Prediction of difficult tracheal intubation in Turkish patients: a multi-center methodological study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Preoperative evaluation is important in the detection of patients at risk for difficult airway management. It is still unclear whether true prediction is possible and which variables should be chosen for evaluation. The aim of this prospective, multi-centre study was to investigate the incidence of difficult intubation, the sensitivity and positive predictive values of clinical screening tests and whether combining two or more of these tests will improve the prediction of difficult intubation in Turkish patients. METHODS: Seven study sites from six regions in Turkey participated in this study. One thousand six hundred and seventy-four ASA physical status I-III patients, scheduled to undergo elective surgery under general anaesthesia, were included. RESULTS: The incidence of difficult intubation was 4.8% and increased with age (P < 0.05). The incidence of difficult intubation was significantly higher in patients who had a Mallampati III or IV score, a decreased average thyromental and sternomental distance, decreased mouth opening, or decreased protrusion of the mandible (P < 0.05). Mouth opening and Mallampati III-IV were found to be the most sensitive criteria when used alone (43% and 35%, respectively). Combination of tests did not improve these results. CONCLUSIONS: There is still no individual test or a combination of tests that predict difficult intubations accurately. Tests with higher specificity despite low positive predictive value are needed.

Total intravenous anesthesia for evacuation of a hydatidiform mole and termination of pregnancy in a patient with thyrotoxicosis.

Clinical hyperthyroidism is found in approximately 5% of women with a hydatidiform mole, as human chorionic gonadotropin secreted by molar tissue is structurally similar to thyroid-stimulating hormone. A hydatidiform mole occasionally presents with a co-existing viable fetus. Surgical evacuation may be indicated for significant hemorrhage or preeclampsia. Perioperative management in the presence of hyperthyroidism may be complicated by a thyroid storm. We report a case of total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil, combined with an esmolol infusion, to control sympathetic hyperactivity during surgery.

The choice of anaesthetic technique for caesarean section does not affect plasma beta-endorphin levels in the neonate.

Umbilical cord blood was collected immediately after parturition in full term neonates during Caesarean section under either general or epidural anaesthesia. Using a radioimmunoassay technique, beta-endorphin concentrations were measured in the plasma of neonates and Apgar scores were evaluated. The mean value of beta-endorphin was 56.80 +/- 14.35 (pg mL-1) in the general anaesthesia group, and 53.17 +/- 10.58 (pg mL-1) in the epidural anaesthesia group (N.S.).

Morphine/prilocaine combination for intravenous regional anesthesia.

In this study we aimed to investigate clinically whether morphine acts on the peripheral nervous system directly. Twenty adult patients, who were scheduled for upper extremity surgery under tourniquet, had intravenous regional anesthesia. They were divided into two groups: one group was given 30 ml of 1% prilocaine plus 10 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride (P group) and the other group was given 30 ml of 1% prilocaine plus 6 mg morphine sulfate in 10 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride (P/M group). The onset of analgesia and anesthesia and recovery from anesthesia and analgesia were investigated in both groups. In the P/M group, the onset of analgesia and anesthesia was statistically faster and the recovery from anesthesia and analgesia was statistically slower than in the P group (P < 0.05). We conclude that morphine is clinically effective in the peripheral nervous system at this dosage range.

Anesthesia in Che'diak-Higashi syndrome--case report.

Che'diak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a lethal, progressive, autosomal recessive, systemic disorder associated with oculocutaneous albinism, photopobia, nystagmus, massive leukocyte inclusions (giant lysosomes), histiocytic infiltration of multiple body organs, development of pancytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, recurrent or persistent bacterial infections, and a possible predisposition to development of malignant lymphoma. This rare disorder of children characterized by impaired resistance to bacterial infection leading to early demise. This syndrome is rarely seen. We are presenting this case report to discuss a patient with Che'diak-Higashi syndrome, who was scheduled for splenectomy in our clinic.

The addition of sodium bicarbonate to prilocaine solution during i.v. regional anesthesia.

A comparison of plain prilocaine and bicarbonated prilocaine in intravenous regional anesthesia was studied in 30 patients undergoing upper extremity surgery. The patients were divided into two groups: one group was given anesthesia in the form of 1% prilocaine and the other group was given 1% prilocaine plus sodium bicarbonate. The onset of analgesia and anesthesia and recovery from analgesia and anesthesia were investigated in both groups. Bicarbonated prilocaine produced faster onset of analgesia when compared with plain prilocaine (P less than 0.01). The onset of anesthesia and recovery from analgesia and anesthesia were not statistically different between the two groups. Clinically, the intensity of anesthesia was better when bicarbonated prilocaine solution was used instead of plain prilocaine. We conclude that bicarbonated prilocaine is better than plain prilocaine during IVRA.