Injection medialisation laryngoplasty: an alternative approach for challenging cases.

OBJECTIVE: Conventional injection medialisation laryngoplasty techniques may be compromised by patient-specific factors such as marked kyphosis, an anteriorly positioned larynx or intolerance to nasendoscopy. This paper describes a technique for successful injection medialisation laryngoplasty where conventional methods are precluded, in an 88-year-old man with presbyphonia on a background of Parkinson's disease. METHODS: After induction of general anaesthesia, a transoral introducing needle, shaped by tactile manipulation to match the curvature of a 'C-MAC' intubating video-laryngoscope 'D-blade' attachment, was introduced until visible above the glottis. The implant material was then injected into the paraglottic space as normal until satisfactory medialisation of the vocal fold was achieved. RESULTS: When reviewed in the out-patient clinic four weeks later, the patient's post-operative Voice Handicap Index score fell to 6, from a pre-operative score of 21. CONCLUSION: By utilising commonly available equipment and anaesthetic support to recreate the views and access conventional nasendoscopy and laryngoscopy facilitate, this novel procedure provides a viable and proven alternative in uncommon but challenging cases.

The pharmacokinetics of a single rectal dose of paracetamol (40 mg x kg(-1)) in children with liver disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to measure the serum paracetamol concentrations achieved following a single rectal loading dose of 40 mg x kg(-1) in children with chronic liver disease. METHODS: We recruited 17 children (3-15 years, 10.6-75 kg) undergoing minor surgical procedures under general anesthesia. Paracetamol was administered at the end of surgery and blood samples were taken for analysis at 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 h postdose. RESULTS: The mean Cmax of 11.4 mg x l(-1) [coefficient of variation (CV) 66%] was achieved at a Tmax of 2.7 h (CV 42%). The relative bioavailability (F) of the suppository formulation was not estimated, but clearance (Cl/F) estimates 0.73 l x kg(-1) x h(-1) (CV 87%) and time-concentration profiles for these children were similar to the normal pediatric population. CONCLUSIONS: There are currently no biologic markers available for monitoring possible hepatotoxicity in this cohort of patients with liver disease, but our data suggest that a single-dose suppository is a satisfactory analgesic alternative.

Glucose, insulin and potassium for heart protection during cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting with hypothermic cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with myocardial injury. Our study investigated whether an infusion of glucose, insulin and potassium (GIK) during elective coronary artery bypass surgery decreases myocardial cell death. METHODS: We measured cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a myofibrillar structural protein, which is a sensitive and specific indicator of myocytic injury. With ethics committee approval, 42 patients were enrolled into a randomized, prospective, double-blinded study. In the GIK group, 500 ml of 50% dextrose solution containing 100 IU insulin and potassium 80 mmol was infused at the rate of 0.75 ml kg(-1) h(-1). Patients in the non-GIK group received 5% dextrose solution at the same rate. Arterial blood samples were taken before induction of anaesthesia, after removal of the aortic clamp and 6 and 12 h after CPB. RESULTS: In both groups there was an increase in cTnI concentration (P<0.05), which was greatest about 6 h after CPB. At no time did the cTnI concentration differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that GIK does not decrease the irreversible myocardial damage associated with routine coronary artery bypass surgery.