Clinical characteristics of tracheotomy patients with difficulty in decannulation in a neurological intensive care unit / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics of patients with difficulty in decannulation after a tracheotomy in a neurological intensive care unit.Methods:A total of 122 patients undergoing tracheotomy were divided into a decannulation success group ( n=73) and a difficult decannulation group ( n=49). The Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) and the revised version of the Coma Recovery Scale (CRS-R) were used to assess the consciousness of those in both groups. Their swallowing ability, airway anatomy, secretion retention and aspiration were documented using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), fiberoptic endoscopic examination, Marianjoy′s 5-point secretion severity scale and the penetration-aspiration scale (PAS). Univariate analysis and multiva-riate logistic regression analysis were conducted to isolate risk factors. Results:The univariate analysis showed that age, status of consciousness, swallowing ability, secretion retention, aspiration and opening of the glottis may be indicators of difficult decannulation after a tracheotomy among those with severe neurological diseases. The logistic regression analysis found that too much retention of pharyngeal secretions and insufficient opening of the glottis should also be treated as risk factors for difficult decannulation with such patients.Conclusions:Too much retention of pharyngeal secretions and poor opening of the glottis are independent risk factors for difficult decannulation after a tracheotomy. Endoscopic examination can play an important role in the prediction and treatment of difficult decannulation.

A comparison of hemodynamic changes after endotracheal intubation by the Optiscope(TM) and the conventional laryngoscope / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Optiscope(TM) is a newly developed video stylet device. This study evaluated and compared the hemodynamic changes observed after endotracheal intubation with video stylet and after conventional laryngoscopic endotracheal intubation. METHODS: Fifty-eight adult patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class 1 or 2, undergoing general anesthesia, were randomized into two groups: one group of patients were intubated using video stylet (n = 29) and the other group were intubated using direct laryngoscope (n = 29). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), POGO (percentage of glottic opening) score, time for intubation and degree of sore throat were recorded. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the SBP, MAP, DBP, HR, and the sore throat incidence between the two groups. Optiscope(TM) produced better POGO scores, but time for intubation was longer than with conventional laryngoscope. CONCLUSIONS: Optiscope(TM), when compared with conventional laryngoscope for intubation, does not modify the hemodynamic response, but it provides a better view of the vocal cords.

A comparison of Bonfils intubation fiberscopy and fiberoptic bronchoscopy in difficult airways assisted with direct laryngoscopy / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the usefulness of Bonfils intubation fiberscope assisted by direct laryngoscopy (BIF-DL) and flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope assisted by direct laryngoscopy (FOB-DL) using video recording in cases of unanticipated difficult intubation with respect to the time required to visualize the vocal cords and place the endotracheal tube. We compared two fiberscopes in patients with authentic difficult airways. METHODS: In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, 40 patients (grade 3 according to grades of difficulty in laryngoscopy), scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to BIF-DL group or FOB-DL group. Number of attempts, time required for visualization of the vocal cord (T1) and placement of the endotracheal tube (T2) from insertion of instrument during the last successful attempt, and duration of scope manipulation during all attempts (T(total)) were recorded. If intubation failed with one method, the other method was tried; these cases were then excluded. The incidence of sore throat and hoarseness was assessed. RESULTS: T1, T2, and T(total) were significantly shorter in BIF-DL group (T1: 21.9 +/- 8.2 sec vs. 80.4 +/- 29.9 sec, P < 0.001, Ttotal: 77.9 +/- 41.2 sec vs. 145.5 +/- 83.9 sec, P = 0.003). In two cases, it was impossible to intubate with BIF-DL, but the procedure was subsequently successful using fibreoptic bronchoscope. CONCLUSIONS: Intubation of difficult airways can be performed more rapidly with BIF-DL, but sometimes it may not be possible to intubate with the scope.

The use of Pentax-Aws(R) for difficult intubation due to postburn contracture: Two cases report / 대한마취과학회지

The causes of difficult intubation associated with post-burn contracture from the face to the upper torso include the limitations of neck movement and opening the mouth. Fiberoptic oral intubation can be the final alternative technique that overcomes those difficulties. However, a small inter-incisor gap about 2 cm, a fixed head or neck position and the large tongue in these cases makes fiberoptic intubation difficult. The Pentax-AWS video display unit (Pentax-AWS(R), Pentax, Japan) (Pentax-AWS) allows indirect visualization of the glottis without a straightened line of orophalyngolaryngeal axis and its attached tracheal tube and this makes the intubation easier. We experienced rapid, easy intubation with Pentax-AWS following multiple attempts of fiberoptic intubation or confirming a bad glottic view with a Macintosh laryngoscope. Further study is needed on the availibility of Pentax-AWS and comparing it with fiberoptic intubation for the management of a difficult airway.

Fiberoptics Assisted Lacrimal Surgery

The endonasal laser lacrimal surgery has provided many advantages. However, the success rate of the primary endonasal DCR has been lower than the established 90% or greater success rate of conventional DCR. Endonasal fiberoptics-assisted lacrimal surgeries(108 DCR and 149 CDCR) were performed with conventional lacrimal surgical instruments and endoscope. The thick bone of the anterior lacrimal crest and half segment of the lacrimal sac were removed with Kerrison punch, and silicone tube intubation was performed. After 8 to 33 months(average 15.6 months) of follow up, intranasal mucosal ostium measured 1.85 mm in diameter. Of the 108 eyes with primary endonasal DCR, the ostium of 86 eyes(79.6%) remained patent. After revision of the failed DCR, the success rate was 96.3%(104 eyes). Of the 61 eyes with primary endonasal DCR which were performed during recent 8 to 20 months, 54 eyes(88.5%) were satisfactory. Of the 149 eyes with CDCR, Jones tubes in 141 eyes(94.6%) functioned well.