Anaesthetic Management of 2 Micropreemies with Difficult Airway: Case Report and Review of Literature.

The infants are explicitly vulnerable to develop anaesthesia-related complications, with micropreemies being at the end of the spectrum because of their unique morphological and physiological features. Airway changes in pediatric patients are most exaggerated in these tiny infants and their immature lungs provide a little reserve, and therefore, securing airways can be challenging in this population. Moreover, many devices available for managing difficult airways in adults are not available for use in this miniature version. Videolaryngoscopes are a useful addition to anaesthesiologists' armamentarium but for micropreemies, size of videolaryngoscope can be a limiting factor as no vide- olaryngoscope comes in "00" size. The technique of videolaryngoscope may need to be modified in these patients. Regional anaesthesia can be an invaluable component of their perioperative care to facilitate a smooth recovery. The successful management of these vulnerable neonates requires a multidisciplinary team approach to maintain perioperative homeostasis of their immature organ systems.

Comparative efficacy of C-MAC® Miller videolaryngoscope versus McGrath® MAC size "1" videolaryngoscope in neonates and infants undergoing surgical procedures under general anesthesia: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Various anatomical and physiological factors make intubation in infants challenging. C-MAC videolaryngoscope shows better results as compared to the conventional direct laryngoscopy for intubation in infants. McGrath MAC size-1 with a disposable Macintosh type blade has recently been introduced for use in infants and has not been formally evaluated in this population. AIMS: This study aims to evaluate the intubation characteristics of C-MAC Miller and McGrath MAC in neonates and infants with the primary objective to compare the time with the two devices. METHODS: After informed consent from the parents, 140 neonates and infants scheduled for surgical procedures were randomized to undergo intubation with either C-MAC Miller or McGrath MAC after standard general anesthesia. The two devices were compared in terms of total intubation time, Percent of Glottic Opening score, Cormack Lehane grades, time to glottis view, intubation difficulty score, overall success rate, first attempt success rate, and complications. RESULTS: The median glottic view time (6 s [4-9] vs. 6 s [4-9]; p = .40) and intubation time (27 s [25.5-28] vs. 27 s [24.5-29.5]; p = .87) were similar. The mean difference (95% CI) in time to tracheal intubation and time to glottic view was 0.49 s [-3.1 to 2.1] and -1.7 s [-3.8 to 0.47], respectively. However, the Percent of Glottic Opening score, Cormack Lehane grades, and subjective intubation difficulty were significantly better with C-MAC. The first attempt success rates, overall success rates (100% vs. 97.5%), and intubation difficulty scores were comparable. There were two failed intubations with McGrath which were successfully intubated with C-MAC. CONCLUSION: The C-MAC Miller blade showed similar intubation timings, success rates, and intubation difficulty score as compared to McGrath MAC in neonates and infants, though the former provided superior glottic views. Both the videolaryngoscopes may be safely used in infants and neonates for routine intubation scenarios.

Videolaryngoscopy Bails us out of Difficult Intubation Scenarios in Syndromic Children: A Case Series.

Airway management in children with craniofacial anomalies can be complicated and may require multiple attempts with conventional direct laryngoscopy (DL). Videolaryngoscopes (VLs) have a well-established role in difficult airway management in adults; however, their role remains to be fully elucidated in paediatric age group. There is a relative paucity in the literature regarding the role of VLs in cases of syndromic children, and it is not clear whether they should be used as an initial option or as a rescue device. Herein, we report a series of cases of children with Pierre Robin sequence, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, and Hurler's syndrome wherein VLs proved beneficial after multiple failed DL attempts. Following initial failed attempts to intubate using DL, these children were subsequently intubated using VLs. Therefore, VLs should be used for initial intubation attempts in syndromic children with potential difficult airways.

Clinical Implications of Vocal Cord-Carina Distance and Tracheal Length in the Indian Population.

OBJECTIVE: Securing the tracheal tube (TT) at a fixed recommended depth of 21/23 cm in female and male patients, respectively, may result in inappropriate placement of the TT in some patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the vocal cord-carina distance (VCD) and tracheal length (TL) to ascertain the optimal depth of TT placement during orotracheal intubation in the adult Indian population. METHODS: A total of 92 adults undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia with orotracheal intubation were studied. Surface anatomy airway measurements were noted. A cuffed TT (female size 7 mm ID and male size 8 mm ID) was inserted with the intubation guide mark at level with the vocal cords (VCs). Fiberoptic bronchoscopy-guided measurements were obtained for VCD, TL, TT tip-carina distance, VC-cricoid distance and lip-carina (L-C) distance. RESULTS: The mean±SD VCD was 12.82±2.05 and 12.02±1.44 cm, and TL was 10.14±2.04 and 9.37±1.28 cm in male and female patients, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between male and female patients in VCD (p=0.033), TL (p=0.032), L-C distance (p<0.001) and lip-TT tip distance (p<0.001); lip-TT tip distance was 19.50±1.39 cm in male patients and 18.17±1.28 cm in female patients. The L-C distance correlated with patient height, weight and neck length. L-C distance=7.214+0.049×Height+0.320×Neck length+0.033×Weight. CONCLUSION: We recommend placing the TT with its proximal guide mark at the level of VCs in the Indian population. The 21/23 cm rule for tube placement depth in female and male patients, respectively, cannot be routinely followed in the Indian population.

Analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided paravertebral block versus serratus plane block for modified radical mastectomy: A randomised, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) may be associated with severe post-operative pain, leading to chronic pain syndrome. We compared the post-operative analgesic profile of two ultrasound-guided nerve blocks: Paravertebral block (PVB) and serratus plane block (SPB). METHODS: This double-blind, randomised study was conducted on fifty adult females, scheduled for MRM with axillary dissection. After inducing general anaesthesia with intravenous midazolam 1 mg, fentanyl 1.5 mcg/kg, propofol 1-2 mg/kg and vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg, patients were administered either ultrasound-guided thoracic PVB at T4 (n = 25) or SPB at 5th rib (n = 25) with 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine, both as a single level injection. Time to first rescue analgesia and morphine consumption in 4, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h by PCA pump, visual analogue scale score and any adverse effects were recorded. Quantitative variables were compared using the unpaired t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test between the two groups. Qualitative variables were compared using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The duration of analgesia (mean ± Standard deviation [SD]) was significantly longer in the PVB group compared to SPB group (346 ± 57 min vs. 245.6 ± 58 min, P < 0.001). The post-operative 24 h morphine consumption (mean ± SD) was significantly higher in the SPB group (9.7 ± 2.1 mg) compared to PVB group (6.5 ± 1.5 mg) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided SPB is an alternative analgesic technique to thoracic PVB for MRM although PVB provides a longer duration of analgesia.

Comparison of haemodynamic responses to intubation: Flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope versus bonfils rigid intubation endoscope.

BACKGROUND: The flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope and bonfils rigid intubation endoscope are being widely used for difficult intubations. METHODS: The haemodynamic response to intubation under general anaesthesia was studied in 60 adult female patients who were intubated using either flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope or bonfils rigid intubation endoscope (30 in each group). Non-invasive blood pressure and heart rate (HR) was recorded before induction of anaesthesia, immediately after induction, at the time of intubation and, thereafter, every minute for the next 5 min. The product of HR and systolic blood pressure (rate pressure product) at every point of time was also calculated. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Graph pad prism, 5.0 statistical software, independent t test and repeated measure ANOVA test were used. RESULTS: Both bonfils rigid intubation endoscope and flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope required a similar time (less than 1 min) for orotracheal intubation. After intubation, there was a significant increase in HR, blood pressure and rate pressure product (P<0.001) in both the groups compared with the baseline and post-induction values. There was no significant difference in HR, blood pressure and rate pressure product at any of the measuring points or in their maximum values during observation between the two groups. The time required for recovery of systolic blood pressure and HR to post-induction value (±10%) was not significantly different between the two groups (more than 2 min). CONCLUSION: In female adults under general anaesthesia, bonfils rigid intubation endoscope and flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope require a similar time for successful orotracheal intubation and cause a similar magnitude of haemodynamic response.