No abstract

In 85 patients (mean age 4.6 +/- 3.1 years, range 0-10 years), a prototype of a new videolaryngoscope was used to provide a display of the intubation procedure in a paediatric anaesthesia teaching unit. The device provided important information to the teacher about the trainee's problems related to direct laryngoscopy, difficulties with tube insertion into the larynx as well as the need and extent for anterior laryngeal pressure. Because the videolaryngoscope did not impair the normal intubation procedure, it seems to be a safe and a benefical tool for teaching and supervising tracheal intubation in children. In addition, it provides a potentially useful aid during difficult laryngoscopy, since the monitor view of the vocal cords was significantly better compared with a direct laryngoscopic view (P < 0.001).

Intravenous ketamine plus midazolam is a suitable, simple and fast anaesthetic technique for short, painful ambulatory procedures. Considering the possibility of potentially serious respiratory complications, it should be performed only by qualified anaesthesia staff who are trained in advanced airway management.

Most cuffed paediatric tracheal tubes are poorly designed, in particular the smaller sizes. A better design of cuffed tubes with a short high-volume, low-pressure cuff, cuff-free subglottic space and adequately placed depth markings are urgently needed.

While fiberoptic TARTEF through the tracheal tube with IPPV did expedite and facilitate surgery, it did not cause clinically relevant impairment of ventilation. Careful manipulation during fiberoptic assessment is required to avoid tube displacement.