Comparison of Supreme Laryngeal Mask Airway and ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway during Cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the safety and efficacy of the Supreme Laryngeal Mask Airway (S-LMA) with that of the ProSeal-LMA (P-LMA) in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty adults were randomly allocated. Following anaesthesia induction, experienced LMA users inserted the airway devices. RESULTS: Oropharyngeal leak pressure was similar in groups (S-LMA, 27.8±2.9 cmH2O; P-LMA, 27.0±4.7 cmH2O; p=0.42) and did not change during the induction of and throughout pneumoperitoneum. The first attempt success rates were 93% with both S-LMA and P-LMA. Mean airway device insertion time was significantly shorter with S-LMA than with P-LMA (12.5±4.1 seconds versus 15.6±6.0 seconds; p=0.02). The first attempt success rates for the drainage tube insertion were similar (P-LMA, 93%; S-LMA 100%); however, drainage tubes were inserted more quickly with S-LMA than with P-LMA (9.0±3.2 seconds versus 14.7±6.6 seconds; p=0.001). In the PACU, vomiting was observed in five patients (three females and two males) in the S-LMA group and in one female patient in the P-LMA group (p=0.10). CONCLUSION: Both airway devices can be used safely in laparoscopic cholecystectomies with suitable patients and experienced users. However, further studies are required not only for comparing both airway devices in terms of postoperative nausea and vomiting but also for yielding definitive results.

The LMA CTrach™ in morbidly obese and lean patients undergoing gynecological procedures: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: The tracheas of obese patients may be more difficult to intubate than those of normal-weight patients. The aim of this study was to compare the airway management quality in morbidly obese and lean patients with use of the LMA CTrach. METHODS: After Ethics Committee approval, 60 adult patients (30 morbidly obese patients with body mass index >40 kg/m² and 30 lean patients with body mass index <30 kg/m²) scheduled to undergo gynecological surgery were enrolled in this prospective study. The induction of anesthesia was standardized using propofol, fentanyl, and rocuronium. Ventilation and intubation success rates, time taken to achieve successful ventilation, and intubation through the CTrach and airway complications were recorded. RESULTS: The CTrach was successfully inserted and adequate ventilation through the CTrach was achieved in 59 patients (98%). Only 1 patient in the lean group was not able to ventilate through the CTrach. We were successful in endotracheal intubation, either under vision or blind, in 56 patients (93%). We were able to view the larynx in 51 patients (85%). Total intubation time was significantly longer in morbidly obese patients, 69 (311) s, than in lean patients, 33 (107) s [median (range)] (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the time to intubate the trachea in obese patients was significantly longer than in lean patients when the LMA CTrach was used.

Hearing loss after spinal anesthesia: the effect of different infusion solutions.

OBJECTIVE: We speculate that the preoperative volume replacement with a convenient solution may protect the inner ear function after spinal anesthesia. METHODS: The patients were randomized in a single-blind fashion into two groups: group LR (n = 40) received lactated Ringer's and group GF (n = 40) received gelatin polysuccinate 4% (Gelofusine). Spinal anesthesia was performed with a 25 G Quincke needle and was given bupivacaine 0.5% 10 mg and fentanyl 25 microg. Audiograms were performed preoperatively and 2 days postoperatively. RESULTS: The overall incidence of hearing loss was 7.5%. The hearing loss was unilateral in two and bilateral in four patients. Hearing loss occurred within the low-frequency range and the hearing thresholds returned to normal by the fifth postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence of hearing loss for the lactated Ringer's group was higher than the Gelofusine group, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. For medicolegal and ethical reasons, patients should be informed about the possibility of hearing loss after spinal anesthesia.

Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration to treat controlled-release carbamazepine overdose in a pediatric patient.

Carbamazepine (CBZ) intoxication is an important issue in acute poisoning practice. Highly protein-bound, CBZ is not removed efficiently through conventional hemodialysis. We describe the use of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) in a 2-year-old boy who developed general tonic clonic seizure and respiratory depression due to controlled-release formula of CBZ overdose (peak drug level of > 20 microg.ml(-1), therapeutic range: 5-10 microg.ml(-1)). Serum CBZ concentrations fell to 0.25 microg.ml(-1) at the end of hemodiafiltration. The patient recovered rapidly and was discharged from hospital 4 days from the time of ingestion with no complications or neurologic impairment.

The incidence and risk factors of difficult mask ventilation.

PURPOSE: The ability to ventilate and oxygenate a patient using a bag-mask breathing system may be lifesaving in the case of failure of the initial intubation attempt. In this study, we aimed to determine the incidence of difficult mask ventilation (DMV) and to find preoperative risk factors for this procedure. METHODS: Based on methods used for overcoming some difficulties with bag-mask ventilation (MV), classification has been made into four categories: easy MV, awkward MV, difficult MV, and impossible MV. A univariate analysis was performed to identify potential risk factors predicting DMV, followed by a stepwise forward binary logistic regression, and the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 576 patients were studied. Incidence of easy MV, awkward MV, and difficult MV were found to be 75.5% (n = 435), 16.7% (n = 96), and 7.8% (n = 45), respectively. Height, weight, age, male gender, increased Mallampati class, history of snoring, lack of teeth, and beard were found to be DMV risk factors (P < 0.05). Using a multivariate analysis, Mallampati class 4, male, history of snoring, age, and weight were found to be significantly associated with DMV. Although the incidence of DMV in general was 7.8% (n = 45), the incidence of DMV among patients with difficult intubation (n = 123) was found to be 15.5% (n = 19). CONCLUSIONS: Mallampati class 4, male patients, history of snoring, increasing age, and increasing weight were found to be risk factors for DMV in our study.