Evaluation of different doses of dexmedetomidine for awake fibreoptic nasotracheal intubation in patients undergoing oromaxillofacial and oral malignancy surgeries: A randomised, double-blind study.

Background and Aims: In patients undergoing cancer surgeries with anticipated difficult airway, awake fibreoptic nasotracheal intubation (AFONI) is critical for securing the airway. However, different doses of dexmedetomidine (DEX) are yet to be evaluated in these patients. Thus, we compared three doses of DEX for AFONI in patients undergoing oromaxillofacial and oral malignancy surgeries. Methods: In this randomised, double-blind study, 90 patients aged 18-60 years of either gender, with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I/II, and undergoing elective oromaxillofacial and oral malignancy surgeries were randomised to three groups: Group D1 (0.5 µg/kg DEX), Group D2 (1 µg/kg DEX), and Group D3 (1.5 µg/kg DEX). The primary outcome measure was the airway obstruction score. Secondary outcome measures were intubation scores (including vocal movement, coughing, and limb movements) and a 5-point fibreoptic intubation comfort score. Sedation was assessed using the Ramsay sedation score (RSS). One-way ANOVA and Chi-square test were used to assess the association between quantitative and qualitative variables, respectively. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The airway obstruction score was comparable between the groups (P = 0.78). Similarly, vocal movement (P = 0.15), coughing (P = 0.31), limb movement (P = 0.51), and 5-point fibreoptic intubation comfort score (P = 0.49) did not differ between the groups. The mean RSS was significantly greater in Group D3 than in Groups D1 and D2 (P = 0.001). Conclusions: In combination with topical spray and airway block, all three doses of DEX resulted in comparable airway obstruction scores and thus provided favourable conditions for AFONI.

Current practice pattern among anaesthesiologists for difficult airway management: A nationwide cross-sectional survey.

Background and Aims: The practice patterns for airway management vary among anaesthesiologists, depending on various setups and geographical divides. This survey assessed practice patterns in unanticipated difficult intubation and cannot intubate or cannot ventilate (CICV) situations/complete ventilation failure among Indian anaesthesiologists'. Methods: A validated questionnaire of 22 items related to practice preferences for airway management among anaesthesiologists was sent to Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists members online through Google Forms and distributed manually to delegates in continuing medical education programme. Results: A total of 535 responses were obtained and analysed. In unanticipated difficult laryngoscopy and intubation, the order of preference for alternative airway devices was video laryngoscope (VL, 60.1%), intubating laryngeal mask airway/laryngeal mask airway (23.5%), fibreoptic bronchoscope (13.5%) and optical stylets (1.2%). Advanced difficult airway devices were unavailable in most nursing homes and government non-teaching hospitals. Seventy per cent of respondents experienced CICV situations at least once, most during head and neck surgeries. In CICV situations, the order of choice for the front-of-neck airway access was cricothyroidotomy (CT) by narrow bore cannula (48.9%), tracheostomy by the surgeon (30%), Seldinger CT (12.5%), open surgical CT (5.4%) and scalpel bougie CT (3.2%). Conclusion: The VL was the most preferred airway rescue device in unanticipated difficult intubation, and intravenous catheter cricothyroidotomy was the most selected technique in CICV situations.