Expiratory Valve Malfunction Detected Immediately after Endotracheal Intubation: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

The malfunction of an expiratory unidirectional valve (EV) can cause rebreath of expired gas, barotraumas, or ventilatory failure during the general anesthesia. The following is a report on a case of ventilatoryfailure caused by an EV that failed to open during the induction of anesthesia. A 57-year-old man was scheduled for the biopsy of a vocal cord polyp. After intubation, we could not detect the evidence of ventilation through the endotracheal tube. Suspecting the esophageal intubation, we administered extubation. The patient was still having difficulty in ventilating even after a retrial of intubation. Then we discovered the EV was failing to open properly with ventilation and thus not able to function properly. The common cause of ventilatory failure immediately after intubation is malposition of an endotracheal tube, like esophageal intubation, and equipment failure also has reported. Accordingly, we should remember possible causes of ventilatory failure after intubations and routine conscientious inspection of the ventilator.

The Influence of Nitrous Oxide on Postoperative Bowel Function Recovery for Gynecologic Patients

BACKGROUND: Nitrous oxide may cause distension of the intestine. We studied the influence of nitrous oxide on the recovery of bowel function and the incidence of complications of bowel distension. METHODS: Fifty patients scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy were anesthetized with sevoflurane and oxygen and were randomly assigned to be given 50% nitrous oxide (n = 25) or 50% air (n = 25) in two groups. A surgeon assessed the closing condition. Patients reported pain, nausea and vomiting after surgery. The lapse of time before the passing of flatus was recorded. RESULTS: There was no difference between the two groups with respect to body weight, duration of surgery, alfentanil and atracurium requirements, pain score, nausea and vomiting, and closing condition. The time elapsing before the passing of flatus was significantly greater for the patients that received nitrous oxide. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that avoiding nitrous oxide administration during prolonged intraabdominal surgery shortens the time for recovery of bowel function.

Delayed Cardiac Arrest after Brachial Plexus Block in a Patient Taking a beta-Adrenoreceptor Antagonist and Calcium Channel Blocker: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

A Bezold-Jarisch reflex (BJR) mediated vasovagal syncope is the most common neurally mediated reflex characterized by the sudden failure of the autonomic nervous system and have been reported in patients undergoing a peripheral nerve block. The concomitant administration of a beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist and calcium channel blocker have a synergistic suppressant effect on the autonomic nervous system and interact with the anesthetics significantly. We report a case of a 57-year-old female patient with essential hypertension controlled with lercanidipine and carvedilol. Cardiac arrest developed with spontaneous respiration 50 min after the brachial plexus block to remove a plate in the humerus. Epinephrine was administered and the pulse immediately returned to a normal sinus rhythm. This event might be vasovagal syncope mediated by BJR, and realted to the antihypertensive medication used.

Effectiveness of Left Infrascapular Skin Temperature Monitoring in the ICU / 대한구급학회지

BACKGOUND: Many sites are used to measure the body temperature and each site has different physiologic and practical importance. Several types of skin temperature monitoring have been used as simple, inexpensive and viable alternatives in many settings. In the operating area, it is difficult to insert a temperature probe during operation. The object of this study was to compare the difference and the correlation between the temperature of the left infrascapular skin region and temperatures of axilla, nasopharynx and rectum, METHODS: Forty-two adult patients who were admitted at surgical ICU were studied. After covering the bed with insulator and sheets, patients were placed in supine position. Temperature monitoring was done at the same time using four temperature probes from two bedside patient monitors in the same patient. The temperatures were measured twice at 30 minutes after application of the temperature probe at 10 minute intervals and the average temperature was recorded. RESULTS: The differences between skin temperature and rectal, nasopharyngeal, and axillary temperatures were -0.64+/-0.21degrees C (p<0.05), -0.40+/-0.21degrees C, and 0.24+/-0.21degrees C respectively. The lineal correlation between skin temperature and rectal, nasopharyngeal, and axillary temperatures were 0.839, 0.854, and 0.819, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the monitoring of the skin temperature at the left infrascapular skin region is well correlated with the nasopharyngeal, rectal and axillary temperatures. And it will be an easy, simple and safe method which can be used for the patients who are alert but need continuous temperature monitoring in the intensive care unit and as well as for the patients who are in the middle of operation.