A comparative study of the C-MAC D-blade videolaryngoscope and McCoy laryngoscope for oro-tracheal intubation with manual in-line stabilization of neck in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery.

Background and Aims: Airway management in cervical spine injury patients requires manual in-line stabilization (MILS) of the neck to avoid exacerbation of cord injury, which impedes visualization of glottis during laryngoscopy. Specially designed blades such as McCoy and C-MAC D-blades can improve laryngoscopic view in such patients. This study was performed to compare the efficacy of C-MAC D-blades and the McCoy laryngoscope for oro-tracheal intubation using MILS in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery. Material and Methods: This randomized, prospective study was performed in 60 adult patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I-III, either sex, 18 to 60 years of age undergoing elective cervical spine surgery. Patients were randomly categorized into two groups, group D and group M. Intubation was performed using a C-MAC D-blade videolaryngoscope in group D and a McCoy laryngoscope in group M using MILS. The intubation difficulty scale (IDS) score, laryngoscopy and intubation times, percentage of glottic opening (POGO) score, Cormack Lehane (CL) grading with and without external laryngeal pressure (ELP), need for bougie or change of blade or operator, and change in hemodynamics following intubation were recorded. Results: Group D showed lower mean IDS scores than group M (P value < 0.0001). There were statistically significant differences found in duration of laryngoscopy (group D < group M), CL grading without ELP (group D: CL-1,2a >CL-2b, 3; group M: CL-1,2a group M), need for ELP and lifting force (group D < group M), and hemodynamic responses after intubation (group D < group M). Conclusion: A C-MAC D-blade videolaryngoscope provides better and rapid visualization of glottis with less intubation difficulties than a McCoy laryngoscope during intubation using MILS in patients with cervical spine injury.

Yellow-orange upconversion emission in Eu(3+)-Yb(3+) codoped BaTiO(3) phosphor.

The Eu(3+)-Yb(3+) codoped BaTiO3 phosphor is prepared via co-precipitation method and its upconversion emission is studied by 980nm diode laser excitation. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the prepared sample showed the tetragonal BaTiO3 phase. The co-doped phosphor showed sharp upconversion emission bands peaking at ∼592, ∼614, ∼ 654, ∼704 and ∼796nm due to the (5)D0→(7)F1, (5)D0→(7)F2, (5)D0→(7)F3, (5)D0→(7)F4 and (5)D0→(7)F6 transitions, respectively of Eu(3+) ions. The sharp band at 489nm is assigned to the (2)F5/2→(2)F7/2 transition of Yb(3+) ion while the broad band around 505nm is assigned to the defect states present in the sample. Based on the available experimental data, the process involved in the UC emissions has been explored and elaborated.