Short Thyromental Distance: A Predictor of Difficult Intubation or an Indicator for Small Blade Selection?
Tripathi, Mukesh M.D., M.N.A.M.S. ; Pandey, Mamta M.D., P.G.D.H.H.M. 
Anesthesiology. 104(6):1131-1136, June 2006.

Background: Short thyromental distance (TMD; < 5 cm) has been correlated with difficult direct laryngoscopic intubation in adult patients. The authors hypothesized that a smaller Macintosh curved blade (No. 2 MCB) would improve the predicted difficult laryngoscopy in short-TMD patients over that with a standard Macintosh curved blade (No. 3 MCB).
Methods: In a preliminary study of 11 consenting adults (7 females and 4 males), American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and TMD <= 5 cm, lateral neck radiographs were recorded during laryngoscopy with a No. 2 and No. 3 MCB in sequential fashion. In a prospective clinical study, laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation were evaluated in 83 adult patients with TMD <= 5cm by randomly assigning them to two groups for the blade used at first intubation. Those who failed intubation with the first blade were switched to the alternate blade. In total 100 laryngoscopies and intubations were performed: the No. 2 MCB (n = 50) and the No. 3 MCB (n = 50).
Results: Lateral neck radiographs recorded at the best laryngeal view revealed that the tip of the No. 2 MCB was proximal to the hyoid body with the No. 2 MCB and distal to it with the No. 3 MCB. The intubation distance (C5 to blade tip) on neck radiographs with the No. 2 MCB was significantly greater than it was with the No. 3 MCB for similar anterior jaw displacement. In the clinical study, the laryngoscopic grade with the No. 2 blade was considered easy (median, 2B), better than the grade with the No. 3 MCB (median, 3). When the No. 2 MCB was used, external laryngeal pressure improved the laryngoscopic grade (1, full glottic view) in 46% of patients. In contrast, when the No. 3 MCB was used, pressure improved the grade in only 10% of the patients. Intubation time with the No. 2 MCB was significantly (P < 0.05) less than it was in patients with No. 3 MCB. Overall, 14 patients who failed intubation with the No. 3 MCB were switched to the No. 2 MCB, and intubation was successful with an easy laryngoscopic grade. Three patients who failed intubation with the No. 2 MCB were switched to the No. 3 MCB.
Conclusions: The predicted difficult laryngoscopy and intubation with the use of the adult No. 3 MCB in standard adult patients with a TMD <= 5cm is significantly easier with use of the smaller No. 2 MCB.

Comparison of Three Disposable Extraglottic Airway Devices in Spontaneously Breathing Adults: The LMA-Unique [TM], the Soft Seal Laryngeal Mask, and the Cobra Perilaryngeal Airway.
van Zundert, Andre M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.A. ; Al-Shaikh, Baha F.C.A.R.C.S.I., F.R.C.A. ; Brimacombe, Joseph M.D., M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.A. ; Koster, Jurgen M.D.; Koning, Dick
Anesthesiology. 104(6):1165-1169, June 2006.

Background: The authors compared three disposable extraglottic airway devices in spontaneously breathing anesthetized adults: the LMA-Unique [TM] (LMA-U; The Laryngeal Mask Company, San Diego, CA), the Soft Seal(R) laryngeal mask (SS-LM; Portex Ltd., Hythe, United Kingdom), and the Cobra perilaryngeal airway (Cobra-PLA [TM]; Engineered Medical Systems, Inc. Indianapolis, IN).
Methods: Three hundred twenty consecutive adults (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-III; aged 18-80 yr) were randomly allocated for airway management with one of the three devices. Anesthesia was with fentanyl-propofol for induction and a sevoflurane-nitrous oxide-oxygen-fentanyl mixture for maintenance. Intraoperative data were collected by an unblinded observer about ease of insertion, effective airway time, oropharyngeal leak pressure, anatomical position (determined with a rigid endoscope), intracuff pressure changes, and airway trauma. Data were collected by a blinded observer about sore throat, dysphagia, and dysphonia 2 h after surgery.
Results: Insertion was easier with the LMA-U and SS-LM than with the Cobra-PLA (P < 0.02), but the overall failure rates were similar. Effective airway times were similar among groups. Oropharyngeal leak pressure was lower with the LMA-U than with the SS-LM and Cobra-PLA (P < 0.001). Intracuff pressure increased during surgery with all extraglottic airway devices. Anatomical position was better with the Cobra-PLA than with the SS-LMA (P < 0.001) and better with the SS-LM than with LMA-U (P < 0.001). Blood staining was detected more frequently with the Cobra-PLA than with the LMA-U and SS-LM (P < 0.001), but there were no differences in airway morbidity.
Conclusion: The LMA-U and SS-LM are easier to insert and cause less trauma than the Cobra-PLA, but the Cobra-PLA has a more effective seal than the LMA-U and better endoscopically determined anatomical position than the LMA-U and SS-LM.

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA - TOP

The effect of gabapentin on post-operative pain following tonsillectomy in adults
S. Mikkelsen, K. L. Hilsted, P. J. Andersen, N.-C. Hjortsø, T. P. Enggaard, D. G. Jørgensen, M. Hansen1, J. Henriksen and J. B. Dahl
Volume 5,0 Issue 7, Page 888  - August 2006

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a combination of rofecoxib and gabapentin could improve pain relief and reduce opioid requirements, compared with rofecoxib alone, during the first 5 days after tonsillectomy.
Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 49 patients received gabapentin 1200 mg pre-operatively, followed by gabapentin 2 × 600 mg on the day of operation and gabapentin 3 × 600 mg for the next 5 days, or placebo. Both groups were given rofecoxib 50 mg daily. In the post-operative care unit, intravenous morphine was administered in doses of 2.5 mg on request. From 4 h to 5 days post-operatively, ketobemidone was offered as escape drug. Pain at rest and during swallowing, and side-effects, were assessed using a four-point verbal rating scale.
Results: As a result of the global withdrawal of rofecoxib, the study had to be terminated prematurely. This report comprises the results from 22 patients in the gabapentin group and 27 patients in the placebo group. Gabapentin reduced ketobemidone requirements during the first 24 h post-operatively [4.5 mg (standard deviation, 3.0 mg) in the placebo group vs. 2.0 mg (standard deviation, 2.0 mg) in the gabapentin group; P < 0.003]. Gabapentin induced more dizziness (P < 0.002), gait disturbance (P < 0.02) and vomiting (P < 0.05) during days 0–5 than placebo. No other statistically significant differences were observed.
Conclusion: Gabapentin reduced opioid requirements in the first 24 h after tonsillectomy. The benefits of the reduced opioid intake may be overshadowed by the drawbacks of side-effects.

The former preterm infant and risk of post-operative apnoea: recommendations for management
S. Walther-Larsen and L. S. Rasmussen
Volume 50, Issue 7, Page 888-893, Aug 2006 

The preterm infant presenting for anaesthesia during the first 6 months of life is a major anaesthetic challenge. One of the most serious post-operative complications is apnoea with or without bradycardia. For this review, we conducted a search of the current literature in order to formulate a set of evidence-based clinical guidelines to help clinicians in the management of the former preterm infant to avoid post-operative apnoea. Only a small number of patients have been enrolled into prospective, randomized, controlled studies. Based on the current literature, regional anaesthesia is strongly recommended, preferably neuraxial block, but general anaesthesia is also used and in this setting, opioids and muscle relaxants should be avoided. Infants with a post-conceptual age of less than 46 weeks should be admitted for continuous monitoring for at least 12 h post-operatively. In infants with a post-conceptual age (PCA) between 46 and 60 weeks, a careful assessment of the child is mandatory and 12 h of respiratory monitoring is recommended if the patient's history reveals episodes of apnoea at home, chronic lung disease (CLD), neurological disease or anaemia. The otherwise healthy infant could be scheduled for theatre as the first patient on the list and subsequently monitored in the post-anaesthetic care unit for 6 h. The risk of apnoea in former preterm infants can be further reduced by the administration of intravenous caffeine (10 mg/kg). All of these patients should be referred to a tertiary centre for anaesthesia and surgery.

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIA - TOP

Depth of anaesthesia monitoring: what's available, what's validated and what's next? (REVIEW ARTICLE)
J. Bruhn, P. S. Myles, R. Sneyd and M. M. R. F. Struys
British Journal of Anaesthesia 2006 97(1):85-94

Depth of anaesthesia monitors might help to individualize anaesthesia by permitting accurate drug administration against the measured state of arousal of the patient. In addition, the avoidance of awareness or excessive anaesthetic depth might result in improved patient outcomes. Various depth of anaesthesia monitors based on processed analysis of the EEG or mid-latency auditory-evoked potentials are commercially available as surrogate measures of anaesthetic drug effect. However, not all of them are validated to the same extent.

CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANESTHESIA - TOP

Nerve stimulator guided pudendal nerve block versus general anesthesia for hemorrhoidectomy
Zoher Naja, MD, Mariam El-Rajab, MD, Mohamad Al-Tannir, MPH, Fouad Ziade, PhD, Riad Zbibo, MD, Mustafa Oweidat, MD and Per-Arne Lönnqvist, PhD
Canadian Journal of Anesthesia 53:579-585 (2006)

Purpose: A randomized clinical trial was undertaken to test the hypothesis that patients receiving a nerve stimulator guided pudendal nerve block for hemorrhoidectomy would experience more effective and prolonged postoperative analgesia and shorter hospital stay compared to patients receiving general anesthesia.
Methods: This was a prospective randomized observer-blinded study. Following Ethics Committee approval and informed consent, 80 patients scheduled for hemorrhoidectomy were randomized to two groups of 40 patients each: general anesthesia alone, or nerve stimulator guided pudendal nerve block. Postoperative pain, the primary outcome variable of the study, was assessed by visual analogue scale scores at predetermined intervals during the postoperative period. Analgesic consumption, time to return to normal activities, patients’ and surgeons’ satisfaction, and duration of hospital stay were recorded.
Results: The guided pudendal nerve block group failed in three patients, requiring their conversion to general anesthesia. Otherwise, patients in the pudendal nerve block group experienced better postoperative pain relief at rest (P < 0.0001), on walking, sitting, and defecation (P < 0.001), reduced need for opioids (11/35 vs 32/37; P < 0.0001), a more rapid return to normal activities (7.2 vs 13.8 days; P < 0.0001) and also a shorter hospital stay (25/35 vs 3/37 outpatient cases; P < 0.0001) compared to the general anesthesia group. Pudendal nerve block was also associated with overall higher patient satisfaction compared to general anesthesia (30/35 vs 9/37; P < 0.0001).
Conclusion: Nerve stimulator guided pudendal nerve block is associated with reduced postoperative pain, shortened hospital stay, and earlier return to normal activity compared to general anesthesia for hemorrhoidectomy.

Evidence-based clinical update: General anesthesia and the risk of delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction
Bryson GL, Wyand A.
Can J Anaesth. 2006 Jul;53(7):669-77.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this structured, evidence-based, clinical update was to identify the best evidence comparing general and regional anesthesia and their influence on delirium or cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in the postoperative period. SOURCE: In June 2005 a structured search of MEDLINE from 1966 to present using OVID software was undertaken. Medical subject headings and textwords describing both delirium and POCD were employed. OVID's Therapy (sensitivity) algorithm was used to maximize the detection of randomized trials. The bibliographies of eligible publications were hand-searched to identify trials not identified in the electronic search. Publications enrolling children were excluded. Levels of evidence and grades of recommendations were scored using Centre for Evidence Based Medicine criteria.
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A total of 18 unique randomized controlled trials were identified: two evaluating delirium; ten evaluating POCD; and six evaluating both. Outcomes for delirium were abstracted from eight trials that enrolled 765 patients (387 regional anesthesia; 378 general anesthesia). Outcomes for POCD were identified from 16 trials that enrolled 2,708 patients (1,313 regional anesthesia; 1,395 general anesthesia). Both delirium (11-43%) and POCD (15-25%) were relatively common in trials actively seeking these outcomes. Consistent Level 2b evidence suggests no significant increase in delirium in patients receiving general anesthesia compared with those receiving regional anesthesia. Similarly, consistent Level 1 evidence indicates that exposure to general anesthesia is not significantly associated with POCD.
CONCLUSION: Available randomized controlled trials suggest that there is no significant difference in the incidence of delirium or POCD when general anesthesia and regional anesthesia are compared.

PUB MED - TOP

      
Similar recovery from bispectral index-titrated isoflurane and sevoflurane anesthesia after outpatient gynecological surgery.
Seitsonen ER, Yli-Hankala AM, Korttila KT.
J Clin Anesth. 2006 Jun;18(4):272-9.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the recovery of gynecological day-case patients is equally fast after isoflurane and sevoflurane anesthesia, when administration of the inhaled agent is adjusted by monitoring the bispectral index (BIS).
DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blinded clinical study.
SETTING: University-affiliated women's hospital. PATIENTS: 120 adult female patients, ASA physical status I or II, scheduled for ambulatory surgery under general anesthesia.
INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to receive either isoflurane or sevoflurane as the maintenance anesthetic. BIS values were titrated to remain between 50 and 60 during the maintenance of anesthesia by adjusting the inspired concentration of the inhaled agent. Administration of the inhaled agent was discontinued abruptly at the end of the procedure.
MEASUREMENTS: The times to achieving several recovery end points were recorded. The main outcome parameter was the time to home-readiness. In the postoperative care unit, sedation was evaluated with the digit-symbol substitution test. The degree of pain and nausea was evaluated on the visual analog scale.
MAIN RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the times to home-readiness, or in any other parameters of early or intermediate recovery between the 2 groups. The degrees of sedation, pain, and nausea in the postoperative care unit were similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Isoflurane and sevoflurane are equally acceptable maintenance anesthetics in terms of the speed and quality of recovery in gynecological ambulatory surgery patients when the dose of the inhaled agent is adjusted to achieve a BIS between 50 and 60.

A Prospective Study of Complications for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography and Endoscopic Ultrasound in an Ambulatory Endoscopy Center.
Mahnke D, Chen YK, Antillon MR, Brown WR, Mattison R, Shah RJ.
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado USA.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Jun 21

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Our aim was to assess the safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in an ambulatory endoscopy center (AEC).
METHODS: Complications occurring in consecutive patients undergoing ERCP or EUS from March 2003 to February 2004 at our AEC were recorded prospectively. Comprehensive complications were defined as consensus criteria plus other adverse events: use of reversal agents, unplanned hospital admission, hospitalization beyond planned 23-hour observation, unplanned emergency department or primary care provider visit, and 30-day mortality.
RESULTS: A total of 497 patients (median age, 57 y; 82% American Society of Anesthesiologists class II or III) underwent 685 procedures. Monitored or general anesthesia was used in 25% of EUS and 50% of ERCP procedures. ERCP interventions were as follows: biliary or pancreatic stenting (N = 168), stone extraction (N = 70), sphincterotomy (N = 62), sphincter of Oddi manometry (N = 53), other (N = 66). EUS indications were as follows: known or suspected pancreatic mass (N = 103), upper-gastrointestinal mass/submucosal lesion (N = 71), luminal malignancy staging (N = 40), other (N = 96); 52% had EUS fine-needle aspiration. There was follow-up evaluation in 94% of the patients. There were 43 comprehensive ERCP complications (12.9%), 18 (5.4%) of these fit consensus criteria: pancreatitis (N = 14), cholangitis (N = 2), and perforation (N = 2). There were 9 comprehensive EUS complications (2.9%), 2 (.7%) of these fit consensus criteria: pancreatitis (N = 1) and bleeding (N = 1). Other adverse events for ERCP and EUS were as follows: prolongation of 23-hour observation (N = 14), emergency room visits (N = 3), primary care physician visits (N = 6), use of reversal agents (N = 3), unplanned admissions (N = 2), infection (N = 3), and death (N = 1).
CONCLUSIONS: ERCP and EUS can be performed in an AEC, provided mechanisms for admission and anesthesia support are in place. The assessment of comprehensive complications is more reflective of adverse events related to ERCP and EUS than consensus criteria alone.

Pain relief following breast augmentation surgery: a comparison between incisional patient-controlled regional analgesia and traditional oral analgesia.
Rawal N, Gupta A, Helsing M, Grell K, Allvin R.
Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2006 Jun 19;:1-8
 
Background and objectives: Postoperative pain is a common problem following ambulatory breast augmentation surgery. This study was performed to compare standard of care (oral analgesics) with patient-controlled incisional regional analgesia (PCRA) for postoperative pain management at home for 48 h. A second aim was to compare the analgesic efficacy of ropivacaine 0.25% vs. 0.5%.
Methods: Surgery was performed under local anaesthesia and monitored anesthesia care. Sixty adults (ASA 1-2) were randomized to one of two groups. Patients in Group PCRA could self-administer ropivacaine 0.25% 10 mL in the left breast and ropivacaine 0.5% in the right breast. Patients in Group T (tablets) received our standard of care treatment, i.e. oral paracetamol 1 g four times a day and oral ibuprofen 500 mg three times a day. Parameters measured included: analgesic requirements (in post-anesthesia care unit, PACU and post-discharge), pain intensity (visual analogue scale), patient satisfaction, global analgesia, side-effects, and quality of recovery.
Results: Pain scores were significantly lower in Group PCRA compared to Group T at all time periods (P < 0.05). No differences were found in pain scores between the right and left breasts. Significantly more patients in Group T requested analgesics in the recovery unit (27 vs. 7; P = 0.001) and also at home (20 vs. 11; P < 0.02). More patients in the tablet group had nausea and vomiting (10 vs. 3; P < 0.05). Global analgesia on day 2 was significantly better in PCRA group; however, patient satisfaction was similar in both groups. More patients in the tablet group had sleep disturbance and woke up at night due to pain.
Conclusions: Pain relief after ambulatory breast augmentation is superior with incisional PCRA when compared to oral analgesic combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen. Incisional PCRA was associated with minimal side-effects and less sleep disturbance. There was no difference in the analgesic efficacy between ropivacaine 0.25% and 0.5%.

Analgesic efficacy of perioperative celecoxib in ambulatory arthroscopic knee surgery: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Ekman EF, Wahba M, Ancona F.
Arthroscopy. 2006 Jun;22(6):635-42.

PURPOSE: To examine whether celecoxib, administered perioperatively, reduces opioid consumption and opioid-related adverse effects, and provides effective analgesia, in patients undergoing ambulatory arthroscopic knee meniscectomy.
METHODS: Patients (> or = 18 years) with diagnosed knee meniscus disease were given celecoxib (400 mg; n = 99) or placebo (n = 101) 1 hour before they underwent arthroscopic knee surgery; this was followed by celecoxib (200 mg) or placebo given postoperatively at their first request for pain medication. Surgery was performed with patients under general anesthesia (fentanyl, 1 to 3 microg/kg plus 0.25% intra-articular bupivacaine, 10 to 20 mL) administered at the index joint. Every 4 to 6 hours, patients were allowed 1 to 2 tablets of hydrocodone bitartrate 5 mg/acetaminophen 500 mg (and optional opioids as needed). All efficacy analyses were conducted in the modified intent-to-treat population.
RESULTS: In the 24 hours following surgery, total opioid consumption was significantly reduced in the celecoxib group (3.6 tablets) compared with the placebo group (4.6 tablets; P = .009). Celecoxib was associated with significant reductions in opioid consumption compared with placebo at 10 to 12 hours (P = .005) and at 12 to 24 hours (P = .012). The percentage of placebo-treated patients (41%) who required opioid analgesics was significantly greater than the percentage of celecoxib-treated patients who required opioids (22%; P = .008) at 10 to 12 hours. Adverse events (AEs) were experienced by more patients in the placebo group (37%) than in the celecoxib group (18%). Incidences of opioid-related events, such as central nervous system disorders (12% v 3%, respectively) and constipation (5% v 1%, respectively), were higher in placebo-treated patients than in those given celecoxib.
CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative administration of celecoxib plus optional opioids reduces the use of opioids and the occurrence of opioid-related AEs compared with treatment with placebo plus optional opioids given to patients undergoing arthroscopic knee meniscectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study.

Effects of Metoclopramide and Ranitidine on Preoperative Gastric Contents in Day-Case Surgery 
Jeong-Yeon Hong
Yonsei Med J 2006 June;47(3):315-318

This prospective, randomized, double-blinded study was performed to evaluate the effects of intravenous metoclopramide and ranitidine on preoperative gastric contents in outpatients receiving intravenous anesthesia for laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Fifteen minutes before the induction of anesthesia, the Z-M group (n=20) received 50mg ranitidine and 10mg metoclopramide intravenously and the control group (n=20) received the same volume of normal saline. Before the surgery, a 14-F multiorifice nasogastric tube was inserted to aspirate the gastric contents of patients under sedation with propofol and midazolam. The mean pH values of the gastric fluid were 2.7 ± 2.0 (SD) [median 1.6 (range: 1.2-7.2)] in the control group, and 6.1 ± 1.9 [median 6.8 (range 1.4-7.8)] in the Z-M group. The mean aspirated volumes (mL) were 15.3 ± 10.4 (SD) [median 11.0 (range: 5.0-44.0)] in the control group, and 6.9 ± 10.0 (SD) [median 4.5 (range: 0-38.0)] in the Z-M group. There were significantly more high-risk (gastric fluid volumes > 25mL and pH < 2.5) patients in the control group (4/20, 20%) than in the Z-M group (1/20, 5%). In conclusion, intravenous prophylactic ranitidine and metoclopramide may be an easy and useful method to decrease the volume while increasing the pH of gastric contents, and therefore may reduce the number of patients at risk for aspiration pneumonitis in ambulatory laparoscopic procedures who receive an anesthesia.    

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