthesia with a standardized protocol, each patient was ventilated with both the standard (Vital Signs #082510) and Tao masks and effectiveness was measured using the Han and Warters scales. This process was repeated after NMB. The sequence of masks was determined with a random-number generator. RESULTS: Tao mask ventilation scores were significantly better than standard mask scores on both the Han scale and the Warters scale before the administration of NMB (P < .001 for both). Tao mask scores were also significantly better than standard mask scores on the Warters scale after the administration of NMB (P < .001). However, there was no significant difference on the Han scale between the 2 mask types after NMB (P = .180). On the Warters scale, there were significantly fewer patients who were difficult to ventilate with the Tao mask than the standard mask before NMB (18 vs 40; P < .001) and after NMB (8 vs 17; P = .005). No adverse events were reported with either mask. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the Tao mask demonstrated equivalent safety and superior effectiveness compared to a standard mask. The study design favored the standard mask because all participating practitioners had multiple years of experience with the standard mask and no prior experience with the Tao mask. Since the incidence of inadequate mask ventilation goes up significantly with inexperienced operators, the improved effectiveness of the Tao mask could be even more profound with novice operators.

The accuracy of electrocardiogram-controlled central line placement.

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiogram (ECG) guidance to confirm accurate positioning of central venous catheters (CVC), placed before surgery in the operating room, is rarely used in the United States. We designed this randomized, controlled trial to investigate whether the use of this technique impacts the accuracy of CVC placement. METHODS: Patients in group ECG (n = 147) had a CVC placed using right-atrial ECG to guide catheter tip positioning. CVCs in group NO-ECG (n = 143) were positioned without this technique. RESULTS: Overall, guidewire-ECG control resulted in more correctly positioned CVCs (96% vs 76%, P < or = 0.001) without increasing placement time. Significantly more CVCs were placed in the middle of the superior vena cava in group ECG (P < or = 0.001), although placement into the right atrium or right ventricle and into other vessels occurred significantly more often in group NO-ECG (P < or = 0.001). Twenty patients in group NO-ECG required repositioning of their CVC after surgery, whereas this maneuver was necessary only in three patients in group ECG (P < or = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ECG guidance allows for more accurate CVC placement, and should be considered to increase patient safety and reduce costs associated with repositioning procedures.

Nasal versus oral fiberoptic intubation via a cuffed oropharyngeal airway (COPA) during spontaneous ventilation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the success rate of nasal versus oral fiberoptic intubation in anesthetized patients breathing spontaneously via the cuffed oropharyngeal airway (COPAtrade mark). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Two university-affiliated hospitals. PATIENTS: Patients scheduled for general or plastic surgery of the torso or extremities. INTERVENTIONS: Nasal (n=20) and oral (n=20) fiberoptic intubation were performed in patients while breathing spontaneously via the COPA during standardized anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic data, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), oxygen saturation (SpO2), COPA size, difficult airway predictors, rate of failed ventilation via COPA, and frequency of hypoxemia (SpO2 < 90%) during the procedure, and perioperative untoward events were recorded. MAIN RESULTS: The background, airway difficulty, vital signs and untoward effects were similar in the two groups. Nasal fiberoptic laryngeal view (scale 1-4) was better than the oral grading (3 [median] vs. 2, respectively; p <0.05). Eighty percent of the nasal intubations were successful compared with 40% of the oral intubations (p <0.05). Nasal intubations were accomplished within 153 +/- 15 SD seconds compared with 236 +/- 22 seconds (p <0.05) for the oral intubations, and less propofol was needed in the nasal intubations during the procedures (240 +/- 27 mg [nasal] vs. 277+/- 39 mg [oral]; p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy is more successful and easy than the oral approach in anesthetized patients who are breathing spontaneously through the COPA.

Anaesthesia for magnetoencephalography in children with intractable seizures.

BACKGROUND: Magnetoencephalography (MEG), a noninvasive technique for evaluation of epileptic patients, records magnetic fields during neuronal electrical activity within the brain. Anaesthesia experience for MEG has not yet been reported. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of 48 paediatric patients undergoing MEG under anaesthesia. Thirty-one patients (nonprotocol group) were managed according to the anaesthesiologist's discretion. Premedication included oral midazolam, chloral hydrate or fentanyl oralet, intravenous midazolam or inhalational anaesthesia with sevoflurane. Anaesthesia was maintained with propofol, midazolam, fentanyl, alone or in combination. A subsequent protocol group (17 patients) received chloral hydrate as premedication and propofol for maintenance of anaesthesia. RESULTS: There was an overall 25% failure of interictal activity and localization on the MEG scan. In the nonprotocol group, 11 scans failed (35.5%). Of these, eight (72.7%) received midazolam orally. Only one failure (5.8%) was recorded in the protocol group in a patient who received chloral hydrate as sedation supplemented by sevoflurane. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, midazolam premedication resulted in a high MEG failure rate (73%). Chloral hydrate premedication and propofol maintenance resulted in a lower incidence of MEG failure (5.8%). General anaesthesia with a continuous infusion of propofol or sevoflurane appears acceptable, although, lighter levels of anaesthesia might be required to avoid interference with interictal activity of the brain.