Fibreoptic bronchoscopic intubation in elective surgical and dental operations

Difficult or failed intubation may result in hypoxia, aspiration, trauma or death. In these situations fibreoptic bronchoscopic intubation [FBI] is a useful and safe alternative. However, elective practice is required, starting on manikins and later on patients with normal oropharyngeal and laryngeal anatomy prior to attempting to use this technique on patients with an airway emergency and/or a "predicted" difficult intubation

Ankle block for diabetic foot surgery

Forty-one patients undergoing foot surgery due to complications from diabetes were anesthetized using the ankle block technique. All patients were ranked in the American Society of Anesthesiologists grades II and III. The study included both male and female patients ranging in age from 30 to 86 years [mean 56.45 +/- 10.77]. The duration of surgery was 35-60 min [mean 49.20 +/- 6.39]. Eleven patients required 2-7 repeat surgeries. Twenty-six patients were given local anesthetic [18- 40 ml of lignocaine; 0.75%]. Fifteen patients, judged to be apprehensive, were also sedated using intravenous injections of diazepam, 5 mg, with or without alfentanil, 0.5 mg. The block was fully successful on 61/62 occasions [98.4%]. One block was partially effective. There were no complications intraoperatively or postoperatively