Degree of obesity is not associated with more than one intubation attempt: a large centre experience.

BACKGROUND: The role of obesity as a risk factor for difficult intubation remains controversial. We primarily assessed the association between body mass index (BMI) and difficult tracheal intubation. METHODS: We analysed electronic records of more than 67 000 adults having elective non-cardiac surgery requiring tracheal intubation at the Cleveland Clinic between 2011 and 2015. The association between BMI and difficult intubation, defined as more than one intubation attempt, was assessed using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for pre-specified confounders. RESULTS: Amongst 40 183 patients with BMI <30 kg m-2 and 27 519 with BMI ≥30 kg m-2, 9% required more than one intubation attempt. Increasing BMI up to 30 kg m-2 was significantly associated with increased odds of more than one intubation attempt [odds ratio (OR): 1.03; 97.5% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.04] per unit increase in BMI, P < 0.001. However, the odds of difficult intubation remained unchanged once BMI exceeded 30 kg m-2 (P = 0.08). The results were similar when analysis was restricted to patients without history of airway abnormalities in whom intubation was attempted using a standard direct laryngoscope (OR: 1.03; 99.4% CI: 1.01, 1.04) per kg m-2 increase in BMI <30 kg m-2). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing BMI was associated with increasing odds of difficult intubation in the lean range. At higher BMI, the odds of difficult intubation remain elevated, but there is no additional increase in odds with further increase in BMI. Obese patients were thus harder to intubate than lean ones, but difficult intubation was no more likely in morbidly obese patients than in those who were only slightly obese.

Successful emergent reintubation using the Aintree intubation catheter and a laryngeal mask airway.

Tracheal extubation can be potentially catastrophic, especially in patients with difficult airways. This article describes a case where planned extubation in a patient with a large tongue lesion led to complete airway obstruction and subsequent cardiac arrest. Reintubation was facilitated using a laryngeal mask airway and an Aintree intubation catheter.

An introduction to digital cameras.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: People in all walks of life are using digital cameras instead of the traditional film cameras. Reasons include simplicity of use, ease of development, ability to incorporate the pictures into documents, potential to edit the pictures easily, and capability to send them by e-mail. This article will briefly discuss digital cameras, how they work, what they can do, and what you should look for in one. Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series of articles demonstrating and describing information technology. The articles include nontechnical information and are geared toward the computer novice with interest in regional anesthesia and pain medicine.

Medical resources for the anesthesiologist on the Internet.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Internet may be the most powerful information tool currently available to medical professionals. The first article in this Internet series (Reg Anesth Pain Med 1999;24:369-374) served as an introduction to the World Wide Web, while this article describes specific resources available to anesthesiologists searching for medical information. EDITOR'S NOTE: This series of articles on information technology describes a number of resources. Inclusion in this article does not imply endorsement or support by the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA-PM). Each reader is encouraged to personally evaluate specific websites because of the rapidly changing content and location of information on the Internet. This article is available on the ASRA-PM website (www.ASRA.com) with updated links to websites in this article.

A survey of exposure to regional anesthesia techniques in American anesthesia residency training programs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The American Board of Anesthesiologists and the Residency Review Committee for Anesthesiology do not keep records regarding the individual resident's cumulative exposure to specific peripheral nerve block techniques. Further, little is known about individual trainee confidence in performing regional anesthetic blocks. To improve training and anesthesia practice, such information is necessary. In this nationwide survey, we assessed residents' perceived cumulative regional anesthesia experience and their confidence level. METHODS: A survey was distributed to 42 U.S. residency programs in 22 states. Information collected included the resident's clinical anesthesia (CA) training level, estimated number of regional anesthetics performed, and the resident's confidence level in performing these techniques. Confidence was graded on a 3-point scale, as being very confident (1.0), somewhat confident (2.0), or not confident (3.0). We analyzed the estimated cumulative number and type of blocks performed in relation to training level and confidence level; differences were considered significant when P< .001. RESULTS: The response rate was 67.2% (736/1,096); 32% (n = 232) of responders were CA-3 residents. At all training levels, the number of blocks performed varied widely according to type of block, with spinal and epidural blocks being performed most often at all training levels and sciatic, retrobulbar, and femoral blocks being performed least (median = 0 each for CA-1, CA-2, and CA-3 residents). Confidence was high with frequently performed blocks (spinal and lumbar epidural) and low for those performed less than 10 times per resident. The CA-3 residents reported a cumulative experience with a median (interquartile range) of 100 (50-100) spinal anesthetics and 150 (100-200) lumbar epidural blocks with all residents being very confident. The CA-3 residents completed a median of 20 (10-30) axillary blocks but a median of less than 10 for each of these techniques: intravenous regional anesthesia, ankle, interscalene, femoral, sciatic, and retrobulbar. For interscalene block, 51% of CA-3 residents were not confident; for femoral, 62%; for sciatic, 75%; and for retrobulbar block, 91%, were not confident. CONCLUSIONS: Most CA-3 residents are confident in performing lumbar epidural and spinal anesthesia. However, many are not confident in performing the blocks with which they have the least exposure. Changes need to be made in the training processes so that residents can graduate with enough confidence to continue selecting less familiar blocks in postgraduate practice.