Airway Blocks Vs LA Nebulization- An interventional trial for Awake Fiberoptic Bronchoscope assisted Nasotracheal Intubation in Oral Malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Patients with intra-oral malignancies warrants use of awake Fiberoptic assisted naso-thracheal intubation to secure an airway due to multiple risk factors leading to anticipated difficult airway. Different techniques such as airway blocks, local anesthesia (LA) gargles, spray, nebulization and  mild  sedation are in practice to improve  the success rate of fiberoptic assisted intubation. METHODS: Sixty patients  of  ASA I and II with Mallampatti score 3 and above, posted for Commando operations were enrolled in this study and were divided into 2 groups. Group AB (Airway Block, n=30) were given Superior laryngeal nerve block bilaterally and recurrent laryngeal nerve block  transtracheally  with Inj  2% Lignocaine. Second Group AN (Airway Nebulization, n=30)  patients airway was nebulized with 4% Lignocaine  with ultrasonic nebulizer. After confirmation of satisfactory anesthesia clinically Fiber-optic assisted naso-tracheal intubation was attempted. Hemodynamic monitoring, total time taken for intubation, patients comfort and any complications occurred were noted. Statistical Analysis- All the observed values were tabulated and analyzed using software SPSS version 17.0. RESULTS: Demography and Hemodynamic observations were comparable in the groups.  The time taken for intubation, patient comfort score, intubation conditions were excellent in AB group than in group AN. Airway complications like laryngospasm and cough were noted in AN Group. CONCLUSIONS: Judicial use of combined Airway blocks such as Bilateral Superior and trans-tracheal recurrent laryngeal nerve blocks could facilitate a successful fiber-optic assisted awake naso-tracheal intubation in anticipated difficult intubation with negligible complications.
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Implementation of an Anaesthesia Quality Improvement Programme to Reduce Fibreoptic Bronchoscope Repair Incidents.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed at investigating the effectiveness of the implementation of a comprehensive quality improvement programme (QIP) for reducing the repair rate of the fibreoptic bronchoscope (FOB). METHODS: A three-stage improvement strategy was implemented between January 2013 and December 2016. Stage one is the acquisition of information on violations of practice guidelines, repair rate, cost of repair, and incidence of unavailability of FOB during anaesthesia induction of the previous year through auditing. Stage two is the implementation of a quality improvement campaign (QIC) based on the results of stage one. Stage three is the programme perpetuation through monitoring compliance with policy on FOB use by regular internal audits. The effectiveness was retrospectively analyzed on a yearly basis. RESULTS: The annual repair rate, repair cost, and incidence of FOB unavailability before the QIP implementation were 1%, 18,757 USD, and 1.4%, respectively. After QIC, the repair rate in 2013 dropped by 81% (from 1% in 2012 to 0.19% in 2013, p < 0.05). The annual repair cost fell by 32% from 18,758 USD (2012) to 12,820 USD (2013). Besides, the incidence of FOB unavailability plummeted by 71% from 1.4% to 0.4% during the same period. The annual repair rates and incidence of FOB unavailability remained lower in subsequent three years than those before QIP implementation. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a quality improvement programme was effective for reducing the rate and cost of FOB repair as well as unavailability rate, highlighting its beneficial impact on cost-effectiveness and patient safety in a tertiary referral center setting.

Bronchoscopy in Nigerian Clinical Practice: A Survey of Medical Doctors' Perception, Use and Associated Challenges.

BACKGROUND: Bronchoscopy is a vital diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in pulmonological practice. The aim of this study was to determine the perception, use and challenges encountered by Nigerian medical doctors involved in this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 medical doctors recruited from three major tertiary institutions in Nigeria between September 2013 and June 2014. A semi-structured questionnaire was self-administered to adult physicians, paediatricians, and surgeons as well as their trainees to obtain their perception, use and associated challenges in the use of bronchoscopy in clinical practice. RESULTS: The majority (91.6%) of the respondents perceived bronchoscopy as a beneficial procedure to respiratory medicine. However, 59.2% of them were not aware of the low mortality rate associated with this procedure. The commonest indications for bronchoscopic use were foreign body aspiration (88.8%) and management of lung tumors (75.6%). Only 21 (8.4%) of the respondents had received formal training in bronchoscopy. Very few procedures (1-5 cases per month) were performed. The respondents identified the lack of formal training in the art of bronchoscopy as the foremost challenge facing its practice in Nigeria. In addition, availability of bronchoscopes, level of awareness, knowledge of the procedure among medical doctors and the cost of the procedure were the challenges faced by the medical doctors. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need to equip training centers with modern bronchoscopic facilities. In addition,well-structured bronchoscopic training programme is imperative to enhance the trainees' proficiency for the furtherance of bronchoscopic practice.

Comparison of Airway Measurements for Tracheobronchial Stenosis Between Stereoscopic Bronchoscope and MD-CT.

BACKGROUND: Stereoscopic bronchoscopy is a new diagnostic tool to measure the diameter and cross-sectional area of the airway. The stereoscopic bronchoscope, which operates the same as a standard bronchoscope, utilizes 2 lenses to measure the airway using the principles of triangulation. Furthermore, the stereoscopic bronchoscope has the capability to measure the size of the airway during intervention in real-time, including variable stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To prospectively compare preoperative stereoscopic and multidetector computed tomography (MD-CT) images to select the appropriate stent size for airway stenosis. Stereoscopic and MD-CT images were then measured to confirm the correct placement of the stent. RESULTS: Airway stenting was performed on 21 consecutive patients of whom, 15 were diagnosed with malignant and 6 with benign diseases. In total, 165 measurements were taken (134 healthy; 31 affected). For the diameter, Bland-Altman plots were used to measure data from 165 matched stereoscopic and MD-CT measurement sites (bias, 0.40±2.86 mm SD; percentage error, 33%), 134 healthy sites (bias, 0.554±2.83 mm SD; percentage error, 34%), and 31 affected sites (bias, 1.20±2.67 mm SD; percentage error, 52%). For the cross-sectional area, matched stereoscopic and MD-CT measurements were analyzed for 65 sites (bias, -10.53±92.85 mm SD; percentage error, 89%), 49 healthy sites (bias, -9.88±39.00 mm SD; percentage error, 32%), and 16 affected sites (bias, -13.12±48.81 mm SD; percentage error, 92%). CONCLUSION: Stereoscopic bronchoscopy was able to accurately measure the size of the airway during intervention, to assist in selecting the appropriate size of the stent.

Supraglottic jet oxygenation and ventilation-assisted fibre-optic bronchoscope intubation in patients with difficult airways.

A difficult airway may lead to hypoxia and brain damage. The WEI Nasal Jet Tube (WNJ) is a new nasal pharyngeal tube that applies supraglottic jet oxygenation and ventilation (SJOV) for patients during tracheal intubation without the need for mask ventilation. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of SJOV-assisted fibre-optic bronchoscopy (FOB) using the WNJ in the management of difficult tracheal intubations. A total of 50 adult patients with Cormack-Lehane grade ≥3 and general anesthesia with tracheal intubation were randomly assigned to either the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or WNJ groups. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients with SpO2 values lower than 94 % during intubation. The proportion of successful intubations, total time of intubation, and associated complications were also recorded. The percentage of patients with SpO2 values lower than 94 % during intubation was significantly higher in the LMA group (25 % in the LMA vs. 0 % in the WNJ, P = 0.01). Although there were no statistically significant differences in the total success rates of intubation, the first-attempt success rate was significantly higher in the WNJ group (100 vs. 79.2 %, P = 0.02). The total time required for intubation with the WNJ was shorter than that of the LMA (73.4 vs. 99.5 s, P < 0.001), although the duration of fibre-optic intubation was similar. The incidence of complications was similar between the two groups. SJOV-assisted FOB using the WNJ improved oxygenation and successful tracheal intubation in the management of difficult airways. This technique can be used as an alternative approach to improve success and minimize hypoxia during difficult airway management.

Hallazgos fibrobroncoscópicos en pacientes estudiados por estridor en un hospital de tercer nivel / Fiberoptic bronchoscopy findings in children with stridor in a tertiary hospital

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The use of Airtraq laryngoscope versus Macintosh laryngoscope and fiberoptic bronchoscope by experienced anesthesiologists.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare the hemodynamic parameters, intubation times, upper airway trauma and postoperative sore throat scores of the patients with normal airway anatomy, intubated with the Airtraq, Macintosh laryngoscope and fiberoptic bronchoscope, by experienced anesthesiologists. METHODS: Ninety patients, scheduled to undergo elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into three groups (n = 30): Group A: Airtraq laryngoscope, Group M: Macintosh laryngoscope and Group FB: fiberoptic bronchoscope. The time to intubation and success rates were recorded. The hemodynamic parameters before and one minute after the anesthesia induction were recorded and the measurements were repeated 3, 4 and 5 minutes after the endotracheal intubation. The postoperative sore throat scores and signs of any trauma were also recorded. RESULTS: Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were not significantly different between the three groups. The mean intubation time interval did not differ between groups. Highest postoperative sore throat scores were recorded at the 6th hour post extubation. The scores were 37.6 +/- 20.9 in Group A, 13.3 +/- 16.8 in Group M and 13.6 +/- 14.0 in Group FB. The scores in Group A were significantly higher compared to other groups. The number of patients requiring additional analgesia to relieve sore throat was also significantly higher in Group A. CONCLUSION: The Airtraq laryngoscope seems to be a more traumatic airway device in the routine endotracheal intubation compared to Macintosh laryngoscope and fiberoptic bronchoscope, when used by experienced anesthesiologists. It also does not offer advantage over the first-attempt success rates, the intubation times and hemodynamic parameters.

Fiber-optic bronchoscope and detection of lung cancer: a five year study.

White light bronchoscopy [WLB] has been used for identification and localization of intra-epithelial pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions within the bronchus. Aim of the study was to evaluate the uses of WLB to detect and localize the precancerous and cancerous lesions, and in addition to analyze morphologic presentation, and association to histological type and the variation between genders.A total of 4983 patients were examined by WLB from 2004 to 2009 in a local tertiary teaching hospital. The following parameters were collected: morphological presentation, biopsy sites, histology. The patients' records of age, sex, smoking status, blood-gas, X-RAY/CT, CBC, ECG, PT, and APTT were obtained for analysis. Differences between the patients groups were analyzed using Chi square test.1489 patients who had hyperplasia or neoplasic lesions were further confirmed as having lung cancer pathologically. Lung cancer was more commonly found in the right lung (51.58% vs 42.82%). The upper lobe was more frequently found to have lesions (44.17% vs 22.42%) than the lower lobe. Male patients with squamous cell carcinoma showed more commonly upper lobe involvement, while left main bronchus was more commonly involved in female patients. Adenocarcinoma was mostly involved in lesions of the upper lobe. Proliferative type was found in 80.15% of squamous cell carcinoma cases and in 76.16 % of small cell carcinoma cases.Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is an effective method for the detection of preinvasive neoplasic lesions. The morphological presentation is associated to histological type. There is variation in presentation and histology of cancerous lung lesion between the genders.

Diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions using a bronchoscope insertion guidance system combined with endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath.

We developed a bronchoscope insertion guidance system that produces virtual images by extracting the bronchi by automatic threshold adjustment, and searching for the bronchial route to the determined target. We used this system in combination with a thin bronchoscope and endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS), and evaluated its practicability, usefulness and safety. The subjects were 31 patients with 32 peripheral pulmonary lesions. Computed tomography (CT) data were transferred into this system, and virtual bronchial images were automatically produced by setting the lesion as the target. While virtual images with the target were displayed for comparison with real images by the system, a thin bronchoscope was advanced to the target bronchus. Transbronchial biopsy (TBB) was then performed by EBUS-GS. The system automatically produced virtual images to a median of fifth- (third- to seventh-) order bronchi. In all patients, the thin bronchoscope could be guided along the planned route, and observation to a median of fifth- (third- to seventh-) order bronchi was possible. Thirty lesions (93.8%) were successfully visualized by EBUS, and 27 (84.4%) could be pathologically diagnosed. In lesions < or =30mm in size, the EBUS visualization yield was 91.7% (22/24), and the diagnostic yield was 79.2% (19/24). The median total examination time was 22.3 (9.8-41.5) min. In summary, using the bronchoscope insertion guidance system, virtual images can be readily produced, and the bronchoscope can be successfully guided to the target. This method is promising as a routine examination method in the biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions.

Bronchoscopy with the Vision Sciences BF100 disposable-sheath device: French experience after 328 procedures.

BACKGROUND: In spite of adhesion to recommended disinfection procedures, the transmission of infections by bronchoscopes is a permanent problem. OBJECTIVE: The new device may prevent nosocomial infections because it consists of two parts: a specific bronchoscope Vision Sciences BF100 and a single-use protective sheath for each procedure. The aim of this paper is to report our practice and the difficulties encountered when using this system. METHODS: We report our experience from 1997 to 2002 after 328 elective and emergency endoscopic procedures with the BF100 device. In a retrospective study, we describe the population and the incidents during procedure. We discuss the impact of the use of BF100 on the cost of bronchoscopies. RESULTS: The major constraint is the care required in assembling the optical device and disposable sheath. The intrinsic qualities of the optics are confirmed; any sample may be taken although image quality and suction capacity are inferior to videoscopes. Maneuverability is inferior to videoscopes, but improves with a short experience. In addition, this device is expensive. CONCLUSIONS: The technical performances of the BF100 device are inferior to those of videoscopes but the concept of sterile single-use sheaths is able to prevent the nosocomial infections related to bronchoscopes. Because of the cost, examination with the BF100 should be reserved to patients with proved or suspected infection (multiresistant bacteria, tuberculosis, hepatitis C and B virus, HIV, prions) and immunosuppression (hematologic diseases).

[Flexible bronchoscopy in children. Experience at French centers of pediatric pneumology]. / La fibroscopie bronchique chez l'enfant. Expertise des centres français de pneumologie pédiatrique.

INTRODUCTION: Fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FB) is an important diagnostic examination in paediatric pulmonology. In 2002 the Paediatric Pulmonology and Allergy Club undertook a retrospective study to establish the current status of fibreoptic bronchoscopy among its members. METHODS: In 2001 sixty five paediatric pulmonologists carried out an average of 116 examinations (+/- 111) in 35 paediatric centres. FB was performed either in an operating theatre (15 centres), a dedicated bronchoscopy suite (6 centres) or an endoscopy suite shared with gastro-enterologists (7 centres). Other examinations were performed in areas dedicated to, or associated with intensive care. General anaesthesia was routinely used in 18 centres. The others used sedation including an equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide in 14 centres. Ten centres performed less than 50 examinations, 12 between 51 and 100, 4 between 101 and 200 and 8 centres more than 200 in the year. Seventy two per cent of the children were less than 6 years old. The washing and disinfection procedures were manual in 20 centres and automatic in 15. RESULTS: Three principal indications were reported: persistent wheezing, suspicion of a foreign body and ventilatory difficulties. Cough, desaturation and fever were the most frequently reported side effects. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first survey in paediatric pulmonology in France. It shows a wide variation in the practice of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in children.

Use of rigid and flexible bronchoscopy among pediatric otolaryngologists.

OBJECTIVE: To explore how rigid and flexible bronchoscopy are used in pediatric otolaryngologic practice. DESIGN: Survey. PARTICIPANTS: Members of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology who practice in the United States and Canada and were listed in the membership directory were eligible. Of the 206 members, 24 practicing outside the United States or Canada and 11 without an e-mail address or a fax machine were excluded. Hence, a questionnaire was e-mailed or faxed to 171 pediatric otolaryngologists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Questions concerned the practice setting, type and number of bronchoscopies, indications, complications, and medicolegal cases. RESULTS: Responses were received from 120 subjects (70.2%), with 3 retired and 2 practicing only otology, leaving 115 respondents who completed at least some of the questionnaire. Rigid and flexible bronchoscopy were performed by 72.7% (56/77) of those in academic settings and by 71.1% (27/38) of those in group or solo practices. In the last 12 months, approximately 10 454 total bronchoscopies were performed, with 2052 flexible and 9117 rigid bronchoscopies. Stridor, suspected foreign body inhalation, and laryngomalacia were the most common indications for bronchoscopy. Of the 83 respondents practicing rigid and flexible bronchoscopy, 25 (30.1%) used both instruments to manage complex or repeated foreign bodies, 25 (30.1%) used both to manage patients with cystic fibrosis, and 15 (18.1%) used both to manage simple foreign bodies. Complications were reported by 15.7% of the respondents, the most common being arrhythmia. Familiarity with a case resulting in medicolegal action was reported by 32.2% of the respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Rigid and flexible bronchoscopy have multiple uses in pediatric otolaryngologic practice. Also, flexible bronchoscopy appears to be emerging as a more frequently used diagnostic and therapeutic tool.