Track your trach: Removal of a fractured tracheostomy tube using a flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope in a patient with severe head injury.

Tracheostomy is a common airway procedure for life support in critically ill patients with head injuries. This procedure is safe but also associated with early and late complications. Tube fracture and dislodgement into the tracheobronchial tree leading to airway obstruction is a rare but life-threatening complication after prolonged tracheostomy tube placement. There are very few published reports of tracheostomy tube fracture and dislodgement into tracheobronchial tree in a neurologically injured patient. We report a case of a fractured tracheostomy tube which got impacted in the left main bronchus, in a 41-year-old male patient who had been on prolonged tracheostomy tube after craniotomy and evacuation of subdural hematoma. The distal part of the tracheostomy tube fractured and impacted in the left main bronchus. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy was performed through the oral cavity to extract it, and the anaesthetic management during the period is discussed.

Assessment of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter and Its Postoperative Regression among Patients Undergoing Brain Tumor Resection in a Tertiary Care Center.

Introduction Bedside measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) using ultrasonography (USG) is a useful method for detecting raised intracranial pressure (ICP). The primary and main objective of this study is to estimate ONSD among patients with brain tumor and its regression post tumor resection to assess the correlation as well as diagnostic accuracy of the same. Materials and Methods This prospective observational study was performed in a tertiary health care center over a span of 3 months on 68 adults of either sex, out of which 30 were nonneurosurgical patients, taken as control group. Rest 38 were neurosurgical patients posted for brain tumor resection. Normal ONSD in our population was determined by calculating average ONSD using transorbital USG in individuals of control group. ONSD in neurosurgical patients taken as case group was recorded before surgery, intraoperatively immediately post tumor resection, as well as 12 and 24 hours post surgery. These values were analyzed to see the correlation of ONSD with tumor resection. Results The mean (±standard deviation) binocular ONSD in our population was 4.28 ± 0.28 mm. The mean preoperative binocular ONSD in cases using transorbital USG came out to be 5.43 ± 0.37 mm with 88.23% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Postoperatively, transorbital ONSD showed significant regression at 12 and 24 hours as compared with preoperative values ( p -value < 0.05). Conclusion Transorbital ultrasonographic measurement of ONSD could be considered as an indirect indicator of ICP in neurosurgical patients perioperatively. The technique is quick to perform at bedside, feasible in critical patients, and without any harmful effects.

Association of Mean Platelet Volume with Risk Factors and Functional Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the world and a major cause of disability, with ischemic stroke contributing to 87% of all strokes. Platelets are central in the formation of thrombus, and in the process, they enlarge in size, become active, and secrete prothrombotic factors. This is supported by the presence of large platelets in ischemic stroke, where they may be implicated in the pathogenesis of vessel occlusion, leading to stroke. The mean platelet volume (MPV) is an important laboratory marker of platelet function and activation. Materials and Methods The present study was conducted to assess the role of MPV in the pathogenesis, severity, and outcome of ischemic stroke. It was an observational study in 100 acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients (excluding cardioembolic stroke) admitted to the Medicine wards, Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, a tertiary care hospital at Aligarh. The MPV was correlated with the conventional risk factors of ischemic stroke and outcome (using modified Rankin scale [mRS]). The study revealed statistically significant correlation between MPV and hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT). Also, the MPV at presentation positively correlated with mRS (correlation coefficient 0.818); thus, high MPV was associated with more severe disability. Conclusion The MPV at the time of presentation of ischemic stroke may be useful in predicting the severity of stroke and neurological recovery. However, a larger study including diverse population is required to endorse its predictive value in AIS.

A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block in Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac surgical pain is of moderate-to-severe intensity. Ineffective pain control may lead to increased cardiopulmonary complications and poor surgical outcomes. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in providing analgesia in adult cardiac surgeries. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial. SETTINGS: Single-center, tertiary care hospital with university affiliation. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patients of either sex, aged 18-to-60 years, body mass index 19-to-30 kg/m2, undergoing elective on-pump single-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting or valve replacement under general anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly categorized into two groups of 15 patients each to receive bilateral erector spinae plane block with 20 mL per side of 0.25% levobupivacaine (group E) or sham block with 20 mL of normal saline (group C). MAIN RESULTS: Mean analgesic requirement in terms of fentanyl equivalents (µg) in the first 24 hours postoperatively was 225 ± 112 in group E and 635 ± 145 in group C (95% confidence interval, 313.10-506.90; p < 0.05). Mean time to first rescue analgesia was 356.9 ± 34.5 in group E and 123.9 ± 13.1 minutes in group C (p < 0.05). Cox proportional hazard ratio for rescue analgesic requirement in group E-to-group C was 5.0. Duration of mechanical ventilation was 88.4 ± 17 and 103.5 ± 18 minutes in groups E and C, respectively (p < 0.05). Ramsay sedation score at six hours postextubation was 1.45 ± 0.53 in group E and 3.19 ± 0.62 in group C (p < 0.05). Mean numerical rating score was 3.67 ± 1.41 in group E and 4.50 ± 1.00 in group C (p = 0.17). No significant differences were observed in the incidences of postoperative nausea vomiting, pruritus, and erector spinae plane block-related infection and pneumothorax. CONCLUSION: Single-shot erector spinae plane block provides superior analgesia as compared with sham block. It decreased the first 24-hour postoperative analgesic consumption by 64.5% and risk of pain by five times in the authors' population. It also reduced the sedation and duration of mechanical ventilation in postcardiac surgery patients.

King Vision video laryngoscope for severe post burn contracture neck: an encouraging experience / Videolaringoscópio King Vision para contratura grave do pescoço após queimadura: uma experiência encorajadora

Abstract Background and objectives Managing the airway of post burn contracture of the neck has always been challenging to anesthesiologists as it limits the alignment of oro-pharyngo-laryngeal axes because of functional and anatomical deformities that occur as a result of long standing contractures. Here the role of the King Vision video laryngoscope which is the latest in the series of video laryngoscope has been evaluated for such patients. Case report A 35 year old male patient with post burn contracture of neck was scheduled for release of the contracture. As the patient had had fixed flexion deformity of the neck we did not attempt the conventional laryngoscopy. Instead we opted for King Vision video laryngoscope. Conclusion We therefore conclude that King Vision videolaryngoscope can be used for difficult airway situations like post burn contracture of neck.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos O manejo de vias aéreas em contratura de pescoço após queimadura sempre foi um desafio para os anestesiologistas, pois a contratura limita o alinhamento do eixo orofaringolaríngeo devido às deformidades funcionais e anatômicas que ocorrem como resultado de contraturas de longa duração. Relato de caso Paciente do sexo masculino, 35 anos de idade, com contratura do pescoço após queimadura foi programado para liberação da contratura. Como estava com deformidade fixa em flexão no pescoço, não tentamos a laringoscopia convencional e optamos por usar o videolaringoscópio King Vision. Conclusão O videolaringoscópio King Vision pode ser usado em situações de via aérea difícil como a contratura de pescoço após queimadura.

[King Vision video laryngoscope for severe post burn contracture neck: an encouraging experience]. / Videolaringoscópio King Vision para contratura grave do pescoço após queimadura: uma experiência encorajadora.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Managing the airway of post burn contracture of the neck has always been challenging to anesthesiologists as it limits the alignment of oro-pharyngo-laryngeal axes because of functional and anatomical deformities that occur as a result of long standing contractures. Here the role of the King Vision video laryngoscope which is the latest in the series of video laryngoscope has been evaluated for such patients. CASE REPORT: A 35 year old male patient with post burn contracture of neck was scheduled for release of the contracture. As the patient had had fixed flexion deformity of the neck we did not attempt the conventional laryngoscopy. Instead we opted for King Vision video laryngoscope. CONCLUSION: We therefore conclude that King Vision videolaryngoscope can be used for difficult airway situations like post burn contracture of neck.

Comparison of the Airtraq and McCoy laryngoscopes using a rigid neck collar in patients with simulated difficult laryngoscopy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of the Airtraq versus the McCoy laryngoscope as intubation devices with the neck stabilized by a rigid cervical collar. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. SETTING: Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College. PATIENTS: 60 ASA physical status 1, 2, and 3 patients, aged 18-70 years, scheduled for various surgical procedures requiring tracheal intubation for surgical anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly allocated to undergo intubation with the McCoy (n = 30) or Airtraq (n = 30) laryngoscope. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Differences in intubation times between the Airtraq and the McCoy laryngoscope, modified Cormack-Lehane score, percentage of glottic opening (POGO) score, and airway trauma were compared. Overall intubation success rates were 100% with both devices and a similar number of intubation attempts were required. However, the mean (SD) time required for successful intubation was shorter with the Airtraq (28.73 ± 6.39 sec) than the McCoy laryngoscope (39.11 ± 14.01 sec; P < 0.0001). The frequencies of intubation complications were similar. Esophageal intubation occurred in 4 cases but only with the McCoy laryngoscope. CONCLUSION: Intubation time was shorter with the Airtraq than the McCoy laryngoscope, even though the overall success rates between the two devices were similar.

Laringoscópio óptico Airtraq® para intubação traqueal em paciente com grande lipoma na nuca: relato de caso / Airtraq® optical laryngoscope for tracheal intubation in a patient with giant lipoma at the nape: a case report / Laringoscopio óptico Airtraq® para la intubación traqueal en un paciente con lipoma enorme en la nuca: relato de caso

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Lipoma é uma doença de crescimento progressivo que pode surgir em qualquer parte do corpo. O seu aparecimento na parte de trás do pescoço, especialmente quando é grande o bastante para causar restrição do pescoço, principalmente da extensão, é um desafio para os anestesiologistas sempre que precisam manejar as vias aéreas. Aqui, o papel do Airtraq® foi avaliado no movimento restrito do pescoço. RELATO DE CASO: Relatamos o caso de uma paciente selecionada para remoção cirúrgica eletiva de um lipoma enorme na nuca, medindo 14 x 12 cm, que apresentou dificuldade para assegurar a permeabilidade das vias aéreas por meio de laringoscopia convencional. Para resolver o problema, usamos com sucesso um dispositivo recentemente desenvolvido, o Airtraq®, que é um laringoscópio óptico para assegurar a via aérea. CONCLUSÃO: O Airtraq® pode ser usado para intubação eletiva em pacientes com movimentos restritos do pescoço.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lipoma is a progressively increasing disease which may appear anywhere in the body. Its appearance at the back of the neck, especially when it is large enough to cause restriction of neck extension, poses challenges to anesthesiologists in airway management whenever needed. This paper evaluates the role of Airtraq® in restricted neck movement. CASE REPORT: Case with a huge lipoma of 14 x 12 cm at the nape, and its surgical removal during an elective operation theatre posed difficulty in securing the airway by conventional laryngoscopy. To overcome the problem we successfully used a newly developed device, the Airtraq®, which is an optical laryngoscope for securing the airway. CONCLUSION: Airtraq® can be used for elective intubation in patients with restricted neck movements.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: El Lipoma es una enfermedad de crecimiento progresivo que puede surgir en cualquier parte del cuerpo. Su aparecimiento en la parte de atrás del cuello, especialmente cuando es bastante grande para causar su restricción, principalmente en la extensión, es un reto para los anestesistas que necesitan siempre manejar las vías aéreas. Aquí el papel del Airtraq® se avaluó en el movimiento restringido del cuello. RELATO DE CASO: Caso de una paciente seleccionada para la retirada quirúrgica electiva de un lipoma enorme en la nuca, que medía 14 x 12 cm, y que tuvo una dificultad para asegurar la permeabilidad de las vías aéreas por medio de una laringoscopia convencional. Para resolver el problema, ha utilizado exitosamente un dispositivo recientemente desarrollado, el Airtraq®, que es un laringoscopio óptico para asegurar la vía aérea. CONCLUSIONES: El Airtraq® puede ser usado para la intubación electiva en pacientes con movimientos restringidos del cuello.

Airtraq® optical laryngoscope for tracheal intubation in a patient with giant lipoma at the nape: a case report.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lipoma is a progressively increasing disease which may appear anywhere in the body. Its appearance at the back of the neck, especially when it is large enough to cause restriction of neck extension, poses challenges to anesthesiologists in airway management whenever needed. This paper evaluates the role of Airtraq® in restricted neck movement. CASE REPORT: Case with a huge lipoma of 14×12cm at the nape, and its surgical removal during an elective operation theatre posed difficulty in securing the airway by conventional laryngoscopy. To overcome the problem we successfully used a newly developed device, the Airtraq®, which is an optical laryngoscope for securing the airway. CONCLUSION: Airtraq® can be used for elective intubation in patients with restricted neck movements.

Airtraq(®) optical laryngoscope for tracheal intubation in patients with severe ankylosing spondylitis: A report of two cases.

Airway management in patients of ankylosing spondylitis remains a challenge for anaesthesiologists. Many new airway devices have been used for securing airway in these patients. The Airtraq(®) optical laryngoscope is one of the new rigid laryngoscopes with a proximal view finder that reflects an image transferred from the distal tip of the blade through a series of lenses, prisms and mirrors. We report two cases of ankylosing spondylitis who were scheduled for total hip replacement and subtotal thyroidectomy and were successfully intubated using the Airtraq(®) laryngoscope.