None.

Patient-controlled sedation is an effective alternative to premedication with narcotic/benzodiazepine combinations during colonoscopy.

A retrospective study of admissions to a Level 1 Trauma Centre, revealed 393 patients with traumatic cervical spine injuries. All 36patients intubated urgently and 37and 68patients intubated between 30min and 24 h of admission, were intubated orally, following a rapid sequence induction with the application of cricoidpressure and manual in-line stabilisation of the head and neck. There were no neurological sequelae in these 73patients (95% confidence interval &40/). This technique for airway management is described in detail. It is a safe, familiar, and effective method for securing the airway in patients with cervical spine injury.

PCS with propofol and alfentanil is an effective, short-acting form of sedation for patients undergoing colonoscopy and may be an alternative to benzodiazepines.

Background Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, the practice of ventilation, and outcome in invasively ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remain unexplored. In this analysis we aim to address these gaps using individual patient data of four large observational studies. MethodsIn this pooled analysis we harmonised individual patient data from the ERICC, LUNG SAFE, PRoVENT, and PRoVENT-iMiC prospective observational studies, which were conducted from June, 2011, to December, 2018, in 534 ICUs in 54 countries. We used the 2016 World Bank classification to define two geoeconomic regions: middleincome countries (MICs) and high-income countries (HICs). ARDS was defined according to the Berlin criteria. Descriptive statistics were used to compare patients in MICs versus HICs. The primary outcome was the use of low tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) for the first 3 days of mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes were key ventilation parameters (tidal volume size, positive end-expiratory pressure, fraction of inspired oxygen, peak pressure, plateau pressure, driving pressure, and respiratory rate), patient characteristics, the risk for and actual development of acute respiratory distress syndrome after the first day of ventilation, duration of ventilation, ICU length of stay, and ICU mortality. Findings Of the 7608 patients included in the original studies, this analysis included 3852 patients without ARDS, of whom 2345 were from MICs and 1507 were from HICs. Patients in MICs were younger, shorter and with a slightly lower body-mass index, more often had diabetes and active cancer, but less often chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure than patients from HICs. Sequential organ failure assessment scores were similar in MICs and HICs. Use of LTVV in MICs and HICs was comparable (42•4% vs 44•2%; absolute difference -1•69 [-9•58 to 6•11] p=0•67; data available in 3174 [82%] of 3852 patients). The median applied positive end expiratory pressure was lower in MICs than in HICs (5 [IQR 5-8] vs 6 [5-8] cm H 2 O; p=0•0011). ICU mortality was higher in MICs than in HICs (30•5% vs 19•9%; p=0•0004; adjusted effect 16•41% [95% CI 9•52-23•52]; p<0•0001) and was inversely associated with gross domestic product (adjusted odds ratio for a US$10 000 increase per capita 0•80 [95% CI 0•75-0•86]; p<0•0001).Interpretation Despite similar disease severity and ventilation management, ICU mortality in patients without ARDS is higher in MICs than in HICs, with a strong association with country-level economic status.