Predictors of post-extubation stridor in patients on mechanical ventilation: a prospective observational study

The cuff leak test (CLT) has been widely accepted as a simple and noninvasive method for predicting post-extubation stridor (PES). However, its accuracy and clinical impact remain uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the reliability of CLT and to assess the impact of pre-extubation variables on the incidence of PES. A prospective observational study was performed on adult critically ill patients who required mechanical ventilation for more than 24 h. Patients were extubated after the successful spontaneous breathing trial, and CLT was conducted before extubation. Of the 191 patients studied, 26 (13.6%) were deemed positive through CLT. PES developed in 19 patients (9.9%) and resulted in a higher reintubation rate (8.1% vs. 52.6%, p < 0.001) and longer intensive care unit stay (8 [4.5–14] vs. 12 [8–30.5] days, p = 0.01) than patients without PES. The incidence of PES and post-extubation outcomes were similar in patients with both positive and negative CLT results. Compared with patients without PES, patients with PES had longer durations of endotracheal intubation and required endotracheal suctioning more frequently during the 24-h period prior to extubation. After adjusting for confounding factors, frequent endotracheal suctioning more than 15 times per day was associated with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.97 (95% confidence interval, 1.01–8.77) for PES. In conclusion, frequent endotracheal suctioning before extubation was a significant PES predictor in critically ill patients. Further investigations of its impact on the incidence of PES and patient outcomes are warranted.

Laryngeal air column width ratio in predicting postextubation stridor

Background Cuff leak test (CLT) has been used widely to assess upper airway patency before extubation but with low positive predictive value. Aim To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the airway column width ratio (ACWR) in predicting postextubation stridor (PES). Patients and methods 50 Patients who intubated &gt;24 hours were observed for postextubation stridor and reintubation. Laryngeal ultrasound was done to measure the ACW with ETT cuff deflated immediately after intubation and 3–4 h before extubation. Cuff leak test was done. Results Fifty patients were included with mean age 58 ± 14.71 years, 68% were males and 32% were females. PES developed in 8% of patients. There was highly statistically significant difference between both groups regarding ACW before extubation and ACW ratio (p-value =0.006 and 0.000 respectively). The mean ACW ratio in stridor group (0.79 ± 0.03) was significantly lower than in non-stridor group (0.94 ± 0.04). Reintubation was higher in stridor group (100%) than non-stridor group (23.9%), P = 0.001. There was statistically significant higher duration of mechanical ventilation in stridor group (7.50 ± 0.58 vs. 4.23 ± 2.50 days, P = 0.013). A cut off point of ACW ratio ≤0.81 has a sensitivity 100% and Specificity 100%. Conclusion ACW showed excellent utility in prediction of patients with PES. Air column width ratio of ≤ 0.81 was a good predictor of PES.

Difficult Airway Management in Pediatric with a Large Cystic Hygroma Colli Undergoing One-Stage Excision Surgery

Background: A large cystic hygroma colli is a complicating factor in airway management in pediatric. Proper preparation, planning, and anticipation can reduce the risk of complications, morbidity, and mortality during difficult airway management. The fundamental principle of difficult airway management is to maintain adequate oxygenation and avoid hypoxemia by maintaining spontaneous ventilation. Case: A 22-month-old girl, weighing 9 kg, diagnosed with a large cystic hygroma colli who underwent single-stage excision surgery. Cystic hygroma was experienced since birth and with age, the cysts enlarge to a size of 25 x 17 x 12 cm which extends towards the face and shoulders. The patient did not experience stridor and symptoms of airway obstruction. The chest x-ray reveals no expansion of the cyst into the chest cavity and showed minimal tracheal deviation to the right. The difficult airway management was accomplished while maintaining the patient's spontaneous breathing. Sedation and analgesia obtained with intravenous administration of dexmedetomidine, ketamine, and nebulized lidocaine. A video laryngoscope is used to facilitate intubation. Awake extubation was performed after confirming that there was no risk of complications of laryngeal edema, laryngeal nerve injury, and tracheomalacia using a cuff-leak test. Conclusion: Maintaining spontaneous breathing, optimal levels of sedation and analgesia by administering dexmedetomidine, ketamine, and nebulizing lidocaine, and the use of a video laryngoscope can provide successful management of difficult airways due to a large cystic hygroma colli in pediatric patients.

The Effect of Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy versus Standard Fluid Therapy on the Cuff Leak Gradient in Patients Undergoing Complex Spine Surgery in Prone Position

Objective Cuff leak test is an effective and established maneuver to predict airway edema. Standard fluid therapy (SFT) based on conventional monitoring is often associated with postoperative airway edema after complex spine surgeries. We conducted this prospective randomized controlled study to compare the effect of SFT versus goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) on the cuff leak gradient (CLG) in patients undergoing complex spine surgery in prone position. Our secondary objectives were to compare the effect of SFT and GDFT on sore throat, hoarseness, and length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay. Materials and Methods Thirty consecutive American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II patients (18–60 years), of either sex, scheduled for spine surgery in prone position with expected duration of surgery more than 5 hours were included. The patients were randomized into two groups of 15 each. Group S patients (n = 15) served as control group and received SFT intraoperatively, while patients in group G (n = 15) received GDFT. Standard anesthetic protocol was followed in both the groups. The CLG was defined as the difference between the cuff leak volume (CLV) after intubation (CLVAI) and before extubation (CLVBE). Statistical Analysis and Results CLG was significantly less in group G (group S, 137.12 mL; group G, 65.52 mL; p-value <0.001). Intravenous fluids, blood loss, and postoperative sore throat were comparatively lesser in group G, though not statistically significant. Postoperative hoarseness was significantly lower in group G (p-value = 0.003). Duration of ICU stay in group G (19.43 hours) was significantly lower (p-value = 0.009) than group S (24.64 hours), but length of hospital stay was comparable. Conclusion GDFT significantly reduces airway edema and consequently reduces CLG as compared with SFT in patients undergoing complex spine surgery in prone position. Postoperatively, it also reduces sore throat, hoarseness of voice, and duration of ICU stay.