Flavored Anesthetic Masks for Inhalational Induction in Children.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of masking the odor of inhalational agents using fruit flavors on the anxiety behavior and compliance of children for inhalational induction. METHODS: A prospective randomized double blind, placebo controlled study was conducted on 60 unpremedicated children in the age group of 4-12 y. Thirty children received anesthetic masks smeared with a flavor of child's choice while the other 30 children were induced using masks without flavor. Anxiety was assessed using modified Yale Pre-operative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) in the pre-op room and during inhalational induction. Mask acceptance was graded by Induction Compliance Checklist (ICC). The cost-effectiveness of flavored anesthetic masks was compared to that of commercially available pre-scented masks. RESULTS: The baseline anxiety in the two groups was comparable. The number of children demonstrating high levels of anxiety at anesthetic induction was similar in flavored and non-flavored mask groups (p 0.45). The compliance to mask induction was also equally good (p 0.99). The authors found significant difference in the cost of flavored mask (INR 56.45 per mask) as compared to commercially available pre-scented masks (INR 660 per mask). CONCLUSIONS: The authors observed a placebo effect that reduced the pre-op anxiety in the control group which probably made the quality of induction equivalent with flavored and non-flavored masks. Therefore, using a flavored anesthetic mask is cost-effective than using a commercially available pre-scented mask.

Predictors of intubation in children.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the relation of mentohyoid, thyromental and sternomental distances to height, weight and age of children with normal airway. METHODS: We carried out a prospective, double blind pilot study in 400 children posted for elective surgery to measure mentohyoid, thyromental and sternomental distances pre-operatively followed by intra-op evaluation of intubation using Cormack and Lehane grading. RESULTS: On assessing the contribution of age, height and weight to predict mentohyoid, thyromental and sternomental distances in children, the best predictor was found to be height (p=0.001)followed by age (p=0.04)of the patient. CONCLUSION: We have derived simple formulae to predict mentohyoid, thyromental and sternomental distances relevant to airway based on height and age of children.

Progressive muscle weakness with respiratory insufficiency in a young patient with tetanus during magnesium sulfate infusion.

Magnesium sulfate administered as an intravenous infusion is considered safe. However, there have been concerns about the neuromuscular blocking properties of magnesium that can cause respiratory insufficiency. We report a patient with mild tetanus who, after being started on magnesium infusion, developed progressive respiratory insufficiency, proximal muscle weakness and ptosis. On discontinuation of magnesium infusion, the muscular weakness improved and respiration became normal. The safety of magnesium sulfate infusion for the management of tetanus needs to be re-evaluated.

Closed-loop control of anesthesia using the bispectral index in open heart surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The introduction of the bispectral index (BIS) as a comprehensive indicator of depth of anesthesia has prompted research in the automated delivery of anesthetics. This trial aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the BIS as the feedback variable in a closed-loop anesthesia control system during cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: Thirty-four adult patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I-III undergoing elective cardiac surgery under hypothermic CPB were evaluated prospectively in a tertiary care teaching hospital. The anesthesia was induced and maintained throughout surgery using a closed-loop anesthesia delivery system (502/DEL/2003) to control the BIS. RESULTS: The closed-loop system was functional during 96% of the anesthesia duration. The BIS was maintained at +/- 10 of the target of 50 during 86% of the automated anesthesia. The closed-loop system was also functional during CPB despite a fall in BIS probably resulting from hypothermia. None of the patients had recall of events or experiences during the procedure. CONCLUSION: The closed-loop control of anesthetic delivery adjusted to BIS is feasible and may be useful in open heart surgery under hypothermic CPB.