Republication: All India Difficult Airway Association 2016 Guidelines for Tracheal Intubation in the Intensive Care Unit.

Tracheal intubation (TI) is a routine procedure in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is often lifesaving. In contrast to the controlled conditions in the operating room, critically ill patients with respiratory failure and shock are physiologically unstable. These factors, along with under evaluation of the airway and suboptimal response to preoxygenation, are responsible for a high incidence of life-threatening complications such as severe hypoxemia and cardiovascular collapse during TI in the ICU. The All India Difficult Airway Association (AIDAA) proposes a stepwise plan for safe management of the airway in critically ill patients. These guidelines have been developed based on available evidence; Wherever, robust evidence was lacking, recommendations were arrived at by consensus opinion of airway experts, incorporating the responses to a questionnaire sent to members of the (AIDAA) and Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation for preoxygenation provides adequate oxygen stores during TI for patients with respiratory pathology. Nasal insufflation of oxygen at 15 L/min can increase the duration of apnea before hypoxemia sets in. High flow nasal cannula oxygenation at 60-70 L/min may also increase safety during intubation of critically ill patients. Stable hemodynamics and gas exchange must be maintained during rapid sequence induction. It is necessary to implement an intubation protocol during routine airway management in the ICU. Adherence to a plan for difficult airway management incorporating the use of intubation aids and airway rescue devices and strategies is useful.

All India Difficult Airway Association 2016 guidelines for the management of unanticipated difficult tracheal intubation in adults.

The All India Difficult Airway Association (AIDAA) guidelines for management of the unanticipated difficult airway in adults provide a structured, stepwise approach to manage unanticipated difficulty during tracheal intubation in adults. They have been developed based on the available evidence; wherever robust evidence was lacking, or to suit the needs and situation in India, recommendations were arrived at by consensus opinion of airway experts, incorporating the responses to a questionnaire sent to members of the AIDAA and the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists. We recommend optimum pre-oxygenation and nasal insufflation of 15 L/min oxygen during apnoea in all patients, and calling for help if the initial attempt at intubation is unsuccessful. Transnasal humidified rapid insufflations of oxygen at 70 L/min (transnasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange) should be used when available. We recommend no more than three attempts at tracheal intubation and two attempts at supraglottic airway device (SAD) insertion if intubation fails, provided oxygen saturation remains ≥ 95%. Intubation should be confirmed by capnography. Blind tracheal intubation through the SAD is not recommended. If SAD insertion fails, one final attempt at mask ventilation should be tried after ensuring neuromuscular blockade using the optimal technique for mask ventilation. Failure to intubate the trachea as well as an inability to ventilate the lungs by face mask and SAD constitutes 'complete ventilation failure', and emergency cricothyroidotomy should be performed. Patient counselling, documentation and standard reporting of the airway difficulty using a 'difficult airway alert form' must be done. In addition, the AIDAA provides suggestions for the contents of a difficult airway cart.

All India Difficult Airway Association 2016 guidelines for the management of unanticipated difficult tracheal intubation in obstetrics.

The various physiological changes in pregnancy make the parturient vulnerable for early and rapid desaturation. Severe hypoxaemia during intubation can potentially compromise two lives (mother and foetus). Thus tracheal intubation in the pregnant patient poses unique challenges, and necessitates meticulous planning, ready availability of equipment and expertise to ensure maternal and foetal safety. The All India Difficult Airway Association (AIDAA) proposes a stepwise plan for the safe management of the airway in obstetric patients. These guidelines have been developed based on available evidence; wherever robust evidence was lacking, recommendations were arrived at by consensus opinion of airway experts, incorporating the responses to a questionnaire sent to members of the AIDAA and the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA). Modified rapid sequence induction using gentle intermittent positive pressure ventilation with pressure limited to ≤20 cm H2O is acceptable. Partial or complete release of cricoid pressure is recommended when face mask ventilation, placement of supraglottic airway device (SAD) or tracheal intubation prove difficult. One should call for early expert assistance. Maternal SpO2 should be maintained ≥95%. Apnoeic oxygenation with nasal insufflation of 15 L/min oxygen during apnoea should be performed in all patients. If tracheal intubation fails, a second- generation SAD should be inserted. The decision to continue anaesthesia and surgery via the SAD, or perform fibreoptic-guided intubation via the SAD or wake up the patient depends on the urgency of surgery, foeto-maternal status and availability of resources and expertise. Emergency cricothyroidotomy must be performed if complete ventilation failure occurs.

All India Difficult Airway Association 2016 guidelines for the management of unanticipated difficult tracheal intubation in Paediatrics.

The All India Difficult Airway Association guidelines for the management of the unanticipated difficult tracheal intubation in paediatrics are developed to provide a structured, stepwise approach to manage unanticipated difficulty during tracheal intubation in children between 1 and 12 years of age. The incidence of unanticipated difficult airway in normal children is relatively rare. The recommendations for the management of difficult airway in children are mostly derived from extrapolation of adult data because of non-availability of proven evidence on the management of difficult airway in children. Children have a narrow margin of safety and mismanagement of the difficult airway can lead to disastrous consequences. In our country, a systematic approach to airway management in children is lacking, thus having a guideline would be beneficial. This is a sincere effort to protocolise airway management in children, using the best available evidence and consensus opinion put together to make airway management for children as safe as possible in our country.

All India Difficult Airway Association 2016 guidelines for the management of anticipated difficult extubation.

Extubation has an important role in optimal patient recovery in the perioperative period. The All India Difficult Airway Association (AIDAA) reiterates that extubation is as important as intubation and requires proper planning. AIDAA has formulated an algorithm based on the current evidence, member survey and expert opinion to incorporate all patients of difficult extubation for a successful extubation. The algorithm is not designed for a routine extubation in a normal airway without any associated comorbidity. Extubation remains an elective procedure, and hence, patient assessment including concerns related to airway needs to be done and an extubation strategy must be planned before extubation. Extubation planning would broadly be dependent on preventing reflex responses (haemodynamic and cardiovascular), presence of difficult airway at initial airway management, delayed recovery after the surgical intervention or airway difficulty due to pre-existing diseases. At times, maintaining a patent airway may become difficult either due to direct handling during initial airway management or due to surgical intervention. This also mandates a careful planning before extubation to avoid extubation failure. Certain long-standing diseases such as goitre or presence of obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea may have increased chances of airway collapse. These patients require planned extubation strategies for extubation. This would avoid airway collapse leading to airway obstruction and its sequelae. AIDAA suggests that the extubation plan would be based on assessment of the airway. Patients requiring suppression of haemodynamic responses would require awake extubation with pharmacological attenuation or extubation under deep anaesthesia using supraglottic devices as bridge. Patients with difficult airway (before surgery or after surgical intervention) or delayed recovery or difficulty due to pre-existing diseases would require step-wise approach. Oxygen supplementation should continue throughout the extubation procedure. A systematic approach as briefed in the algorithm needs to be complemented with good clinical judgement for an uneventful extubation.

The All India Difficult Airway Association 2016 guidelines for tracheal intubation in the Intensive Care Unit.

Tracheal intubation (TI) is a routine procedure in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is often life-saving. In contrast to the controlled conditions in the operating room, critically ill patients with respiratory failure and shock are physiologically unstable. These factors, along with a suboptimal evaluation of the airway and limited oxygen reserves despite adequate pre-oxygenation, are responsible for a high incidence of life-threatening complications such as severe hypoxaemia and cardiovascular collapse during TI in the ICU. The All India Difficult Airway Association (AIDAA) proposes a stepwise plan for safe management of the airway in critically ill patients. These guidelines have been developed based on available evidence; wherever robust evidence was lacking, recommendations were arrived at by consensus opinion of airway experts, incorporating the responses to a questionnaire sent to members of the AIDAA and the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation during pre-oxygenation improves oxygen stores in patients with respiratory pathology. Nasal insufflation of oxygen at 15 L/min can increase the duration of apnoea before the occurrence of hypoxaemia. High-flow nasal cannula oxygenation at 60-70 L/min may also increase safety during TI in critically ill patients. Stable haemodynamics and gas exchange must be maintained during rapid sequence induction. It is necessary to implement an intubation protocol during routine airway management in the ICU. Adherence to a plan for difficult airway management incorporating the use of intubation aids and airway rescue devices and strategies is useful.

Dextrose-containing intraoperative fluid in neonates: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Glucose requirement in neonates during surgery and the impact of glucose supplementation on neonatal metabolism remain unclear. AIM: This study was designed to identify an appropriate perioperative fluid regimen in neonates which maintains carbohydrate and lipid homeostasis. METHODS: Forty-five neonates undergoing primary repair of a trachea-esophageal fistula were randomly allocated into three groups. During surgery, the neonates received either 1% dextrose in Ringer lactate (RL) (group D1) at 10 ml·kg(-1) ·h(-1) , or 2% dextrose in RL (group D2) at 10 ml·kg(-1) ·h(-1) , or 10% dextrose in N/5 saline at 4 ml·kg(-1) ·h(-1) and replacement fluid with 6 ml·kg(-1) ·h(-1) of RL (group D4). Glucose homeostasis, electrolyte balance, acid-base status, and endocrine and metabolic parameters were compared among the groups during the perioperative period. RESULTS: Blood glucose increased in all the three groups at the end of surgery, with no significant difference in blood glucose and incidence of hyperglycemia (BG > 150 mg·dl(-1) ) among them. At 24 h after surgery, blood glucose and incidence of hyperglycemia was significantly higher in Group D1 compared to Group D4. Base excess, bicarbonate, lactate, and pH showed a significant fall in Group D1. There was no significant difference in serum-free fatty acids, serum beta-hydroxy butyrate, and serum cortisol in three groups. At the end of surgery, serum insulin was significantly lower and glucagon : insulin (G : I) ratio was higher in Group D1 compared to Group D4. CONCLUSIONS: All three solutions, when infused at 10 ml·kg(-1) ·h(-1) , are equally effective in maintaining glucose homeostasis, but 1% dextrose-containing fluid promotes catabolism, insulin resistance, rebound hyperglycemia, and acidosis. Therefore, 2-4% dextrose-containing fluids is more suitable compared to 1% dextrose-containing fluids for use during major neonatal surgeries requiring average fluid infusion rate of 10 ml·kg(-1) ·h(-1) .

Novel Maneuver for Endobronchial Fogarty Embolectomy Catheter Placement for Lung Isolation in Infants: An Experience of Four Cases.

One-lung anesthesia in infant is always a challenge to the pediatric anesthesiologist. Thoracoscopic diaphragmatic eventration repair requires high quality of lung isolation for proper surgical access. We are reporting a new technique of lung isolation by Fogarty embolectomy catheter alongside the endotracheal tube in four infants.

Epidural anesthesia and analgesia in the neonate: a review of current evidences.

The role of single shot spinal anesthesia has been established in ex-premature infants at risk of apnea. However, use of epidural anesthesia in neonates is on the rise. In this systematic analysis, we have reviewed the current evidence on the safety and efficacy of the use of single shot and continuous epidural anesthesia/analgesia in neonates. Current clinical practice is guided by evidence based mostly on non-randomized studies, prospective/retrospective case series and surveys. Single shot caudal blockade as a sole technique has been used in neonates mainly for inguinal hernia repair and circumcision. Use of continuous epidural anesthesia through the caudal route or caudo-thoracic advancement of the catheter for major thoracic and abdominal surgery offers good perioperative analgesia. Other observed benefits are early extubation, attenuation of stress response, early return of bowel function and reduction of general anesthesia-related postoperative complications. However, risk of procedure-related and drug-related complications to the developing neural structure remains a serious concern.

Thoraco-abdominal mature teratoma in a left diaphragmatic hernia.

This case describes a contiguous mediastinal and retroperitoneal mature teratoma in a congenital diaphragmatic defect, a combination that is hitherto unreported in literature. It substantiates embryological chronology of events during the cephalad migration of the primordial germ cells through the developing diaphragm, prior to its closure.

One lung ventilation in infants and children: experience with Marraro double lumen tube.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of selective bronchial intubation and independent lung ventilation during thoracic surgery in children up to 3 years, using a double lumen tube. METHODS: We studied retrospective (cases 1-6) and prospective cases (7-17) between January 1996 and December 2000 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India and at Fatebenefratelli and Ophthalmiatric Hospital, Milan, Italy. Seventeen children, 1 day to 3 years of age and weighing 2.7-12 kg, were submitted to thoracic surgery for a variety of surgical conditions. Anesthesia was conducted as usual in this type of patient and selective intubation was performed using a double lumen tube (Marraro Pediatric double lumen tube). During the operation one lung ventilation was applied and at the end of surgery the collapsed lung was reexpanded independently from the contralateral lung. RESULTS: Six children remained intubated with a double lumen tube for between 8 and 48 h and one (case no. 11) with a single lumen tube for 24 h, while 10 of the older children were extubated on the table. No serious complications during or after surgery were noted and after extubation all the children recovered completely without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: The double lumen tube appears to be very effective in allowing one lung ventilation in this age group during thoracic surgery.

Effect of intraoperative magnesium infusion on perioperative analgesia in open cholecystectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To study the role of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) on analgesic requirement, pain, discomfort, and sleep during perioperative period. DESIGN: prospective, double-blinded, randomized study. SETTINGS: Operating room and recovery ward at a university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: 50 ASA physical status I and II patients scheduled for elective open cholecystectomy with general anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: patients were randomly allocated to receive MgSO4 or saline intravenously (i.v.). Patients in the magnesium group received 50% MgSO4 (50 mg kg(-1)) in 100 mL saline and those in the control group received an equal volume of saline i.v. during the preoperative period followed by 50 mL hr(-1) infusion of either MgSO4 (15 mg kg(-1) hr(-1)) or saline until the end of surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Morphine requirement, pain during rest and on coughing, discomfort, and insomnia were assessed during the postoperative period for 24 hours. Intravenous morphine 40 microg kg(-1) increments were given to all patients in the postoperative period for analgesia. Patients in the magnesium and control groups had similar morphine requirement during the first 24 hours postoperatively (p = 0.07). Patients in the magnesium group experienced less discomfort during the first hour after the operation. They also had better sleep quality during the first postoperative night than did the control group patients (p < 0.05). The frequency of side effects was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Administration of intraoperative MgSO4 as an adjuvant analgesic in patients undergoing open cholecystectomy resulted in better pain relief and comfort in the first postoperative hour, but it did not significantly decrease the postoperative morphine requirement. Magnesium sulphate resulted in better sleep quality during the postoperative period, without any significant adverse effects. The role of MgSO4 as an adjuvant analgesic in open cholecystectomy needs to be studied further.

Thoracoscopic thymectomy for juvenile myasthenia gravis.

Thoracoscopic thymectomy is feasible in adolescents with myasthenia gravis. It allows complete resection of the gland with less morbidity, shorter ICU and hospital stay and far superior cosmetic result as compared to trans-sternal thymectomy. Our experience with this procedure in 9 adolescents with myasthenia gravis is presented along with review of the relevant literature.