Successful intubation using video laryngoscope in a child with CHARGE syndrome: A case report

CHARGE syndrome is a rare genetic disorder with CHD7 gene mutation. CHARGE is an acronym for coloboma (C), heart disease (H), atresia of choanae (A), retardation of growth (R), genitourinary malformation (G), and ear abnormalities (E). Patients with CHARGE syndrome need to undergo many surgeries due to their various congenital anomalies. Since airway abnormalities frequently accompany CHARGE syndrome, general anesthesia remains a challenge. Here we report a case of difficult intubation in a 35-month-old boy with CHARGE syndrome during general anesthesia and the experience of successful intubation using D-blade of C-MAC® video laryngoscope.

Advantages of Using Ultrasound in Regional Anesthesia for a Super-Super Obese Patient / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

In this case report, we describe the use of ultrasound in the administration regional anesthesia for a super-super obese patient. A 23-year-old female patient (height 167.2 cm, weight 191.5 kg, body mass index 68.6 kg/m²) was admitted to the hospital for surgical repair of an anterior talofibular ligament rupture. We used ultrasound to help facilitate the administration of regional anesthesia. In the sagittal view of the lumbar spine, (with the patient in a sitting position) we were able to identify the border between the sacrum and the lumbar vertebral; in the transverse view, we were able to identify the transverse process, posterior dura, vertebral body, and the distance from the skin to the posterior dura. After skin marking, regional anesthesia was successfully performed. Based on this case study, we suggest that ultrasound can be very useful in regional anesthesia for severely obese patients.

The effect of gender and age on postoperative pain in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND: Gender and age are known factors that affect postoperative pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gender and age on postoperative pain and analgesic consumptions after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: We studied 240 adult patients (120 female patients and 120 male patients) who underwent elective 3-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. The numerical rating scale (NRS) scores were assessed before surgery, when the patient arrived in the recovery room, and at 8, 16, and 24 h after surgery. Analgesic consumptions in the recovery room and at 24 h postoperatively were evaluated. We compared the NRS scores and quantity of analgesics between the gender groups and the age groups (20–45, 46–64, and ≥ 65 years old). RESULTS: Compared to male patients, female patients had higher NRS scores (6 [5, 7] vs. 5 [4, 6]; P = 0.001) and required a higher dose of fentanyl (0.94 ± 0.47 µg/kg vs. 0.79 ± 0.41 µg/kg; P = 0.011) in the recovery room. The younger female patients (20–45 and 46–64 years old) required a higher dose of fentanyl than those older than 65 years of age in the recovery room. CONCLUSIONS: Female patients exhibit higher NRS scores and greater consumptions of analgesics than male patients immediately postoperatively. Younger female patients require more analgesics than elderly patients in the recovery room.

A comparison of clinical performance between i-gel and endotracheal tube in pediatric laparoscopic surgeries

BACKGROUND: The current evidence on the safe use of supraglottic airway for pediatric laparoscopic surgeries is limited. Although i-gel has been successfully used in adult laparoscopic surgeries, to our knowledge, no studies have compared it to the endotracheal tube (ETT) in pediatric laparoscopic surgeries. This study evaluated the effectiveness of i-gel over ETT with regards to the respiratory and hemodynamic parameters during pediatric laparoscopic surgeries. METHODS: A total of 60 pediatric patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgeries were randomly allocated to either the i-gel or ETT groups. Anesthetics used included ketamine, sevoflurane, and rocuronium. The primary outcome measured was the peak airway pressure (PAP) and the secondary outcomes measured were leak fraction, end-tidal CO₂, respiratory rate, insertion time, heart rate, blood pressure and perioperative complications. RESULTS: The PAP during surgeries was higher in the ETT group than in the i-gel group. There were no statistically significant differences in the leak fraction, end-tidal CO₂, and respiratory rate. The i-gel group had a shorter insertion time compared with the ETT group. The changes in heart rate were comparable in both groups. However, systolic and diastolic pressures were higher in the ETT group following intubation, before and after the creation of pneumoperitoneum. The incidence of perioperative complications was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The i-gel provided adequate ventilation with lower PAP compared with ETT. In addition, it provided minimal hemodynamic changes compared with ETT. Therefore, the i-gel may provide a suitable alternative to ETT in pediatric laparoscopic surgeries.

Coronary artery spasm as the probable cause of cardiac arrest immediately after the induction of spinal anesthesia: A case report

A 72-year-old man underwent spinal anesthesia for artificial urinary sphincter placement for urinary incontinence. After the block level was confirmed below T6, 1 g of cefotetan, which had not shown any reaction on skin test, was administered as a prophylactic antibiotic. The patient began complaining of chest discomfort and dyspnea shortly after injection. ST elevation appeared on the electrocardiogram and the patient's pulse could not be palpated. Accordingly, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed for 5 minutes; the patient recovered spontaneous circulation. The patient was diagnosed as experienced coronary artery spasm by coronary angiography with spasm test. Because coronary artery spasm can also develop in patients with no history of coronary artery disease and under spinal anesthesia, careful observation, suspicion of coronary artery spasm and prompt response to hemodynamic and electrocardiogram changes are necessary.

A double-knotted pulmonary artery catheter with large loop in the right internal jugular vein: A case report / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Knotting of a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) is a rare, but well-known complication of pulmonary artery (PA) catheterization. We report a case of a double-knotted PAC with a large loop in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing liver transplantation, which has been rarely reported in the literature. A PAC was advanced under pressure wave form guidance. PAC insertion was repeatedly attempted and the PAC was inserted 80 cm deep even though PAC should be normally inserted 45 to 55 cm deep. However, since no wave change was observed, we began deflating and pulling the balloon. At the 30-cm mark, the PAC could no longer be pulled. Fluoroscopy confirmed knotting of the PAC after surgery (The loop-formed PAC was shown in right internal jugular vein); thus, it was removed. For safe PA catheterization, deep insertion or repeated attempts should be avoided when the catheter cannot be easily inserted into the pulmonary artery. If possible, the insertion of PACs can be performed more safely by monitoring the movement of the catheter under fluoroscopy or transesophageal echocardiography.

Risk factors of emergence agitation after general anesthesia in adult patients

BACKGROUND: Emergence agitation (EA) is one of the most common complications after general anesthesia. The goal of this retrospective study was to determine the risk factors of EA in adult patients who underwent general anesthesia. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the medical records of 5,358 adult patients who stayed in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) of our hospital after general anesthesia during the 1-year period from January 2014 to December 2014. Psychological and behavioral status in the PACU was determined by the Aono four-point scale. Grade of 3 or 4 were considered as manifestations of EA. Multiple variables assessed EA risk factors. RESULTS: Two-hundred-forty-five patients (4.6%) developed EA. In multivariate analysis, male gender (OR = 1.626, P = 0.001), older age (OR = 1.010, P = 0.035), abdominal surgery (OR = 1.633, P = 0.002), spine surgery (OR = 1.777, P = 0.015), longer duration of anesthesia (OR = 1.002, P < 0.001), postoperative nausea and vomiting (OR = 20.164, P < 0.001) and postoperative pain (OR = 3.614, P < 0.001) were risk factors of EA. CONCLUSIONS: Male gender and older patients were risk factors of EA after general anesthesia in adult patients. Careful attention is needed for patients who receive abdominal or spine surgery, and who receive prolonged anesthesia. Adequate postoperative analgesia and antiemetic therapy should be provided to reduce the incidence of EA.