A first assessment of the safe brain initiative care bundle for addressing postoperative delirium in the postanesthesia care unit.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium (POD) following surgery is a prevalent and distressing condition associated with adverse patient outcomes and an increased healthcare burden. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of the Safe Brain Initiative care bundle (SBI-CB) in reducing POD in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). DESIGN: A multicenter, quality-improvement initiative with retrospective analysis of collected data. SETTING: The study was conducted in the operating rooms and postanesthesia care units (PACUs) of four hospitals across Denmark and Turkey. PATIENTS: The convenience sample of patients were aged ≥18 years, scheduled for surgery, and could communicate verbally. Age, sex, preoperative delirium, and the American Society for Anesthesiology physical status classification were used in statistical methods to control for potential confounding influences. INTERVENTION: The SBI-CB, 18 delirium-reducing recommendations aligned with international guidelines. The intervention included patient education, staff training, coordination meetings across centers, and a dashboard for the monitoring of outcomes in the PACU. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the POD trend in the PACU during implementation months, assessed through Nu-DESC screening at up to three time points in the PACU. We also examined the length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Data were collected from 18,697 adult patients across four hospitals. Initial POD incidence in the PACU after the first three months was 16.36% across all sites (n = 1021). POD in the PACU was observed across all age groups, with peak incidence in younger (18-35 years) and older (>75 years) patients. General anesthesia and longer surgical duration (>1 h) were identified as significant risk factors for POD in the PACU. Matched patients who experienced POD in the PACU had longer stays in hospital, with a mean increase from 35 to 69 h (p < 0.001). Implementation of the SBI-CB was associated with a decreased risk of POD in the PACU for each month of SBI-CB implementation (adjusted odds ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval: [0.94, 0.97], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The presented pragmatic implementation of a multidisciplinary care bundle, encompassing pre-, intra-, and postoperative measures alongside outcome monitoring, has the potential to significantly reduce the incidence of POD in the PACU. Improved patient outcomes may be achieved for general surgical departments with patient cohorts not typically considered at risk for developing POD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05765162.

The way towards ethical anesthesia care: no aim - no game - no fame or blame?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review explores the intricacies of ethical anesthesia, exploring the necessity for precision anesthesia and its impact on patient-reported outcomes. The primary objective is to advocate for a defined aim, promoting the implementation of rules and feedback systems. The ultimate goal is to enhance precision anesthesia care, ensuring patient safety through the implementation of a teamwork and the integration of feedback mechanisms. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent strategies in the field of anesthesia have evolved from intraoperative monitorization to a wider perioperative patient-centered precision care. Nonetheless, implementing this approach encounters significant obstacles. The article explores the evidence supporting the need for a defined aim and applicable rules for precision anesthesia's effectiveness. The implementation of the safety culture is underlined. The review delves into the teamwork description with structured feedback systems. SUMMARY: Anesthesia is a multifaceted discipline that involves various stakeholders. The primary focus is delivering personalized precision care. This review underscores the importance of establishing clear aims, defined rules, and fostering effective and well tolerated teamwork with accurate feedback for improving patient-reported outcomes. The Safe Brain Initiative approach, emphasizing algorithmic monitoring and systematic follow-up, is crucial in implementing a fundamental and standardized reporting approach within patient-centered anesthesia care practice.

Impact of Burnout on Anaesthesiologists.

Professional burnout syndrome (PBS) is an issue affecting individuals and organizations alike, characterized by emotional exhaustion and reduced effectiveness resulting from overwhelming work demands. Root causes include excessive workload, unrealistic expectations, and blurred work-life boundaries, which are often intensified by organizational culture and inadequate support systems. The consequences range from decreased productivity and creativity to high turnover rates and financial strain on organizations. Mitigating PBS requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both individual and organizational levels. Individually, stress management techniques and self-care practices are crucial for building resilience and coping with work-related stressors. Organizations play a vital role in promoting employee well-being by fostering a supportive work environment, promoting work-life balance and providing access to support systems such as counseling and mentorship programs. Leadership is key in creating a culture that values employee health and prioritizes open communication and empathy. Policy interventions can further support efforts to combat PBS by enforcing labor laws that protect employee rights, such as setting limits on working hours and ensuring access to mental health services. Additionally, incentivise organizations to prioritize employee well-being through tax incentives or certification programs can encourage proactive measures against burnout. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive exploration of PBS, examining its causes, consequences, and potential mitigation strategies in individuals and organizations, with a focus on anaesthesiology.

Postoperative neurocognitive disorders: A clinical guide.

For years, postoperative cognitive outcomes have steadily garnered attention, and in the past decade, they have remained at the forefront. This prominence is primarily due to empirical research emphasizing their potential to compromise patient autonomy, reduce quality of life, and extend hospital stays, and increase morbidity and mortality rates, especially impacting elderly patients. The underlying pathophysiological process might be attributed to surgical and anaesthesiological-induced stress, leading to subsequent neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity, burst suppression and the development of hypercoagulopathy. The beneficial impact of multi-faceted strategies designed to mitigate the surgical and perioperative stress response has been suggested. While certain potential risk factors are difficult to modify (e.g., invasiveness of surgery), others - including a more personalized depth of anaesthesia (EEG-guided), suitable analgesia, and haemodynamic stability - fall under the purview of anaesthesiologists. The ESAIC Safe Brain Initiative research group recommends implementing a bundle of non-invasive preventive measures as a standard for achieving more patient-centred care. Implementing multi-faceted preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative preventive initiatives has demonstrated the potential to decrease the incidence and duration of postoperative delirium. This further validates the importance of a holistic, team-based approach in enhancing patients' clinical and functional outcomes. This review aims to present evidence-based recommendations for preventing, diagnosing, and treating postoperative neurocognitive disorders with the Safe Brain Initiative approach.

Assessment of complications and surgical timing in post-COVID-19 thoracotomy patients: A single-center experience.

Background: This study aims to assess the complications in post-novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) thoracotomy patients and to evaluate the time interval between infection and surgery and the effect of vaccine timing and vaccine type in these patients. Methods: Between May 2020 and January 2022, a total of 74 patients (34 males, 40 females; mean age: 54.5±13.7 years; range, 22 to 27 years) who had COVID-19 infection and underwent thoracic surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Data including demographic and clinical characteristics, the surgery type, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay, and postoperative complications were recorded. Complications were defined as respiratory, cardiac, thrombotic, and other complications. The time period between COVID-19 infection and surgery was noted. All patients were questioned regarding their vaccination status. Results: Having a symptomatic COVID-19 infection did not significantly affect the development of postoperative complications and length of intensive care unit or hospital stay. Thoracic involvement was the main factor which affected the length of intensive care unit and hospital stay during COVID-19 infection (p=0.004 and p=0.003, respectively). Conclusion: Our study results suggest that the length of hospital and intensive care unit stay is related to the time period between infection and surgery. The longer that the patient waits after COVID-19 infection, the less time that the patient stays in the hospital.

Precision Anaesthesia: Advancing Patient-Centered Precision Care Through Repetitive Assessment of PROMs with the Safe Brain Initiative Approach

This article aims to introduce the Safe Brain Initiative (SBI) approach, focusing on collecting and leveraging Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) to enhance patient-centred precision anaesthesia and prevent postoperative delirium (POD) and neurocognitive disorders (NCD). The SBI was implemented to systematically address the feedback gap in perioperative care by collecting and analysing real-world data. The initiative focuses on monitoring and preventing POD and NCD, providing effective anaesthesia care, assessing patient and team satisfaction, and evaluating environmental sustainability impact. Based on international guidelines, 18 core recommendations were established to address potential complications and challenges associated with anaesthesia. Preliminary results showed a notable reduction in POD and increased awareness among anaesthesia team members regarding PROMs. The SBI approach demonstrated significant benefits during emergency situations, such as the February 2023 earthquake in Turkey, by providing crucial support and comfort to victims requiring multiple surgical interventions. The SBI presents an innovative, cost-effective, and patient-centred approach to perioperative care. By integrating PROMs and systematic feedback mechanisms, the SBI aims to expedite the advancement of efficient, patient-centered precision perioperative care, improve patient outcomes, and elevate the quality of care. The initiative has shown promising results, and its adoption is growing globally. Collaboration among healthcare providers, researchers, and patients is crucial in shaping the future of anaesthesia practice and further improving patient outcomes. Turkish hospitals are encouraged to join the SBI to benefit from international collaborations and contribute to positive change in perioperative care standards. The SBI project significantly advances precision anaesthesia, emphasising personalised care and patient well-being.

The Efficacy of Indocyanine Green Video Angiography During Carotid Endarterectomy: An Institutional Experience.

AIM: To present our experience of 44 consecutive carotid endarterectomy procedures in 42 patients and assess the efficacy and success of ICG-VA in the localization of the plaque sites, extent of the arteriotomy, evaluation of the flow, and presence of thrombus after closure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was retrospectively designed, which included all the patients who underwent carotid stenosis operation between 2015 and 2019. ICG-VA was used in all procedures, and patients with available follow-up and full medical data were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-two consecutive patients who underwent a total of 44 CEAs were included. The population consisted of 5 (11.9%) female and 37 (88.1%) male patients, all of whom had at least 60% carotid stenosis, as assessed using North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial stenosis ratios. The mean stenosis rate was 80.55% (range, 60%-90%), the mean patient age was 69.8 years (range, 44-88 years), and the mean follow-up duration was 40 months (range, 2-106 months). In 31 (70.5%) of 44 procedures, ICG-VA revealed the exact location of the obstructive plaque's distal end, and it successfully showed the arteriotomy length, identifying the location of the plaque. ICG-VA correctly evaluated the flow in 38 (86.4%) of 44 procedures. CONCLUSION: Our reported study is cross-sectional, reflecting our experiment using ICG during CEA. ICG-VA can be used as a simple, practical, real-time microscope-integrated technique that can enhance the safety and effectiveness of CEA.

Does Pre-procedural Anxiety Affect the Consumption of Sedatives During Colonoscopy?

OBJECTIVE: Anxiety is an unpleasant emotional stat with systemic effects. The anxiety level of the patients may increase the requirements for sedation during colonoscopy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of pre-procedural anxiety on the dose of propofol. METHODS: After ethical approval and informed consent, a total of 75 patients undergoing colonoscopy were enrolled in the study. Patients were informed about the procedure and the anxiety levels were assessed. The level of sedation was defined as a Bispectral Index (BIS) of 60 and was achieved by target-controlled infusion of propofol. Patients' characteristics, hemodynamic profiles, anxiety levels, the propofol dosage and complications were recorded. The procedure duration, difficulty score for colonoscopy assessed by the surgeon, and the patient's and surgeon's satisfaction with sedation instrument scores were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients were studied.Demographic and procedural data were similar among groups. The anxiety scores were not correlated with the total propofol dosage, hemodynamic parameters, the time needed to reach a BIS value of 60, surgeon and patient satisfaction and the time needed to regain consciousness. No complications were observed. CONCLUSION: In patients receiving deep sedation for elective colonoscopies, the pre-procedural anxiety level is not related to sedative requirement, post-procedural recovery, or surgeon and patient satisfaction.

What About Compressing the Oesophagus with an Ultrasound Probe for a Modified Sellick Maneuver?

OBJECTIVE: Debates continue about the cricoid pressure, which has been used for many years to prevent gastric aspiration during intubation. Using ultrasound, the effects of this maneuver and alternatives like paralaryngeal pressure are revealed. The aim of this observational study was to determine the effect of paralaryngeal pressure with an ultrasound probe on the esophageal diameter in patients with different body mass indexes and neck circumferences. METHODS: After measuring the neck circumference at the level of the cricoid cartilage, the esophagus was visualized by ultrasonography. Compression was applied medially at a 45° angle toward the vertebral column by the ultrasound probe and esophageal anteroposterior outer diameters were measured. Correlations between body mass index, neck circumference, esophageal diameter, and esophageal diameter change ratio were evaluated with Pearson's r value. RESULTS: One hundred ten volunteers (52 women and 58 men) with mean age 33.7 ± 8.02 years and mean body mass index 25.6 ± 4.65 kg m-2 were recruited. The esophagus was located 78.18% partially to the left, 4.54% completely to the left, 1.81% to the right of the cricoid ring. In 15.45%, esophagus could not be displayed. The mean diameter of the esophagus was 7.6 ± 1.1 mm before pressure and 5.6 ± 0.09 mm after pressure (P < .001). There was no significant correlation between diameter change percentage and body mass index (r=-0.22; P > .05). However, weak correlation was found between diameter change percentage and neck circumference (r=-0.33; P=.016). CONCLUSIONS: Paralaryngeal pressure with an ultrasound probe has the potential to occlude the esophagus and may be effective in all patient groups.

Use of simulation to teach in the operating room - Don't let the COVID-19 pandemic interrupt education:an observational clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Simulation-based education has become the most important part of resident training in anesthesiology, especially during the pandemic. It allows learning the skills and the management of different situations without putting residents in risk of contamination, considering COVID-19 is highly contagious. The hypothesis was that simulation is still associated with improvement of knowledge acquisitions despite the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Residents of anesthesiology and intensive care subjected to an anaphylaxis simulation scenario. Their knowledge levels were assessed by true/false questions before and one month after the simulation session. The STAI test was used to measure anxiety levels before and after the scenario. Data were analyzed statistically using Wilcoxon and McNemar tests. RESULTS: Junior residents (< 2 years) received significantly higher scores in post-training theoretical tests compared to their pre-training scores (79.2 ± 9.6, 84.5 ± 8.2, p = 0.002, n = 21). There was no difference between pre- and post-test scores of seniors (80.2 ± 9, 81.8 ± 10.4, p = 0.3). Pre- and post-anxiety inventory scores were nearly the same and both were in the moderate group (39.8 ± 10.1, 39.3 ± 12.1, p = 0.8). CONCLUSION: Simulation-based education improved the knowledge levels of the residents without raising anxiety levels. Thus, simulation-based training showed its value as an important tool of education during the pandemic, which needs to be further popularized for training at all institutions. Enlightening medical educators about this accomplished teaching method may lead to improved quality of medical education in developing countries and reshape how tomorrow's doctors are trained during pandemics.

Simulation-Based Learning: Basics for Anaesthetists.

Simulation training is useful to become familiar with new technology, to practice behaviours and strategies, to acquire routines for specific scenarios, and to reflect on one's behaviour. Processes that have to function almost automatically (e.g., resuscitation) have to be practised repeatedly until they can be reliably executed even under stress or fatigue. Simulators offer the opportunity to acquire these skills without endangering the patient. Various types of simulators (from pig liver to premature baby simulator) are already being used extensively for this purpose. Significant advantages of this learning environment include the freedom from risk in the event of errors, the repeatability of procedures, the possibility of varying conditions, and the possibility of practising processes with different complexities. Simulators are used in a variety of settings, providing valuable training in non-technical skills and creating awareness of other aspects of human factors. In addition, working with simulators through targeted testing of technology and work processes can help to structure work in hospitals more closely based on human factors.

[Influence of methylprednisolone on the reversal time of sugammadex: a randomized clinical trial]. / Influência da metilprednisolona no tempo de reversão do sugammadex: estudo clínico randomizado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sugammadex is a modified gamma-cyclodextrin that reverses the effects of aminosteroidal neuromuscular blocking agents. Likewise, some steroid molecules, such as toremifene, fusidic acid, and flucloxacillin, can also be encapsulated by sugammadex. Methylprednisolone, which is a synthetic steroid used commonly for airway oedema prophylaxis, can also be encapsulated by sugammadex. The objective of this study was to compare the recovery times of sugammadex for reversing rocuronium-induced moderate neuromuscular blockade in those who received intraoperative 1 mg.kg-1 methylprednisolone or saline. METHOD: This single-centered, randomized, controlled, prospective study included 162 adult patients undergoing elective ear-nose-throat procedures (aged from 18-65, an ASA physical status I-II, a BMI less than 30 kg.m-2, and not taking steroid drug medication) with propofol, remifentanyl, rocuronium and sevoflurane. Neuromuscular monitoring was performed using calibrated acceleromyography. The Control Group (Group C) received 5 mL of saline, while the Methylprednisolone Group (Group M) received 1 mg.kg-1 of methylprednisolone in 5mL of saline just after induction. After the completion of surgery, regarding the TOF count, two reappeared spontaneously and 2 mg.kg-1 sugammadex was administered to all patients. Recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9 was recorded for both groups, and the estimated recovery time to reach a TOF ratio (TOFr) of 0.9 was the primary outcome of the study. RESULTS: Median time to TOFr = 0.9 was for 130.00 s (range of 29-330) for Group C and 181.00 s (100-420) for Group M (p < 0.001). The differences between the two groups were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: When using 2 mg.kg-1 of sugammadex to reverse rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in patients who received 1 mg.kg-1 of intraoperative methylprednisolone, demonstrated delayed recovery times.

Influence of methylprednisolone on the reversal time of sugammadex: a randomized clinical trial / Influência da metilprednisolona no tempo de reversão do sugammadex: estudo clínico randomizado

Abstract Background and objectives: Sugammadex is a modified gamma-cyclodextrin that reverses the effects of aminosteroidal neuromuscular blocking agents. Likewise, some steroid molecules, such as toremifene, fusidic acid, and flucloxacillin, can also be encapsulated by sugammadex. Methylprednisolone, which is a synthetic steroid used commonly for airway edema prophylaxis, can also be encapsulated by sugammadex. The objective of this study was to compare the recovery times of sugammadex for reversing rocuronium-induced moderate neuromuscular blockade in those who received intraoperative 1 mg kg-1 methylprednisolone or saline. Method: This single-centered, randomized, controlled, prospective study included 162 adult patients undergoing elective ear-nose-throat procedures (aged from 18 to 65, an ASA physical status I-II, a BMI less than 30 kg m-2, and not taking steroid drug medication) with propofol, remifentanyl, rocuronium and sevoflurane. Neuromuscular monitoring was performed using calibrated acceleromyography. The Control Group (Group C) received 5 mL of saline, while the Methylprednisolone Group (Group M) received 1 mg kg-1 of methylprednisolone in 5 mL of saline just after induction. After the completion of surgery, regarding the TOF count, two reappeared spontaneously and 2 mg kg-1 sugammadex was administered to all patients. Recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9 was recorded for both groups, and the estimated recovery time to reach a TOF ratio (TOFr) of 0.9 was the primary outcome of the study. Results: Median time to TOFr = 0.9 was for 130.00 s (range of 29-330) for Group C and 181.00 s (100-420) for Group M (p < 0.001). The differences between the two groups were statistically significant. Conclusion: When using 2 mg kg-1 of sugammadex to reverse rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in patients who received 1 mg kg-1 of intraoperative methylprednisolone, demonstrated delayed recovery times.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: Sugammadex é uma gama-ciclodextrina modificada que reverte os efeitos de agentes de bloqueio neuromuscular aminoesteroides. Da mesma forma, algumas moléculas esteroides, como toremifene, ácido fusídico e flucloxacilina, podem ser encapsulados pelo sugammadex. A metilprednisolona, esteroide sintético usado geralmente para a profilaxia de edema de vias aéreas, também pode ser encapsulada pelo sugammadex. O objetivo do estudo foi comparar os tempos de recuperação do sugammadex na reversão de bloqueio neuromuscular moderado induzido pelo rocurônio em pacientes em que foi administrado 1 mg.kg-1 de metilprednisolona ou solução salina no período intraoperatório. Método: Este estudo prospectivo, randomizado, controlado, unicêntrico incluiu 162 pacientes adultos (idades de 18-65, ASA I-II, IMC abaixo de 30 kg.m-2, e não usando medicação esteroide) submetidos à anestesia geral para procedimento eletivo de otorrinolaringologia com propofol, remifentanil, rocurônio e sevoflurano. A monitorização neuromuscular foi realizada usando aceleromiógrafo calibrado. O grupo controle (Grupo C) recebeu 5 mL de solução salina, enquanto o grupo metilprednisolona (Grupo M) recebeu 1 mg.kg-1 de metilprednisolona em 5 mL de solução salina logo após a indução. Ao término da cirurgia, em relação à contagem do número de respostas à sequência de quatro estímulos (TOFc), dois pacientes mostraram recuperação espontânea e todos os pacientes receberam 2 mg.kg-1 de sugammadex. A recuperação da razão T4/T1 (TOFr) para 0,9 foi registrada nos dois grupos, e o desfecho primário do estudo foi o tempo estimado de recuperação, momento em que a razão TOFr alcançou o valor de 0,9 (TOFr = 0.9). Resultados: O tempo mediano para TOFr = 0,9 foi 130 s (29-330) para o Grupo C e 181s (100-420) para o Grupo M (p < 0,001). As diferenças entre os dois grupos foi estatisticamente significante. Conclusões: Pacientes que receberam 1 mg.kg-1 de metilprednisolona no intraoperatório apresentaram tempo de recuperação mais prolongado após o uso de 2 mg.kg-1 de sugammadex para reverter o bloqueio neuromuscular induzido pelo rocurônio.

[Maintenance of balance between airway pressure and intracranial pressure in a patient with tracheal stenosis undergoing craniotomy: a case report]. / Manutenção do equilíbrio entre a pressão das vias aéreas e a pressão intracraniana em paciente com estenose traqueal submetido à craniotomia: relato de caso.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tracheal stenosis is a rare but a life-threatening condition and anesthesia of a patient with tracheal stenosis is challenging for anesthesiologists. Maintaining stable hemodynamics and ventilation parameters are important issues in neuroanesthesia. Any increase in airway peak pressure and ETCO2 will result in increase in intracranial pressure which must be avoided during craniotomies. Tracheal stenosis could be a reason for increased airway pressure. CASE REPORT: We described a patient undergoing craniotomy with tracheal stenosis. CONCLUSION: Detailed preparation for intubation, to stabilize airway dynamics and to make the right decision for the surgery were important points. To maintain a good balance between cerebral dynamics and airway dynamics were the pearls of this case.

Maintenance of balance between airway pressure and intracranial pressure in a patient with tracheal stenosis undergoing craniotomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tracheal stenosis is a rare but a life-threatening condition and anesthesia of a patient with tracheal stenosis is challenging for anesthesiologists. Maintaining stable hemodynamics and ventilation parameters are important issues in neuroanesthesia. Any increase in airway peak pressure and ETCO2 will result in increase in intracranial pressure which must be avoided during craniotomies. Tracheal stenosis could be a reason for increased airway pressure. CASE REPORT: We described a patient undergoing craniotomy with tracheal stenosis. CONCLUSION: Detailed preparation for intubation, to stabilize airway dynamics and to make the right decision for the surgery were important points. To maintain of a good balance between cerebral dynamics and airway dynamics were the pearls of this case.

The airway device preference may affect the overlapping of the common carotid artery by the internal jugular vein.

BACKGROUND: Anatomical variation in the internal jugular vein (IJV), as well as its small size, tendency to collapse, and proximity to the common carotid artery (CCA) makes central venous cannulation via the IJV a technically challenging procedure, especially in pediatric patients. AIM: We evaluated the effects of laryngeal mask airway insertion and endotracheal intubation (ETT) on the anatomical relationship between the IJV and the CCA in neutral and 40° head away positions. METHOD: After parental consent 92 patients with ASA physical status I-II, aged 0-17, undergoing elective urological surgery were enrolled and divided into two groups according to the airway management device used for anesthesia: Group laryngeal mask airway (n = 63) and Group ETT (n = 29). An ultrasonographic evaluation was performed before and after airway instrumentation at neutral and 40° head rotation. The IJV position in relation to the CCA was noted, and the overlap percentage of the CCA was calculated as the ratio of the CCA length covering by the internal jugular vein to the transverse diameter of the CCA. RESULTS: With no airway device insertion, the position of the IJV was found to be anterolateral to the CCA in the majority of patients (48.8% vs 35.3%, right vs left IJV) in the neutral head position. While there was no significant change in the overlap percentages of the CCA after laryngeal mask airway insertion in the neutral head position [48.71% vs 57.30% for the right IJV (difference in median: -21.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) of difference: -56.92 to 14.52; P = 0.133); 52.54% vs 60.36% for the left IJV (difference in median: -10.3; 95% CI of difference: -41.49 to 20.89; P = 0.128)], it increased significantly in the 40° head away position on both sides [50.11% vs 64.83% for the right IJV (difference in median: -55; 95% CI of difference: -84 to -25.24; P = 0.01); 53.82% vs 71.20% for the left IJV (difference in median: -46; 95% CI of difference: -86.85 to -5.15; P = 0.004)]. However, the overlap percentages of CCA decreased significantly on the right side with patients in a neutral head position (31.23% vs 6.27%, difference in median: 19; 95% CI of difference: -5.68 to 43.68; P = 0.002) and on both sides in the 40° head away position [29.50% vs 16.19%, difference in median: 26; 95% CI of difference: 2.84 to 49.16; P = 0.03 and 47% vs 31.94%, difference in median: 9.50; 95% CI of difference: -40.87 to 59.87; P = 0.03 for the right and left sides, respectively] after ETT insertion. CONCLUSIONS: Laryngeal mask airway with 40° head rotation increases, whereas ETT decreases, the overlap percentage of CCA by IJV. Both head position and airway management methods have an influence on the overlap of the CCA by the IJV in pediatric patients.

Comparison of ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) with cuffed and uncuffed endotracheal tubes in infants.

We aimed to compare cuffed and uncuffed endotracheal tubes (ETTs) with ProSealTM laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) in terms of airway security and extubation, starting out from the hypothesis that PLMA will provide alternative airway safety to the endotracheal tubes, and that airway complications will be less observed. After obtaining approval from the local Ethics Committee and parental informed consent, 120 pediatric patients 1-24 months old, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II, requiring general anesthesia for elective lower abdominal surgery, were randomized into PLMA (Group P, n = 40), cuffed ETT (Group C, n = 40), and uncuffed ETT (Group UC, n = 40) groups. The number of intubation or PLMA insertion attempts was recorded. Each patient's epigastrium was auscultated for gastric insufflation, leak volumes and air leak fractions (leak volume/inspiratory volume) were recorded. Post-operative adverse events related to airway management were also followed up during the first post-operative hour. Demographic and surgical data were similar among the groups. There were significantly fewer airway manipulations in the Group P than in the other groups (p < 0.01), and leak volume and air leak fractions were greater in the Group UC than in the other two groups (p < 0.01). Laryngospasm was significantly lower in the Group P during extubation and within the first minute of post-extubation than in the other groups (p < 0.01). Based on this study, PLMA may be a good alternative to cuffed and uncuffed ETTs for airway management of infants due to the ease of manipulation and lower incidence of laryngospasm.

Influence of Different Doses of Ketamine on Intubating Conditions during a Rapid Sequence Induction and Intubation Model.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective, randomized, double-blinded study aimed to compare the effects of three different doses of ketamine or lidocaine on intubating conditions and haemodynamics in a rapid-sequence induction model with 3 mg kg(-1) propofol and 0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium. METHODS: A total of 128 ASA I-III patients who were scheduled for elective surgery were randomized in the following five groups: Group 1 (n=24), 1 mg kg(-1) lidocaine+3 mg kg(-1) propofol+0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium; Group 2 (n=23), 0.1 mg kg(-1) ketamine+3 mg kg(-1) propofol+0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium; Group 3 (n=29), 0.3 mg kg(-1) ketamine+3 mg kg(-1) propofol+0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium; Group 4 (n=26), 0.5 mg kg(-1) ketamine+3 mg kg(-1) propofol+0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium and Group 5 (n=26), 3 mg kg(-1) propofol+0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium+saline as placebo. After preoxygenation, induction was performed with the assigned combination, and intubation was initiated after 60 s. The time to intubation, intubation score (Viby-Mogensen score) and haemodynamic data were recorded. Postoperative hoarseness, sore throat and hallucination incidences were followed up. RESULTS: Demographic, time to intubation and haemodynamic data were comparable among groups. Group 4 [13.5 (4-14)] revealed a higher intubation score then groups 1, 2 and 5 [12 (3-14), 11 (2-14) and 9.5 (0-13) and p=0.026, p=0.001 and p=0.000001, respectively]. Groups 3 [13 (4-14)] and 4 [13.5 (4-14)] had similar intubation scores. Side effects were comparable among all groups. CONCLUSION: The combination of 0.5 mg kg(-1) ketamine and 0.6 mg kg(-1) rocuronium along with propofol improves intubation conditions in a stimulated rapid-sequence induction model.

CHALLENGES OF OBSTETRIC ANESTHESIA: DIFFICULT LARYNGEAL VISUALIZATION.

Obstetric anesthesia is one of the high risk subspecialties of anesthesia practice. Anesthesia related complications are the sixth leading cause of maternal mortality. Difficult or failed intubation following induction of general anesthesia for CS remains the major contributory factor to anesthesia-related maternal complications. The airway management of obstetric patients is a challenging issue for several reasons. Anatomic and physiologic changes related to pregnancy may increase the difficult and failed intubation rates compared to the general surgical population. Proper evaluation of the airway anatomy and airway structures is vital to prevent airway management related catastrophes. In addition to basic airway and intubation equipment, each anesthesia department must have difficult intubation equipment cart including fiber optic laryngoscope, video laryngoscopes, and different types of laryngeal masks. It is essential that all anesthesiologists have a preconceived and well thought-out algorithm and emergency airway equipment to deal with airway emergencies during difficult or failed intubation of a parturient.