Comparison of polyvinyl chloride, curved reinforced, and straight reinforced endotracheal tubes for tracheal intubation through Airtraq™ laryngoscope in anesthetized patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Airtraq™ video laryngoscope facilitates tracheal intubations in patients with difficult airway or cervical spine immobilization. However, curved reinforced tracheal tube and straight reinforced tracheal tubes are useful where neck of the patient is likely to be moved or flexed or if patient is in prone position, wherein nonreinforced endotracheal tube (ETT) might get kinked and/or compressed. We compared intubation success rate of curved and straight reinforced tracheal tubes with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tracheal tube using Airtaq™ laryngoscope in paralyzed and anesthetized patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Totally, 120 patients underwent random allocation to one of the three groups using computer-generated randomization table. Patients were intubated with appropriate size and type of ETT using Airtraq™ after obtaining optimal glottis view. Experienced anesthesiologist performed endotracheal intubation and unblinded observer noted down success and ease of intubation. RESULTS: Patients intubated with PVC tube (100%) had higher rates of successful intubation and shorter intubation time (4 s), in comparison to intubation with curved reinforced (92.5%) and straight reinforced tubes (SRTs) (85%) using Airtraq™ laryngoscope (AL). However, there was no statistical difference in the incidence of airway trauma among all the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: PVC tracheal tube is significantly superior to both curved and SRTs for intubation using AL.

Safe intubation in Morquio-Brailsford syndrome: A challenge for the anesthesiologist.

Morquio-Brailsford syndrome is a type of mucopolysaccharidoses. It is a rare disease with features of short stature, atlantoaxial instability with risk of cord damage, odontoid hypoplasia, pectus carinatum, spine deformities, hepatomegaly, and restrictive lung disease. Neck movements during intubation are associated with the risk of quadriparesis due to cervical instability. This, along with the distortion of the airway anatomy due to deposition of mucopolysaccharides makes airway management arduous. We present our experience in management of difficult airway in a 3-year-old girl with Morquio-Brailsford syndrome posted for magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography scan of a suspected unstable cervical spine. As utmost sagacity during intubation is required, the child was intubated inside operation theatre in the presence of experienced anesthesiologists and then shifted to the peripheral location. Intubation was done with an endotracheal tube railroaded over a pediatric fibreoptic bronchoscope passed through the lumen of a classic laryngeal mask airway, keeping head in neutral position.

Comparison of Nasopharyngeal Temperature Measured at Fossa of Rosenmuller and Blindly Inserted Temperature Probe with Esophageal Temperature: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Monitoring body temperature and maintaining normothermia are now essentially the standard-of-care during anesthesia. This study was designed to compare the temperature measured by nasopharyngeal temperature probes inserted by landmark method and fiberscope-guided method with esophageal temperature. We hypothesized that placing the temperature probe at the level of fossa of Rosenmuller will reflect core temperature as it is in close relationship to the brain. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-five patients aged 18-60 years were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Two methods were used in our study to place the temperature probes. In landmark-based method, we inserted temperature probe through nostril for a depth equal to philtrum-tragus distance. In fiberscope-guided method, the temperature probe was inserted into nostril and its tip was positioned at fossa of Rosenmuller under fiberscope guidance. RESULTS: The nasopharyngeal temperatures were recorded at seven time intervals along with esophageal temperature. Mean temperatures were calculated at three different sites. The degree of agreement between two methods at seven time intervals was also calculated. Both methods had good correlation with esophageal temperature. Depth of insertion of temperature probes was documented. There was difference in depth of insertion of temperature probe of around 4.26 cm between two methods, probe length from philtrum to tragus (D1) being longer than distance from fossa of Rosenmuller to nares (D2). CONCLUSIONS: Nasopharyngeal temperature measured at fossa of Rosenmuller with probe inserted by fiberscope-guided method and that measured by landmark-based method with probe inserted according to philtrum-tragus distance shows good correlation with esophageal temperature.