General anaesthesia with a muscle relaxant is usually performed for rigid bronchoscopy (RB), but ventilation is challenging due to large amounts of leakage. Optiflow™ supplies 100% humidified, warmed oxygen at a rate of up to 70 l/min and this high flow rate may overcome the leakage problem. This case report describes four patients that were scheduled for RB. The lung lesions were all located below the carina, so a bronchial tube was inserted under general anaesthesia. Once a large amount of leakage was confirmed by manual ventilation, Optiflow™ was connected to the bronchial tube (flow rate, 70 l/min). All of the ports of the bronchoscopy were left open to prevent the risk of outlet obstruction. Oxygenation was well maintained with stable vital signs throughout the procedures, which took up to 34 min without airway intervention. There were no occurrences of cardiac arrhythmia or changes in the electrocardiograms. Respiratory acidosis recovered after emergence, which was confirmed by arterial blood gas analysis in all cases. Apnoeic oxygenation using Optiflow™ was applied successfully during RB. Applying Optiflow™ could make cases of difficult ventilation during RB much easier for the anaesthetist. Larger studies need to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of this technique.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful and safe imaging modality for examining preterm infants. However, MRI examination requires careful precautions, and infants and children are likely to require deep sedation or anesthesia to keep them still during the examination. Sedation has various risks and the greatest concern of sedation is cardiorespiratory events. In addition, delicate titration is also necessary for preterm infants because propofol pharmacokinetics is different from those in older children. We successfully completed sedation of a preterm neonate (gestational age, 32+1 weeks; birth weight, 1,970 g) with a history of frequent apnea through careful assessment and continuous monitoring. We want to suggest alternative options for airway management of the high risk of respiratory complications.
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