Predictive performance of thyromental height for difficult laryngoscopies in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Thyromental height (TMH) was first reported as a great single test for prediction of difficult laryngoscopies, although further studies have shown variable estimates of its accuracy. We thus performed this meta-analysis to summarize the predictive values of TMH mainly for prediction of difficult laryngoscopies. Methods A search in PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, and Scielo was conducted in June 2020. We included prospective cohorts fully reported with patients ≥ 16 years old, providing data on predictive values of TMH for prediction of either difficult laryngoscopies or difficult intubations. Diagnostic properties and association between TMH and Cormack and Lehanes's classification by direct laryngoscopy were evaluated. A random-effects meta-analysis using hierarchical models was performed. Results Eight studies evaluating 2844 patients were included. All included studies had high risk of bias and low concern regarding applicability. There was significant heterogeneity among the studies. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratios were as follows: DOR, 57.94 (95% CI: 18.19-184.55); LR+, 11.32 (95% CI: 4.28-29.92); and LR-, 0.23 (95% CI: 0.15-0.35). Summary sensitivity and specificity for studies with common threshold were 82.6 (95% CI: 74-88.8%) and 93.5 (95% CI: 79-98.2%), respectively. The estimated AUC was 81.1%. Conclusion TMH arises as a good predictor of difficult laryngoscopies in adult patients from diverse populations presenting better predictive values than most previously reported bedside tests. However, the high risk of bias throughout the studies may have skewed the results of the individual research as well as the summary points of the present meta-analysis.

Is the anesthesiologist actually prepared for loss of airway or respiratory function? A cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To identify compliance with the procedures for securing the airway of patients submitted to anesthesia, defined as highly recommended in the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist. METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted with 87 patients aged 18 to 60 years, classified as ASA grade 1 or 2 according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Physical Status Classification. The study variables consisted of: whether the Mallampati test had been performed, whether equipment was readily available for orotracheal intubation, whether the correct placement of the endotracheal tube was verified, whether patient ventilation was monitored and whether fasting was confirmed. Prevalence ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated as measures of relative risk. Statistical significance was defined at 5%. RESULTS: It was found that in 87.4% of patients, the airway was not evaluated using the Mallampati classification and in 51.7% of cases, preoperative fasting was not confirmed. In 29.9% of cases, the ready availability of equipment for orotracheal intubation was not verified. In all of the cases in which the availability of this equipment was not checked, the patient was submitted to regional anesthesia, with a statistically significant difference compared to the cases in which the patient was submitted to general anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Measures considered essential for the safety of the patient during surgery are still being ignored.

Is the anesthesiologist actually prepared for loss of airway or respiratory function? A cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary hospital / O anestesiologista está efetivamente preparado para perda da via aérea ou da função respiratória? Um estudo de corte transversal em hospital terciário

Objective To identify compliance with the procedures for securing the airway of patients submitted to anesthesia, defined as highly recommended in the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist. Methods A prospective, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted with 87 patients aged 18 to 60 years, classified as ASA grade 1 or 2 according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Physical Status Classification. The study variables consisted of: whether the Mallampati test had been performed, whether equipment was readily available for orotracheal intubation, whether the correct placement of the endotracheal tube was verified, whether patient ventilation was monitored and whether fasting was confirmed. Prevalence ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated as measures of relative risk. Statistical significance was defined at 5%. Results It was found that in 87.4% of patients, the airway was not evaluated using the Mallampati classification and in 51.7% of cases, preoperative fasting was not confirmed. In 29.9% of cases, the ready availability of equipment for orotracheal intubation was not verified. In all of the cases in which the availability of this equipment was not checked, the patient was submitted to regional anesthesia, with a statistically significant difference compared to the cases in which the patient was submitted to general anesthesia. Conclusion Measures considered essential for the safety of the patient during surgery are still being ignored. .

Objetivo Identificar a realização de procedimentos altamente recomendados para assegurar a via aérea de pacientes submetidos a anestesia, previstos no manual de segurança anestésica da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Métodos Realizou-se um estudo prospectivo do tipo transversal observacional, envolvendo 87 pacientes com idade entre 18 e 60 anos, ASA 1 e 2 de acordo com a classificação do Estado Físico pela Sociedade Americana de Anestesiologia. Variáveis estudadas: realização do teste de Mallampati, disponibilidade de material para intubação orotraqueal, confirmação do posicionamento do tubo endotraqueal, monitoração da ventilação do paciente e confirmação do jejum. Calculou-se a Razão de Prevalência (RP) e o seu Intervalo de Confiança a 95% (IC 95%) como medida do risco relativo. Adotou-se o nível de significância de 5%. Resultados Em 87,4% dos pacientes a via aérea não foi avaliada pelo teste de Mallampati e 51,7% não tiveram seus jejuns pré-operatórios confirmados, e em 29,1% das anestesias não se verificou a disponibilidade de material para intubação orotraqueal. Todos os casos em que não ocorreu esta verificação o paciente foi submetido à anestesia regional, com diferença significativa entre os grupos (p = 0.00). 95,8% dos pacientes tiveram a intubação orotraqueal confirmada pela capnografia e 68% tiveram esta confirmação realizada pela ausculta. Conclusão Medidas consideradas essenciais para a segurança do paciente durante a cirurgia ainda são negligenciadas. .

Prevalence of post-mastectomy pain syndrome and associated risk factors: a cross-sectional cohort study.

This study was designed to determine the prevalence of post-mastectomy pain and its associated risk factors in women submitted to surgical treatment for breast cancer. A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted involving 250 women treated surgically for breast cancer. The variables evaluated were (a) post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) (as a dependent variable or outcome) and (b) the patients' social characteristics (schooling, marital status), biological characteristics (body mass index, skin color, age), prior history of headache and dysmenorrhea, occurrence of acute postoperative pain, and type of surgery (mastectomy or quadrantectomy) (as independent or predictive variables). The prevalence ratios (PR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated as a measure of the risk of PMPS. Multivariate analysis was performed using a hierarchical model of stepwise logistic regression that included possible explanatory variables, calculating the adjusted risk of PMPS from the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% CI at a significance level of 5%. PMPS was found in 44.4% of patients. The variables that remained strongly associated with PMPS following multiple logistic regression analysis were quadrantectomy with axillary lymphadenectomy (OR = 2.83; 95% CI: 1.60-5.02), prior history of headache (OR = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.10-3.34), and age <50 years (OR = 4.37; 95% CI: 2.43-7.86). PMPS is a common condition, particularly in women submitted to quadrantectomy with axillary lymphadenectomy, those under 50 years of age, and those with a prior history of headache. Attention should be paid to these factors at preoperative evaluation and counseling, and they should be taken into consideration in postoperative management.

Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief during normal childbirth and maternal satisfaction: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare maternal satisfaction with childbirth according to whether or not combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSE) of pain relief was used during labor. METHODS: A randomized, open clinical trial was performed with 70 pregnant women, 35 of whom received CSE anesthesia while 35 received only non-pharmacological forms of pain relief during labor. The variables evaluated were visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, maternal satisfaction with the technique of pain relief used during childbirth and with delivery, the patient's intention to request the same technique in a subsequent delivery, and loss of control during delivery. RESULTS: VAS pain score decreased significantly in patients receiving CSE during vaginal delivery. Furthermore, maternal satisfaction with the technique of pain relief and with delivery was higher in the CSE group, and around 97% of the patients would repeat the same technique at future deliveries compared to 82.4% of the women in the group using only non-pharmacological methods. With respect to the women's impressions of their control during delivery, approximately half the women in both groups felt that they had lost control at some point during the process. CONCLUSION: The use of CSE was associated with a significant reduction in VAS pain scores during delivery and with greater maternal satisfaction with the pain relief method and with the childbirth process.

Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief during normal childbirth and maternal satisfaction: a randomized clinical trial / Anestesia combinada e métodos não farmacológicos para alívio da dor durante o trabalho de parto e satisfação materna: ensaio clínico randomizado

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare maternal satisfaction with childbirth according to whether or not combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSE) of pain relief was used during labor. METHODS: A randomized, open clinical trial was performed with 70 pregnant women, 35 of whom received CSE anesthesia while 35 received only non-pharmacological forms of pain relief during labor. The variables evaluated were visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, maternal satisfaction with the technique of pain relief used during childbirth and with delivery, the patient's intention to request the same technique in a subsequent delivery, and loss of control during delivery. RESULTS: VAS pain score decreased significantly in patients receiving CSE during vaginal delivery. Furthermore, maternal satisfaction with the technique of pain relief and with delivery was higher in the CSE group, and around 97 percent of the patients would repeat the same technique at future deliveries compared to 82.4 percent of the women in the group using only non-pharmacological methods. With respect to the women's impressions of their control during delivery, approximately half the women in both groups felt that they had lost control at some point during the process. CONCLUSION: The use of CSE was associated with a significant reduction in VAS pain scores during delivery and with greater maternal satisfaction with the pain relief method and with the childbirth process.

OBJETIVOS: Comparar a satisfação materna com o processo do nascimento de acordo com a realização ou não de métodos farmacológicos para alívio da dor do trabalho de parto. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um ensaio clínico randomizado com 70 parturientes, 35 das quais receberam anestesia combinada (raquidiana e peridural associadas) e 35 receberam métodos não farmacológicos para alívio da dor durante o parto vaginal. As variáveis estudadas foram: escores de dor pela Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), satisfação materna com a técnica analgésica e com o parto, desejo de repetir a técnica analgésica em parto posterior e perda do controle sobre o parto. A análise estatística foi realizada no programa Epi-Info 3.5.3, com base na intenção de tratar. RESULTADOS: Pacientes recebendo anestesia combinada (AC) durante o parto vaginal experimentaram uma diminuição significativa dos escores da EVA e maior satisfação materna com a técnica analgésica e com o parto. A maioria das parturientes, cerca de 97 por cento do grupo da anestesia combinada, repetiu a técnica em partos futuros, contra 82,4 por cento do grupo dos métodos não farmacológicos. No que diz respeito ao sentimento de controle do parto, aproximadamente metade das parturientes dos dois grupos sentiu que em algum momento do parto perdeu o controle deste, não havendo diferença significativa entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: O uso da AC está associado a uma significante diminuição dos escores da dor durante o parto, e maior satisfação materna com a técnica analgésica e com o parto.

Uso da eletroestimulaçäo transcutânea para alívio da dor durante o trabalho de parto em uma maternidade-escola: ensaio clínico controlado / The use of transcutaneous nerve stimulation for pain relief during labor in a teaching hospital: a randomized controlled trial

Objetivos: determinar os desfechos maternos e neonatais de acordo com a aplicaçäo ou näo de estimulaçäo elétrica transcutânea (EET) para alívio da dor do trabalho de parto antes da instalaçäo da técnica combinada (raquianestesia + peridural). Métodos: realizou-se ensaio clínico, randomizado, aberto, envolvendo 22 parturientes, com gestaçäo a termo e feto único em apresentaçäo cefálica, atendidas em hospital-escola de nível terciário em Recife, Brasil. Estas pacientes foram randomizadas para receber ou näo EET antes da instalaçäo da anestesia combinada (raquianestesia + anestesia peridural) para analgesia de parto. Avaliaram-se a intensidade da dor pela escala analógica visual (EAV), o tempo transcorrido entre a avaliaçäo inicial e a necessidade de instalaçäo da anestesia combinada, a duraçäo do trabalho de parto, a freqüência de cesariana e parto instrumental, os escores de Apgar e a freqüência de hipóxia neonatal. Para análise estatística, foram utilizados os testes de Mann-Whitney e exato de Fisher, considerando-se o nível de significância de 5 por cento. Resultados: o tempo decorrido entre a avaliaçäo da dor da parturiente e a necessidade de instalaçäo da técnica combinada foi significativamente maior no grupo da EET (mediana de 90 minutos) quando comparado ao grupo controle (mediana de 30 minutos). A duraçäo do trabalho de parto foi similar nos dois grupos (em torno de seis horas). Näo houve diferença na evoluçäo dos escores de EAV durante o trabalho de parto. A freqüência de cesariana foi de 18,2 por cento nos dois grupos. Apenas um parto foi ultimado a fórcipe, no grupo controle. A mediana do escore de Apgar no quinto minuto foi 10, näo se encontrando nenhum caso de hipóxia neonatal. Conclusões: a aplicaçäo de EET foi efetiva em retardar a instalaçäo da anestesia combinada para manter analgesia satisfatória durante o trabalho de parto, porém näo apresentou efeito significativo sobre a intensidade da dor e a duraçäo do trabalho de parto. Näo houve efeitos deletérios maternos e neonatais