Despite the possibility of a modest reduction in the risk of massive bleeding, the strong and consistent negative mortality trend associated with aprotinin, as compared with the lysine analogues, precludes its use in high-risk cardiac surgery. (Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN15166455 [controlled-trials.com].).

Introduction Various strategies have been proposed for postoperative pain control. Among those, intravenous lidocaine infusion (IVLI) has gained in interest. However, its clinical benefit remains unclear. This systematic review is an evaluation of the analgesic efficacy and safety of IVLI during general anesthesia. Methods A systematic search was performed using MED-LINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and SCOPUS databases, likewise, grey literature. The review included all randomized controlled trials that used a placebo or any comparator and evaluated IVLI during general anesthesia for any type of surgery. Primary outcomes were pain control and opioid requirement. Secondary outcomes were mortality, length of stay, ileus recovery time, nausea/vomiting, and adverse events. Random effects models were used and heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 index. to -5.56), time to first flatus (WMD -7.62 hr, 95% CI -10.78 to -4.45), time to first feces (WMD -10.71 hr, 95% CI -16.14 to -5.28), nausea/vomiting (risk ratios = 0.71, 95% CI 0.57-0.90), and hospital length of stay (WMD -0.17 days, 95% CI -0.41 to 0.07). Abdominal surgery was strongly associated with benefit. For the 12 studies that systematically screened adverse events, the Results 123Can J Anesth/J Can Anesth (2011) 58:22-37 DOI 10.1007/s12630-010-9407-0 incidence of cardiac and neurologic adverse events was comparable. Eight studies observed toxic plasma levels. Discussion Perioperative IVLI reduced postoperative pain and opioid requirement, as well as ileus recovery time, hospital length of stay, and nausea/vomiting. Intravenous lidocaine infusion was effective mainly in abdominal surgery populations. Considering that toxic levels were detected and that adverse events were not systematically screened for in most studies, dose and safety of IVLI should be established before recommending its use. RésuméIntroduction Plusieurs strate´gies ont e´te´propose´es pour le contrôle de la douleur postope´ratoire. Parmi ces strate´gies, la lidocaı¨ne par voie intraveineuse suscite un inte´reˆt croissant. Toutefois, ses avantages cliniques demeurent peu clairs. Cette revue me´thodique est une e´valuation de l'efficaciteá nalge´sique et de l'innocuite´de la lidocaı¨ne par voie intraveineuse pendant l'anesthe´sie ge´ne´rale. Méthode Une recherche me´thodique a e´te´re´alise´e dans les bases de donne´es MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane et SCOPUS ainsi que dans la litte´rature grise. Cette revue a tenu compte de toutes les e´tudes randomise´es contrôle´es ayant utilise´un placebo ou un traitement de re´fe´rence et e´value´la lidocaı¨ne par voie intraveineuse pendant l'anesthe´sie ge´ne´rale, quel que soit le type de chirurgie. Les principaux crite`res d'e´valuation e´taient le contrôle de la douleur et le besoin en opioı¨des. Les crite`res d'e´valuation secondaires e´taient la mortalite´, la dure´e d'hospitalisation, le temps de re´cupe´ration du transit intestinal, les nause´es et vomissements et les e´ve´nements inde´sirables. Des mode`les a`effets ale´atoires ont e´teú tilise´s e...

Obstruction of the airway in an adult with a mediastinal mass is a rare event in the intraoperative period. Nevertheless, caution should be observed for the occurrence of early postoperative life-threatening respiratory complications. Patient at high risk of perioperative complications can be identified by the occurrence of cardiopulmonary signs and symptoms at presentation, combined obstructive and restrictive pattern on pulmonary function tests, and computed tomography scan findings (tracheal compression > 50%, pericardial effusion, or both).

The success rate and the onset of complete sensory block after ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block are not enhanced by a triple injection of local anesthetic compared with a single injection posterior to the axillary artery.

The double-injection technique offers no benefit over a single injection for the performance of an ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block.

No abstract

Using this new technique, the LM-DLT is inserted deeper in the left mainstem bronchus. This new landmark augments the range of movement that can be tolerated without requiring repositioning of the LM-DLT. This NT to position and to assess LM-DLT, by transparency across the wall of the tube with FOB, is better adapted to the LM-DLT and its recent modifications.

Objective: A left-sided double lumen tube is recommended for one-lung ventilation for most thoracic surgeries, but for certain indications, a right-sided double lumen tube (R-DLT) may be mandatory. Frequent malposition of R-DLTs has been reported. We propose an innovative modification of Mallinckrodt's Broncho-Cath™ R-DLT consisting of an enlarged area of the lateral orifice, and studied the impact of this modification on the adequacy of R-DLT positioning.Methods: Eighty adult patients scheduled for elective thoracic surgery were randomized into two groups: standard BronchoCath™ R-DLT, or modified Broncho-Cath™ R-DLT. After induction of anesthesia, the R-DLT was positioned using a fibreoptic bronchoscope. The position of the R-DLT was assessed on three occasions: with the patient supine (T1), then immediately following the patient's transfer to the lateral position (T2), and after repositioning of the tube, when needed, with the patient in lateral position (T3). A score ranging from 1 to 4 was accorded to the relative position of the right upper lobe (RUL) orifice in relation to the origin of the RUL bronchus. Results:The modified Broncho-Cath™ R-DLT was more frequently in an adequate position at T2: 77% vs 37% of patients (P = 0.0121), and easier to reposition at T3: 97% vs 74% of patients (P = 0.0109) in comparison to the standard BronchoCath™ R-DLT group. Conclusion:These data suggest the superiority of the modified Broncho-Cath™ R-DLT compared to a standard BronchoCath™ R-DLT for optimal R-DLT positioning to facilitate one-lung ventilation during thoracic surgery.