ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: We performed a single-institution pilot study to determine the potential value of an electronic logbook of airway procedures performed during a one month airway rotation for anesthesiology residents. For two years, CA-3 residents taking an advanced airway management rotation entered all airway procedures in this electronic logbook. We expected this logbook to produce results of potential use to program directors by determining the numbers of specific procedures performed by each resident. METHODS: All residents taking this rotation were required to enter specific data from each airway procedure into our on-line electronic logbook. Entered information was available in tabular form to the program director and each resident. Numbers of procedures with each technique were compared among residents and to a previously determined target number of procedures for several techniques. RESULTS: Sixty seven residents entered data for nine specific airway procedures over a 24 month pilot study duration. When compared to target numbers of procedures for specific techniques, we discovered most residents performed less than 2 standard deviations from the target number with flexible fiberoptic intubation (usually exceeding the target number) but greater than 3 standard deviations with surgical and percutaneous procedures (usually falling short of the target number). Analysis also determined that resident experience exhibited considerable variability as shown by the ranges of several techniques. Though there was a wide range of numbers for most techniques, most were within two standard deviations of the mean values of the technique. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that this electronic logbook was easily administered at minimal cost and administrative effort. Future studies may confirm the logbook as a feasible intervention permitting anesthesiology training programs to in crease the breadth of data related to their resident airway education.
Subject(s)
Airway Management/methods , Anesthesiology/education , Laryngoscopy/methods , Humans , Learning Curve , Optical FibersSubject(s)
Capnography , Emergency Medical Services , Intubation, Intratracheal , Laryngoscopy , HumansABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine if preinduction intrathecal morphine is associated with successful intraoperative extubation in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. DESIGN: A retrospective noncontrolled chart review of all patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. SETTING: Single university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twelve patients. INTERVENTIONS: One hundred twelve of 150 patients received preinduction intrathecal morphine as part of routine anesthetic care for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Patients received a mean of 1.0 mg of intrathecal morphine (range 0.3-1.6 mg); average weight-corrected dose was 13.2 microg/kg (range 5-24 microg/kg). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: This study included intraoperative extubation rate, delayed respiratory depression, and other complications potentially attributable to intrathecal morphine. An intraoperative extubation rate of 77% was found. Five patients received naloxone postoperatively, 4 of them for delayed respiratory depression. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that intrathecal morphine is associated with a high intraoperative extubation rate in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. The authors' practice included 24-hour respiratory monitoring to detect delayed respiratory depression.
Subject(s)
Analgesics, Opioid/administration & dosage , Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump , Morphine/administration & dosage , Preanesthetic Medication , Analgesics, Opioid/adverse effects , Anesthesia, Inhalation , Humans , Injections, Spinal , Intraoperative Period , Intubation, Intratracheal , Morphine/adverse effects , Naloxone/administration & dosage , Narcotic Antagonists/administration & dosageABSTRACT
Peripheral nerve blocks at the ankle have long been used for foot surgery. However, when local foot and ankle blocks are inappropriate or contraindicated, general and spinal anesthesia are the common alternatives. Both have disadvantages and require added equipment and monitors. Combined popliteal and saphenous nerve blocks at the knee can offer a desirable alternative to general and spinal anesthesia for foot and ankle surgery. In addition, popliteal and saphenous nerve blocks provide anesthesia of the entire lower leg, thus permitting a greater variety of procedures to be performed. This article reviews the anatomical considerations, various block techniques, and surgical applications of this useful approach to lower-leg anesthesia.
