Anaesthesia reports最新文献

Emergency front of neck airway (eFONA) is a potentially lifesaving but very high-stress procedure. We explored the cognitive and affective processes involved via semi-structured interviews with 17 UK anaesthetists who had attempted eFONA within the previous two years. Thematic analyses generated two meta-themes: ‘Making the decision is the hardest part; the doing is easier’ and ‘What helps make the decision?’. We found concerns around scrutiny, lack of a flat hierarchy, unfamiliarity with the situation and the lack of a model for transitioning to eFONA. Culture change, using a shared mental model, priming and emotional disengagement, assisted with eFONA decision-making. Conclusions and implications for practice are presented.

Use of high-flow nasal oxygen to enable apnoeic oxygenation during tubeless airway surgery is well-established. The use of an ignition source in this oxygen-rich environment increases the risk of surgical fire. We present a case of facial fire secondary to the use of carbon dioxide laser and high-flow nasal oxygen during a surgical procedure for subglottic stenosis. The incident occurred when the laser was being tested near the patient, resulting in superficial burns to the patient's face and neck. The airway was unaffected and the burns were managed conservatively. This case highlights important safety consideration for the use of an ignition source in the presence of high-flow nasal oxygen and the role of human factors and in-built risk mitigation features.

In patients who have undergone laryngectomy followed by permanent tracheostomy, managing the airway for one-lung ventilation during lung surgery may present a challenge for anaesthetists. This case report discusses a 45-year-old man with a permanent tracheostomy after a laryngectomy performed for laryngeal carcinoma 5 years ago. He was scheduled to undergo excision of a right bronchial mass for which one-lung ventilation was required. An adjustable Flange Hyperflex™ Tracheostomy tube (Bivona® Silicone Tracheostomy tube, Smiths Medical ASD, Inc., Gary, Indiana, USA) was used for this purpose and the tube was guided into the left main bronchus with a bronchoscope. Appropriate lung isolation was achieved using this technique, and there were no airway-related complications during or after the surgery. This case report shows that a Hyperflex™ tracheostomy tube can be successfully utilised in challenging airway scenarios in patients with a tracheostomy, where other options may not be feasible.

This case study describes the management of a tracheal injury following emergency intubation in a 56-year-old man. After collapsing from heavy alcohol ingestion, intubation was performed using a bougie, leading to a punctate tracheal wound. Initial conservative treatment with antibiotics was followed by bronchoscopy, revealing a tracheal laceration. Rigid bronchoscopy was then performed, and the wound was closed using BioGlue® surgical sealant. The patient made a full recovery, with follow-up bronchoscopy confirming complete healing. This case highlights the effectiveness of BioGlue® as a minimally invasive alternative for tracheal wound closure, reducing the need for more complex interventions.

A 35-year-old woman with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension underwent open hemicolectomy with cholecystectomy under combined general and epidural anaesthesia. Intra-operative pulmonary artery pressure, as measured by Swan-Ganz catheter, was suprasystemic and managed with inodilators. She developed postoperative right ventricular dysfunction requiring inotropes, incremental pulmonary vasodilators and prolonged oxygen supplementation. One year after surgery, she is recurrence-free with oxygen saturations of 88–90% on air. This case highlights that with meticulous care and multidisciplinary team input, patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension can have favourable outcomes after major cancer surgery.

Surgery which involves anterior mediastinal mass resection with artificial replacement of the superior vena cava results in significant disruption to the circulatory system. In this case, a pathway was established to divert blood from the internal jugular to the femoral vein after clamping of the superior vena cava. Blood which would ordinarily return to the right atrium via the superior vena cava was now being returned via the inferior vena cava. The mean arterial pressure was maintained at least 50 mmHg higher than the central venous pressure during clamping of the superior vena cava to avoid cerebral hypoperfusion. The combined use of the above strategies aimed to provide satisfactory surgical conditions and cerebral protection.