Symptomatic axillary hematoma after ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block in a patient with undiagnosed upper extremity mycotic aneurysms.

We present a case of axillary hematoma complicating an ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block in a patient with undiagnosed mycotic aneurysms of the peripheral arteries. Mycotic aneurysm is a rare medical condition with well-identified risk factors. When performing regional anesthesia in patients with these risk factors, clinicians should have a high degree of suspicion about the possible existence of vascular anomalies. A preprocedure Doppler study of the block area and real-time guidance of the needle using ultrasound may be useful.

Effect of manual in-line stabilization of the cervical spine in adults on the rate of difficult orotracheal intubation by direct laryngoscopy: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Although manual in-line stabilization (MILS) is commonly used during endotracheal intubation in patients with either known or suspected cervical spine instability, the effect of MILS on orotracheal intubation is poorly documented. This study evaluated the rate of failed tracheal intubation in a fixed time interval with MILS. METHODS: Two hundred elective surgical patients were randomized into two groups. In the MILS group, the patient's head was stabilized in a neutral position by grasping the patient's mastoid processes to minimize any head movement during tracheal intubation. In the control group, the patient's head rested in an optimal position for tracheal intubation. A 30-sec period was allowed to complete tracheal intubation with a #3 Macintosh laryngoscope blade. The primary endpoint was the rate of failed tracheal intubation at 30 sec. Secondary endpoints included tracheal intubation time and the Cormack & Lehane grade of laryngoscopy. RESULTS: Patient characteristics were similar with respect to demographic data and risk factors for difficult tracheal intubation. The rate of failed tracheal intubation at 30 sec was 50% (47/94) in the MILS group compared to 5.7% (6/105) in the control group (P < 0.0001). Laryngoscopic grades 3 and 4 were more frequently observed in the MILS group. Mean times for successful tracheal intubation were 15.8 +/- 8.5 sec and 8.7 +/- 4.6 sec for the MILS and control groups, respectively (mean difference 7.1, CI(95%) 5.0-9.3, P < 0.0001). All patients who failed tracheal intubation in the MILS group were successfully intubated when MILS was removed. CONCLUSION: In patients with otherwise normal airways, MILS increases the tracheal intubation failure rate at 30 sec and worsens laryngeal visualization during direct laryngoscopy.

Effect of epidural analgesia in patients with traumatic rib fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: A consensus group recently proposed epidural analgesia as the optimal analgesic modality for patients with multiple traumatic rib fractures. However, its beneficial effects are not consistently recognized in the literature. We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) of epidural analgesia in adult patients with traumatic rib fractures. METHODS: A systematic search strategy was applied to MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and to the annual meeting of relevant societies (up to July 2008). All randomized controlled trials comparing epidural analgesia with other analgesic modalities in adult patients with traumatic rib fractures were included. Primary outcomes were mortality, ICU length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS and duration of mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: Eight studies (232 patients) met eligibility criteria. Epidural analgesia did not significantly affect mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% CI, 0.3, 9.3, 3 studies, n = 89), ICU LOS (weighted mean difference [WMD] -3.7 days, 95% CI, -11.4, 4.0, 4 studies, n = 135), hospital LOS (WMD -6.7, 95% CI, -19.8, 6.4, 4 studies, n = 140) or duration of mechanical ventilation (WMD -7.5, 95% CI, -16.3, 1.2, 3 studies, n = 101). Duration of mechanical ventilation was decreased when only studies using thoracic epidural analgesia with local anesthetics were evaluated (WMD -4.2, 95% CI, -5.5, -2.9, 2 studies, n = 73). However, hypotension was significantly associated with the use of thoracic epidural analgesia with local anesthetics (OR 13.76, 95% CI, 2.89, 65.51, 3 studies, n = 99). CONCLUSIONS: No significant benefit of epidural analgesia on mortality, ICU and hospital LOS was observed compared to other analgesic modalities in adult patients with traumatic rib fractures. However, there may be a benefit on the duration of mechanical ventilation with the use of thoracic epidural analgesia with local anesthetics. Further research is required to evaluate the benefits and harms of epidural analgesia in this population before being considered as a standard of care therapy.

Stability of norepinephrine infusions prepared in dextrose and normal saline solutions.

PURPOSE: Norepinephrine (NE) infusions are commonly used in the intensive care unit and in the operating room. Data on long term stability of NE solutions are lacking. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the stability of NE, in dextrose (5%) in water (D5W) and in normal saline (NS) solutions, for a period up to seven days. METHODS: We prepared norepinephrine solutions in quadruplicate, by aseptically diluting 1 mg NE in 250 mL of D5W or NS and 4 mg NE in 250 mL of D5W or NS (final concentrations, 4 microg x mL(-1) and 16 micro x mL(-1), respectively) and stored the solutions at room temperature under ambient light. We sampled the solutions, in duplicate, at times 0, 24, 48, 72, 120, and 168 hr and stored them at -80 degrees C for later assay. Norepinephrine concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (coefficient of variation 4.6%). Statistical analysis was done by nonparametric, repeated measures ANOVA (Friedman test). RESULTS: There was no significant decrease in NE concentration for either, NE 4 microg x mL(-1) in D5W or NS (P = 0.09 and 0.11, respectively) or for NE 16 microg x mL(-1) in D5W or NS (P = 0.18 and 0.40, respectively). The ratios of NE concentration at 168 hr, compared to baseline, were 95.7% and 96.4%, for NE 4 microg x mL(-1) in D5W and NS, respectively, and 104.5% and 96.4%, for NE 16 microg x mL(-1) in D5W and NS, respectively. CONCLUSION: Norepinephrine solutions, in concentrations commonly used in the clinical setting, are chemically stable for seven days, at room temperature and under ambient light, when diluted either in D5W or NS.

Complications associated with the Esophageal-Tracheal Combitube in the pre-hospital setting.

PURPOSE: The Esophageal-Tracheal Combitube (Combitube) is widely used for the management of the airway during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the pre-hospital setting. Although serious complications have been reported with the Combitube, there is a paucity of data relative to the frequency and nature of such complications. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence and the nature of complications associated to the Combitube in the pre-hospital setting. METHODS: Since 1993, in the Quebec City Health Region, the basic life support treatment algorithm for emergency medical technicians has included the use of a Combitube as the primary airway device for management of all patients presenting with cardiac or respiratory arrest. The database of the emergency coordination services was searched for the period between 1993 and 2003 (2,981 patients). Only those patients who survived at least 12 hr were included. Medical records of these patients were reviewed to identify complications related to the use of the Combitube. RESULTS: Two-hundred-eighty (280) patients were identified. Fifty-eight (58) patients (20.7%, confidence interval (CI)95%=16.0%-25.4%) presented 69 complications: aspiration pneumonitis (n=31), pulmonary aspiration (n=16), pneumothorax (n=6), upper airway bleeding (n=4), esophageal laceration (n=3), sc emphysema (n=2), esophageal perforation and mediastinitis (n=2), tongue edema (n=2), vocal cord injury (n=1), tracheal injury (n=1), and pneumomediastinum (n=1). Thirteen of these complications (12 patients, 4.3%, CI95%=2.0%-6.3%) were judged as most likely resulting from trauma associated with insertion of the Combitube. CONCLUSION: The use of the Combitube in the pre-hospital setting is associated with a notable incidence of serious complications.

Postoperative complications in patients with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a genetic disease with autosomal dominant transmission particularly common in Quebec where its prevalence is about 1:1000. The main features are bilateral ptosis of the eyelids and dysphagia. These symptoms are frequently treated surgically by levator palpebrae resection (LPR) and cricopharyngeal myotomy (CPM). The objectives of this retrospective chart review were to describe the postoperative complications in OPMD patients undergoing LPR or CPM and to determine their incidence. METHODS: Medical records of all OPMD patients who had either LPR or CPM between 1997 and 2002 were reviewed. The following complications were collected: death, pneumonia, aspiration pneumonitis, airway obstruction, reintubation, and severe coughing and choking caused by profuse secretions. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen surgeries on 92 OPMD patients were studied. Fifty-nine were LPR under general anesthesia (LPR-GA) and 22 were LPR under local anesthesia (LPR-LA). Thirty-three surgeries were CPM, all under general anesthesia. There was no death or reintubation. Patients who had LPR-LA had shorter postanesthesia care unit (P<0.001) and ambulatory surgery unit (P<0.001) stays than those who had LPR-GA. Complications were more frequent after CPM than LPR-GA (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The complication rate after LPR was low. Both local and general anesthesia are safe alternatives in OPMD patients operated for LPR. Patients having CPM presented more respiratory complications than those having LPR.

Cricoid pressure does not increase the rate of failed intubation by direct laryngoscopy in adults.

BACKGROUND: Cricoid pressure (CP) is applied during induction of anesthesia to prevent regurgitation of gastric content and pulmonary aspiration. However, it has been suggested that CP makes tracheal intubation more difficult. This double-blind randomized study evaluated the effect of CP on orotracheal intubation by direct laryngoscopy in adults. METHODS: Seven hundred adult patients undergoing general anesthesia for elective surgery were randomly assigned to have a standardized CP (n = 344) or a sham CP (n = 356) during laryngoscopy and intubation. After anesthesia induction and complete muscle relaxation, a 30-s period was allowed to complete intubation with a Macintosh No. 3 laryngoscope blade. The primary endpoint was the rate of failed intubation at 30 s. The secondary endpoints included the intubation time, the Cormack and Lehane grade of laryngoscopic view, and the Intubation Difficulty Scale score. RESULTS: Groups were similar for demographic data and risk factors for difficult intubation. The rates of failed intubation at 30 s were comparable for the two groups: 15 of 344 (4.4%) and 13 of 356 (3.7%) in the CP and sham CP groups, respectively (P = 0.70). The grades of laryngoscopic view and the Intubation Difficulty Scale score were also comparable. Median intubation time was slightly longer in the CP group than in the sham CP group (11.3 and 10.4 s, respectively, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CP applied by trained personnel does not increase the rate of failed intubation. Hence CP should not be avoided for fear of increasing the difficulty of intubation when its use is indicated.

Nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic surgery are not associated with an increased peripheral release of serotonin.

PURPOSE: To determine whether patients suffering postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) present a different serotonin release pattern from those who do not present this complication. METHODS: Forty-eight consecutive women undergoing outpatient laparoscopic tubal ligation were enrolled in this prospective, cumulative case-control study. The study compared serotonin activity in 15 patients totally free of emetic symptoms (asymptomatic group) and, among patients with PONV (n = 33), those 15 who presented the most severe symptoms (PONV group). Patients were anesthetized with a regimen including sufentanil (0.1-0.3 microg x kg(-1)) plus thiopental (3-5 mg x kg(-1)) for induction and isoflurane (0.6-1%) in nitrous oxide (60%) for maintenance. Peripheral serotonin activity was assessed by measurement with high-performance liquid chromatography of serotonin's principal urinary metabolite: 5-hydroxyindoacetic acid (5-HIAA) corrected for urinary creatinine. RESULTS: The preoperative and postoperative urinary 5-HIAA:creatinine ratios were 6.9 ng x microg(-1) (confidence interval; CI 95%, 2.7-11.0) and 5.9 ng x microg(-1) (CI 95%, 2.4-9.4) respectively in the asymptomatic group (P = 0.69), and were 5.1 ng x microg(-1) (CI 95%, 2.5-7.7) and 5.6 ng x micro(-1) (CI 95%, 3.4-7.7) respectively in the PONV group (P = 0.75). There was also no difference between groups in the variation of 5-HIAA:creatinine ratios from the preoperative to the postoperative period (P = 0.21). CONCLUSION: PONV after laparoscopic tubal ligation are not associated with an increased urinary excretion of serotonin metabolites. Patients with severe PONV present a peripheral serotonin release comparable to asymptomatic patients.

An in vivo evaluation of the mycobacterial filtration efficacy of three breathing filters used in anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The use of breathing filters (BFs) has been recommended to protect the anesthesia apparatus in proven or suspected cases of tuberculosis. Some investigators have also suggested the use of BF to alleviate the need to change anesthesia breathing circuits after each case. This study evaluated the filtration efficacy of three different BFs to prevent mycobacterial contamination of breathing circuits in a model that uses a test animal. METHODS: Ten Pall BB25A (pleated hydrophobic) (Pall Canada Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada), six DAR Barrierbac S (felted electrostatic; Mallinckrodt DAR, Mirandola, Italy), and six Baxter Airlife (felted electrostatic; Baxter Canada, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) BFs were studied. For each BF tested, 20 ml of a high concentration suspension of Mycobacterium chelonae (range, 2.0 x 10 to 9.0 x 10 colony-forming units/ml) was nebulized during 2 h at the proximal end of the endotracheal tube of anesthetized pigs. At the end of the nebulization period, the BFs were sampled for culture. The titer reduction value (number of microorganisms challenging the BF divided by the number of microorganisms recovered downstream of the BF) and the removal efficiency (difference between the number of microorganisms challenging the BF and the number of microorganisms recovered downstream of the BF, divided by the number of microorganisms challenging the BF) were calculated. RESULTS: The median titer reduction values were 5.6 x 10, 6.0 x 10, and 8.0 x 10 (P < 0.0005), and the median removal efficiencies were greater than 99.999%, greater than 99.999%, and 100% (P = not significant) for the DAR Barrierbac S, the Baxter Airlife, and the Pall BB25A, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among the three BFs studied, only the Pall BB25A completely prevented the passage of M. chelonae, thus protecting the anesthesia breathing circuit from mycobacterial contamination.