A Case of Unanticipated difficult Intubation in a patient posted for C5-C6 Posterior Fixation

Management of a “difficult airway” poses one of the most relevant and challenging tasks for anesthesiologists. Unanticipation with difficult airway and endotracheal intubation during the conduction of general anesthesia may result in complications and fatality. We report the case of a 14 yr old boy for planned C5-C6 spine fixation under general anaesthesia. Unanticipated difficult oral intubation after three failed attempts, managed by a stylleted cuffed endotracheal tube, head up tilt of the operation table, shoulder support, cricoid pressure and rotation of the endotracheal tube anticlockwise at the glottic opening.

Effects of External Laryngeal Manipulation on Cervical Spine Motion during Videolaryngoscopic Intubation under Manual In-Line Stabilization: A Randomized Crossover Trial

We hypothesized that external laryngeal manipulation would reduce cervical spine motion during video laryngoscopic intubation under manual in-line stabilization by reducing the force required to lift the videolaryngoscope. In this randomized crossover trial, 27 neurointerventional patients underwent two consecutive videolaryngoscopic intubation attempts under manual in-line stabilization. External laryngeal manipulation was applied to all patients in either the first or second attempt. In the second attempt, we tried to reproduce the percentage of glottic opening score obtained in the first attempt. Primary outcomes were cervical spine motion during intubation at the occiput-C1, C1–C2, and C2–C5 segments. The intubation success rate (secondary outcome measure) was recorded. Cervical spine motion during intubation at the occiput-C1 segment was significantly smaller with than without external laryngeal manipulation (7.4° ± 4.6° vs. 11.5° ± 4.8°, mean difference −4.1° (98.33% confidence interval −5.8° to −2.3°), p < 0.001), showing a reduction of 35.7%. Cervical spine motion during intubation at the other segments was not significantly different with versus without external laryngeal manipulation. All intubations were achieved successfully regardless of the application of external laryngeal manipulation. External laryngeal manipulation is a useful method to reduce upper cervical spine motion during videolaryngoscopic intubation under manual in-line stabilization.

Effects of head positions on awake fiberoptic bronchoscope oral intubation: a randomized controlled trial

Background There are many factors affecting the success rate of awake orotracheal intubation via fiberoptic bronchoscope. We performed this study was to investigate the effects of head positions on awake Fiberoptic bronchoscope oral intubation. Methods Seventy-five adult patients, received general anaesthesia were included in this study. After written informed consent, these patients were undergoing awake orotracheal intubation via fiberoptic-bronchoscope and according to the head position, the patients were randomized allocated to neutral position group (NP group), sniffing position group (SP group) or extension position group (EP group). After sedation the patients were intubated by an experienced anesthesiologist. The time to view the vocal cords, the percentage of glottic opening scores (POGO), the time to insert the tracheal tube into trachea and the visual analog scale (VAS) scores for ease experienced of passing the tracheal tube through glottis, the hemodynamic changes and the adverse events after surgery were recorded. Results The time to view the vocal cords was significantly shorter and the POGO scores was significantly higher in the EP group compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05); The SpO2 in the EP group was higher than NP group at before intubation and higher than SP group and NP group at immediate after intubation (P < 0.05); The time to insert the tracheal tube into trachea, the VAS scores for passing the tracheal tube through glottis, the coughing scores had no significant differences among groups (P > 0.05). There were also no significant differences regard to the incidence of postoperative complications, mean arterial pressure and heart rate among the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions The head at extension position had a best view of glottic opening than neutral position or sniffing position during awake Fiberoptic bronchoscope oral intubation, so extension position was recommended as the starting head position for awake Fiberoptic bronchoscope oral intubation. Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov. no. NCT02792855. Registered at https://register.clinicaltrials.gov on 23 september 2017.

Preoperative rigid laryngoscopic examination and modified jaw thrust manoeuver during fibreoptic-assisted tracheal intubation for general anaesthesia

Preoperative laryngoscopic examination of the airway informs general anaesthesia management and planning. However, the same glottic opening view cannot always be obtained during direct laryngoscopy of anaesthetised patients. In this case report, a patient underwent preoperative rigid laryngoscopy due to medical history, and no problems were anticipated in performing tracheal intubation; however, the direct laryngoscopic view was a Grade 4 on the Cormack-Lehane Scale after anaesthesia induction. A jaw thrust manoeuvre to facilitate fibreoptic-assisted nasotracheal intubation was not feasible. In order to compensate, a modified method of jaw thrust was implemented, where both thumbs were placed on the floor of the patient’s mouth, leading to a successful result. Safe airway management should be implemented with proper planning based on a careful preoperative evaluation.

A Randomised Control Trial Comparing the Efficacy of LMA-Supreme and I-Gel as Rescue Ventilatory Device in Patients with Simulated Difficult Airway Undergoing Anaesthesia with Controlled Ventilation

Introduction: In an unanticipated difficult airway or in an emergency situation of cannot-intubate-cannot-ventilate scenario, Supraglottic Airway Devices (SGD) are recommended as rescue devices for establishing airway quickly to prevent hypoxia. Aim: To compare efficacy of i-gel airway and Laryngeal Mask Airway supreme (LMA supreme) as ventilatory devices and the time taken for their insertion in anaesthetised and paralysed patients with simulated difficult airway. Materials and Methods: One hundred and eighty adult patients with simulated difficult airway were randomly allocated to two groups of 90 patients each. In group I: i-gel and in group S: LMA supreme was inserted. Primary outcome studied was time taken for insertion of SGD. Secondary outcomes were the number of attempts taken for insertion of device, oropharyngeal leak pressure, ease of gastric catheter insertion, fibreoptic bronchoscopic view of anatomical alignment of device with glottic opening. Quantitative variables were compared using unpaired t-test/Mann-Whitney Test, between the two groups. Qualitative variable were compared using Chi-Square test/Fisher’s-exact test. Results: Total time taken for successful insertion was significantly shorter with group i-gel as compared to group LMA supreme {median (IQR) {19 (18.25-21)} versus {24 (23-24)} with p-value ≤0.0001. Overall success rate of insertion (96.67% vs 97.78%, p=1.000) and oropharyngeal leak pressure (p-value=0.555) of i-gel and LMA-S were comparable. i-gel has better anatomic alignment with glottic opening as compared to LMA-S (p-value ≤0.0001). Gastric tube insertion was easy in all patients in both the groups. Conclusion: Shorter time for the insertion of i-gel was observed due to absence of inflatable cuff, although both LMA-S and i-gel are equally efficacious as ventilatory devices in patients with simulated difficult airway under general anaesthesia with controlled ventilation.

Technical factors associated with first-pass success during endotracheal intubation in children: analysis of videolaryngoscopy recordings

BackgroundFirst-pass success (FPS) during intubation is associated with lower morbidity for paediatric patients. Using videolaryngoscopy (VL) recordings, we reviewed technical aspects of intubation, including factors associated with FPS in children.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of intubation attempts performed using video-assisted laryngoscopy in a paediatric ED between January 2014 and December 2018. Data were abstracted from a quality assurance database, the electronic medical record and VL recordings. Our primary outcome was FPS. Intubation practices were analysed using descriptive statistics. Patient and procedural characteristics associated with FPS in univariate testing and clinical factors identified from the literature were included as covariates in a multivariable logistic regression. An exploratory analysis examined the relationship between position of the glottic opening on the video screen and FPS.ResultsIntubation was performed during 237 patient encounters, with 231 using video-assisted laryngoscopy. Data from complete video recordings were available for 129 attempts (59%); an additional 31 (13%) had partial recordings. Overall, 173 (73%) of first attempts were successful. Adjusting for patient age, placing the blade tip into the vallecula adjusted OR ((aOR) 7.2 (95% CI 1.7 to 30.1)) and obtaining a grade 1 or 2a-modified Cormack-Lehane glottic view on the videolaryngoscope screen (aOR 6.1 (95% CI 1.5 to 25.7) relative to grade 2b) were associated with increased FPS in the subset of patients with complete recordings. Exploratory analysis suggested that FPS is highest (81%) and duration is shortest when the glottic opening is located in the second quintile of the video screen.ConclusionsPlacement of the blade tip into the vallecula regardless of blade type, sufficient glottic visualisation and locating the glottic opening within the second quintile of the video screen were associated with FPS using video-assisted laryngoscopy in the paediatric ED.

Effects of Head Positions on Awake Orotracheal Intubation Via Fiberoptic-Bronchoscope: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: There are many factors affect the success rate of awake orotracheal intubation via fiberoptic bronchoscope. We performed this study to investigate the effects and safety of three head positions on awake orotracheal intubation via fiberoptic bronchoscope. Methods: Seventy-five adult patients with anticipated difficult airway, received general anaesthesia and undergoing awake orotracheal intubation were included in this study. According to the head position, the patients were randomized allocated to neutral position group (NP group), sniffing position group (SP group) or extension position group (EP group). After conscious sedation the patients were intubated by an experienced anesthesiologist. The time to view the vocal cords, the time to insert the tracheal tube into the trachea, the percentage of glottic opening scores (POGO) and the visual analog scale (VAS) scores for ease experienced of passing the tracheal tube through the glottis, the hemodynamic changes during intubation and the adverse events after surgery were recorded. Results: The time to view the vocal cords was significantly shorter and the POGO scores was significantly higher in the EP group compared with the other two groups (P<0.05); the SpO2 immediate after intubation was higher in the EP group compared with SP group (P<0.05) and the SpO2 before intubation was higher in the EP group compared with NP group (P<0.05), while at other time points the SpO2 had no significant difference among groups. The time to tracheal intubation, the VAS scores for passing the tracheal tube through glottis, the coughing scores of patients when inserted fiberoptic bronchoscope into the trachea and inserted the tracheal tube into the trachea over fiberoptic bronchoscope had no significant differences among groups (P>0.05). There were also no significant differences among the groups with regard to the incidence of postoperative complications, mean arterial pressure and heart rate at each time point (P>0.05). Conclusions: Extension position had a best view of glottic opening than neutral position or sniffing position during awake orotracheal intubation via fiberoptic bronchoscope, so extension position was recommended as the starting head position for awake orotracheal intubation using fiberoptic bronchoscope.Trial registration: Clinical Trials.gov. no. NCT 02792855. Registered at https://register.clinicaltrials.gov on 23 september 2017.

Comparison between video-lighted stylet (Intular Scope™) and direct laryngoscope for endotracheal intubation in patients with normal airway

Objective The Intular Scope™ (Medical Park, South Korea) (IS) is a video-lighted stylet that can be used for endotracheal intubation with excellent visualization by adding a camera to its end. We compared the efficacy of a direct laryngoscope (DL) with that of the IS based on hemodynamic changes, ease of intubation, and postoperative airway morbidities. Methods Seventy patients with expected normal airways were randomized for intubation using an IS (n = 35) or DL (n = 35). The primary outcome was the mean arterial pressure during intubation. The secondary outcomes were the time to intubation (TTI), percentage of glottic opening (POGO) score, and number of intubation attempts. The incidence and severity of bleeding, hoarseness, and sore throat after intubation were also recorded. Results Hemodynamic changes during intubation were not significantly different between the groups. The TTI was longer in the IS than DL group. The POGO score was higher in the IS than DL group. Hoarseness and sore throat were significantly less severe in the IS than DL group. Conclusions Using the IS did not significantly improve hemodynamics and resulted in a longer TTI. However, the IS was associated with less severe postoperative airway morbidities compared with the DL.

Comparison of two different shapes of stylets for intubation with the McGrath MAC® video laryngoscope: a randomized controlled trial

Objective This study was performed to compare two different shapes of stylets, 60° and J-shaped stylets, for intubation using the McGrath MAC® video laryngoscope (MVL). Methods Two hundred twenty-two patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to Group J (n = 111) or Group 60° (n = 111) and intubated using the MVL with the stylet bent into the allocated shape. The time to intubation (TTI) and other intubating profiles were compared between the groups. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between factors related to difficult intubation and TTI. Results The TTI was not different between the two groups. There were also no differences in the intubating profiles between the two groups. In both groups, the TTI was longer with a modified Mallampati score (mMS) of ≥3 and percentage of glottic opening (POGO) score of <50. In Group J, the TTI was longer with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2. Conclusion The TTI during tracheal intubation with the MVL was not different between the two groups. The TTI was longer with an mMS of ≥3 and POGO score of <50. In Group J, the TTI was longer with a BMI of ≥30 kg/m2.