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Rationale: Rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia enables performing diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures in the tracheobronchial tree. As most patients undergoing rigid bronchoscopy have moderate to severe respiratory disease or central airway obstruction, the operators often face the risk of hypoxemia when inserting the rigid bronchoscope into the patients’ airway. Applying high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy before the insertion of the bronchoscope allows to maintain high fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) and thus leading to maximizing apnea time before desaturation. Patient concerns and diagnosis: Case 1: A 70-year-old female patient was diagnosed with lung cancer in the left lower lobe and a tracheal mass of about 2.6 cm ∗ 0.8 cm in size. Case 2: A male patient, 77 years old, 55.7 kg and 157.3 cm in height, had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and was scheduled for the bronchoscopic volume reduction surgery upon exacerbation of his symptoms of dyspnea and cough with sputum. Interventions: Preoxygenation was performed with HFNC (Fisher&Paykel Optiflow Thrive TM , New Zealand) for 3 minutes before the administration of anesthetic medications. The oxygen flow was set at 50 L/min and the FiO2 at 1.0. SpO2 increased to 100%. Outcomes: The HFNC oxygen has shown its effectiveness in safely maintaining the patients’ SpO2 during the prolonged apneic period of inserting bronchoscope. Lessons: HFNC oxygen is an effective tool in oxygenating the patients during the induction of rigid bronchoscopy, and that it may be a superior alternative to the conventional method of preoxygenation.

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Background: The suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a common complication associated with epidural steroid injections (ESIs). However, the effect of different doses is unknown. Objectives: The primary objective was to compare the differences in the duration of HPA suppression following treatment with different doses of ESI; triamcinolone acetate (TA) 40 mg and TA 20 mg. The secondary objectives were to compare the extent of salivary cortisol (SC) reduction, the incidence of adrenal insufficiency (AI), and the differences in a numeric rating scale (NRS) depending on the varying levels of TA dose used for ESI. Study Design: A double-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. Setting: Pain clinics in a university hospital. Methods: The patients were treated with TA epidurally and divided into 2 groups (T20 and T40) depending on the dose of TA (20 mg and 40 mg). The SC concentration was measured before and after ESI to calculate the duration of HPA axis suppression, the extent of SC concentration reduction, and the SC recovery rate. Additionally, NRS and adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests were used. Results: Thirty patients were analyzed. The T40 group showed longer HPA suppression (19.7 ± 3.1 days) compared with that of the T20 group (8.0 ± 2.4 days). The recovery rate of the T40 group was lower than that of the T20 group (P < 0.015). However, there was no difference in the extent of reduction in SC concentration after ESI, the occurrence of AI, and pain reduction. Limitations: There were selection bias and no placebo control. Conclusions: Although the difference in pain relief according to the ESI dose is not significant, the HPA suppression is prolonged with a higher dose than a lower dose, and the recovery is slower. Therefore, the time interval between consecutive ESIs should be adjusted depending on the steroid dose to ameliorate the adverse effects of steroids. Key words: Adrenal insufficiency, adverse effects, cushing’s syndrome, epidural injections, glucocorticoids, optimal dosage, pituitary-adrenal system, salivary cortisol

Background We present a living donor case with an unexpected large-volume pneumothorax diagnosed using lung ultrasound during a laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver transplantation (LT). Case presentation A 38-year-old healthy female living donor underwent elective laparoscopic right hepatectomy. The preoperative chest radiography (CXR) and computed tomography images were normal. The surgery was uneventfully performed with tolerable CO2 insufflation and the head-up position. SpO2 decreased and airway peak pressure increased abruptly after beginning the surgery. There were no improvements in the SpO2 or airway pressure despite adjusting the endotracheal tube. Eventually, lung ultrasound was performed to rule out a pneumothorax, and we verified the stratosphere sign as a marker for the pneumothorax. The surgeon was asked to temporarily hold the surgery and cease with the pneumoperitoneum. Portable CXR verified a large right pneumothorax with a small degree of left lung collapse; thus, a chest tube was inserted on the right side. The hemodynamic parameters fully recovered and were stable, and the surgery continued laparoscopically. The surgeon explored the diaphragm and surrounding structures to detect any defects or injuries, but there were no abnormal findings. The postoperative course was uneventful, and a follow-up CXR revealed complete resolution of the two-sided pneumothorax. Conclusion This living donor case suggests that a pneumothorax can occur during laparoscopic hepatectomy due to the escape of intraperitoneal CO2 gas into the pleural cavity. Because missing the chance to identify a pneumothorax early significantly decreases the safety for living donors, point-of-care lung ultrasound may help attending physicians reach the final diagnosis of an intraoperative pneumothorax more rapidly and to plan the treatment more effectively.

Introduction: Venous air embolism (VAE) from vascular injuries, is of rare occurrence but can result in catastrophic complications during total hip arthroplasty (THA). Early recognition and prompt management of vascular injury are required to avoid severe complications. Especially, bleeding is generally associated with profound hypotension in venous injury. We report an unusual complication of venous air embolism induced by femoral vein rupture during THA. Patient concerns: A 54-year-old male patient with a history of old left acetabular fracture was scheduled for THA. We experienced massive bleeding and VAE induced by femoral vein rupture during total hip arthroplasty. The BP suddenly dropped from 100/70 mm Hg to 80/50 mm Hg with massive bleeding. ETCO 2 and SaO 2 decreased profoundly. Diagnosis: The VAE was diagnosed by the change in end- tidal CO 2 (ETCO 2 ) and change of vital signs, so we performed ABGA and inserted TEE for confirmination. Interventions: For treatment, patient was managed by oxygen therapy, inotropics, vasopressor, transfusion and surgical repair. Outcomes: Upon consulting with a cardiologist, the patient was extubated the next day and was transferred to the general ward and recovered without serious complications. He stayed for 17 days until finally discharged without complications Conclusion: Preoperative vascular imaging may be recommended in the revisional case of THA or in patients with the history of hip trauma. The monitoring of ETCO 2 and TEE might be helpful to recognize VAE earlier and therefore to avoid catastrophic complications through adequate treatment.