A wide spread application of betamethasone gel on the tracheal tube decreases the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice.

Ephedrine either 75 or 100 microg kg(-1) given before rapid tracheal intubation using propofol and rocuronium bromide improves the intubation conditions. It is not effective in preventing the hypotension which follows ensuing induction of anaesthesia.

Background:We conducted this study to analyze the data of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) following postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) during one-year period, the interventions they received, and the outcome.Materials and Methods:Case records of patients admitted to ICU with PPH were analyzed. Data retrieved were as follows: Primary admission or referred case, duration between onset of PPH and arrival, condition at admission, resuscitative measures, procedures to manage PPH, presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and its management, duration of ICU stay, and the outcome.Results:Of 21 patients with PPH, 15 were admitted in the ICU. All were referred from other hospitals. Duration between onset of PPH and arrival was 6 (15) hours (mean [standard deviation]). All were conscious on arrival. In 10 patients, blood pressure was not recordable. Tachycardia was a common feature. One patient had bradycardia (54 bpm/BP not recordable). Resuscitative measures included oxygen supplementation and fluid resuscitation. Eight patients underwent uterine artery embolization, 2 patients underwent embolization followed by surgery, and 11 patients underwent surgical intervention only. Twelve patients had DIC on admission which was managed with blood component therapy. Duration of stay in ICU was 12.6 (5.4) days (mean [standard deviation]). Two patients expired following intractable DIC and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. Though these 2 patients had severe shock on presentation, they did not have DIC at the time of presentation.Conclusions:Despite early resuscitation and intensive care management, DIC is a major cause of mortality. Late onset DIC (onset after admission to ICU) was associated with poor outcome in this study.

Background:The standard recommended insertion technique for LMA Classic™ requires the insertion of index finger into the oral cavity. Several anesthesiologists are reluctant to do this. We conducted this study to evaluate the modified technique of insertion of LMA Classic™ (not requiring insertion of fingers into the patient's mouth) against the standard index finger insertion technique.Materials and Methods:This prospective, randomized, comparative study was conducted on 200 consenting patients. Patients suitable for anesthetic with LMA Classic™ were randomized to standard technique group (standard insertion technique) and modified technique group (technique not requiring digital intraoral manipulation). Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was inserted by five designated anesthesiologists. Anesthetic protocol was standardized. Time taken to achieve an effective airway, ease of insertion, glottic view obtained through LMA, and incidence of sore throat were assessed.Results:Patient characteristics and duration of surgery were comparable between the groups. Time to achieve an effective airway was comparable [18.5 (8) s with standard technique and 19.7 (10) s with modified technique; data are mean (standard deviation)]. Ease of insertion (92 easy with standard technique and 91 easy with modified technique), success rate (99% in both the groups), glottic view with fiberoptic bronchoscope, and sore throat incidence (six patients with standard technique and eight patients with modified technique) were comparable. The first attempt success rate was significantly higher with the standard technique (98 patients in the standard technique group and 91 patients in the modified technique group).Conclusions:LMA Classic™ can be inserted successfully without the need to insert index finger into patient's mouth, though the first attempt success rate is higher with the standard technique.

Introduction Optimum perioperative fluid therapy is important to improve the outcome of the surgical patient. This study prospectively compared goal-directed intraoperative fluid therapy with traditional fluid therapy in general surgical patients undergoing open major bowel surgery. Methodology Patients between 20 and 70 years of age, either gender, ASA I and II, and scheduled for elective open major bowel surgery were included in the study. Patients who underwent laparoscopic and other surgeries were excluded. After routine induction of general anaesthesia, the patients were randomised to either the control group (traditional fluid therapy), the FloTrac group (based on stroke volume variation), or the PVI group (based on pleth variability index). Fluid input and output, recovery characteristics, and complications were noted. Results 306 patients, with 102 in each group, were enrolled. Five patients (control (1), FloTrac (2), and PVI (2)) were inoperable and were excluded. Demographic data, ASA PS, anaesthetic technique, duration of surgery, and surgical procedures were comparable. The control group received significantly more crystalloids (3200 ml) than the FloTrac (2000 ml) and PVI groups (1875 ml), whereas infusion of colloids was higher in the FloTrac (400–700 ml) and PVI (200–500 ml) groups than in the control group (0–500 ml). The control group had significantly positive net fluid balance intraoperatively (2500 ml, 9 ml/kg/h) compared to the FloTrac (1515 ml, 5.4 ml/kg/h) and PVI (1420 ml, 6 ml/kg/h) groups. Days to ICU stay, HDU stay, return of bowel movement, oral intake, morbidity, duration of hospital stay, and survival rate were comparable. The total number of complications was not different between the three groups. Anastomotic leaks occurred more often in the Control group than in the others, but the numbers were small. Conclusions Use of goal-directed fluid management, either with FloTrac or pleth variability index results in a lower volume infusion and lower net fluid balance. However, the complication rate is similar to that of traditional fluid therapy. This trial is registered with CTRI/2018/04/013016.

Re-expansion pulmonary oedema (REPE) is a rare complication following re-inflation of a chronically collapsed lung, which is often fatal. We present a case of a 22-year-old male who presented to the hospital with severe respiratory distress and a history of blunt abdominal trauma 3 months back. He was diagnosed to have left sided diaphragmatic hernia with a mediastinal shift to the right, and was posted for emergency repair of the same. After surgical decompression of the left hemi-thorax and reduction of the abdominal contents, re-expansion of the left lung was achieved, following which patient developed REPE. A left sided double lumen tube was then inserted to prevent flooding and cross contamination of the right lung and ventilation of both lungs was maintained intraoperatively. Post-operatively, REPE was successfully managed by differential lung ventilation with a lung salvage strategy to the left lung and a lung protective strategy to the right lung.

LMA CTrachTM , a newer airway conduit, with its ability to ventilate and intubate is the ideal device for airway management for difficult airways. A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of this airway device in patients with anticipated difficult airway. 250 patients in whom LMA CTrach TM was used for endotracheal intubation was analyzed. These patients were analyzed for anticipated difficult airway, success rate of intubation with LMA CTrach TM , difficulties encountered and corrective measures applied. Fifty five patients had predictors of difficult airway and LMA CTrach TM was successful in all but one. Although successful intubation was achieved with LMA CTrach TM , difficulty in intubation was encountered in six patients. This could be overcome with excessive pressure, correctional manoeuvers or a larger size LMA CTrach TM . The most common predictors of difficult airway encountered were Modified Mallampati class 3, restricted extension, restricted mouth opening of two finger breadths and retrognathia. LMA CTrach TM is a useful airway device in a difficult airway scenario with the ability to ventilate and intubate the patient.

No abstract