Comparison of Video Laryngoscopy Technologies

Indirect laryngoscopy allows practitioners to “see around the corner” of a patient’s airway during intubation. Inadequate airway management is a major contributor to patient injury, morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the video quality of commercially available video laryngoscopy systems. A team of four investigators at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Peter Kiewit Institute performed intubation simulations using a number of video laryngoscopy systems. Testing was done with a Laerdal Difficult Airway Manikin (Laerdal Medical Corp., Wappingers Falls, NY) in a setting that simulated difficult airways, adverse lighting conditions and various system configurations (e.g., maximizing screen contrast, minimizing screen brightness, maximizing screen color hue, etc.).

Predicting difficult laryngoscopy using ultrasound measurement of distance from skin to epiglottis

Unpredicted difficult intubation can have severe consequences, and it is a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Although recent studies indicate that specific ultrasonography (US) measurements may be predictors of difficult laryngoscopy, their use is still limited, and its quantification is missing. The purpose of this prospective observational study is to evaluate the use of US-measured distance from skin to epiglottis (DSE) for difficult laryngoscopy prediction.

Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis in an Infant: A Rare Cause of Difficult Airway

1.Pre-assessment data of the patient A 2-year-old boy, weighing 15 kg was admitted with a history of limited mouth opening(inter-incisor distance of 6 mm), hypoplastic and retrognathic mandible (bird face deformity) and facial asymmetry from left temporomandibular joint ankylosis (TMJA). He was born at term, after an uneventful pregnancy, and there was no report of trauma during caesarean section. No other possible aetiologies were identified. He was scheduled for mandibular osteotomy. Preoperative ENT examination revealed adenotonsillar hypertrophy. 2. Anaesthetic Plan A fiberoptic nasal intubation was performed under deep inhalation anaesthesia with sevoflurane, with the patient breathing spontaneously. Midazolam (0.05 mg.kg-1) and alfentanil (0.03 mg.kg-1) were given and anaesthesia was maintained with O2/air and sevoflurane. No neuromuscular blocking agent was administered since the surgical team needed facial nerve monitoring. 3. Description of incident During surgery an accidental extubation occurred and an attempt was made to reintubate the trachea by direct laryngoscopy. Although the osteotomy was nearly completed, the vocal cords could not be visualized (Cormack-Lehane grade IV laryngoscopic view). 4. Solving the problem Re-intubation was finally accomplished with the flexible fiberscope and the procedure was concluded without any more incidents. Extubation was performed 24 hours postoperatively with the patient fully awake. After surgery mouth opening improved to inter-incisor gap of 15 mm. 5. Lessons learned and take home message Two airways issues present in this case can lead to difficultventilation and intubation: TMJA and adenotonsillar hypertrophy. These difficulties were anticipated and managed accordingly. The accidental extubation brought to our attention the fact that, even after surgical correction, this airway remains challenging. Even with intensive jaw stretchingexercises there is a high incidence of re-ankylosis, especially in younger patients. One should bear that in mind when anaesthetizing patients with TMJA.

Videolaryngoscopy improves intubation condition in morbidly obese patients

Résumé : Contexte clinique et objectifs: l'intubation oro-trachéale peut être plus difficile chez les patients obèses morbides (index de masse corporelle BMI > 35 kg/m2) que chez les patients non-obèses. Récemment, de nouveaux instruments permettant une intubation assistée au moyen d'une caméra ont été développés. Notre expérience pratique avec la vidéolaryngoscopie nous a conduit à l'hypothèse que celle-ci pourrait améliorer la vision laryngoscopique chez cette population spécifique et de ce fait faciliter l'intubation. Le but de cette étude était donc d'évaluer le bénéfice du vidéolaryngoscope sur le grade de laryngoscopie chez le patient obèse morbide. Résultats : le grade laryngoscopique fut abaissé de manière significative avec le vidéolaryngoscope comparé à la vision directe avec un laryngoscope standard. Lorsque le grade laryngoscopique était plus grand que 1 à la laryngoscopie directe, il fut dans la grande majorité des cas (93% des patients) abaissé avec le vidéolaryngoscope. Chez les 7 % restant, le grade laryngoscopique resta identique. Conclusions : chez le patient obèse morbide, l'utilisation du vidéolaryngoscope améliore de manière significative la visualisation du larynx et de ce fait facilite l'intubation. Une application systématique de ce procédé pourrait donc permettre de réduire l'incidence d'une intubation difficile ainsi que ses conséquences chez cette population de patients. Summary : Background and objective: Tracheal intubation may be more difficult in morbidly obese patients (body mass index >35 kgM-2) than in the non-obese. Recently, new video-assisted intubation devices have been developed. After some experience with videolaryngoscopy, we hypothesized that it could improve the laryngoscopic view in this specific population and therefore facilitate intubation. The aim of this study was to assess the benefit of a videolaryngoscope on the grade of laryngoscopy in morbid obesity. Methods: We studied 80 morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group was intubated with the help of the videolaryngoscope and in the control group the screen of the videolaryngoscope was hidden to the intubating anaesthesiologist. The primary end-point of the study was to assess in both groups the Cormack and Lehane direct and indirect grades of laryngoscopy. The duration of intubation, the number of attempts needed as well as the minimal SPO2 reached during the intubation process were measured. Results: Grade of laryngoscopy was significantly lower with the videolaryngoscope compared with the direct vision (P < 0.001). When the grade of laryngoscopy was higher than one with the direct laryngoscopy (n = 30), it was lower in 28 cases with the videolaryngoscope and remained the same only in two cases (P < 0.001). The minimal SPO2 reached during the intubation was higher with the videolaryngoscope but it did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: In morbidly obese patients, the use of the videolaryngoscope significantly improves the visualization of the larynx and thereby facilitates intubation.

Hallazgos ecográficos de la vía aérea superior durante la intubación endotraqueal con estilete luminoso y laringoscopia directa

La ecografía es una herramienta útil en la valoración de la vía aérea. Su uso es relativamente nuevo y su utilidad dirigida hacia la confirmación de la intubación orotraqueal, con pocos estudios al respecto. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la prevalencia de estos hallazgos, su diferencia entre los pacientes intubados con un estilete luminoso y bajo laringoscopia directa, y así establecer su utilidad para la intubación orotraqueal. Métodos Este es un estudio tipo corte transversal, con 80 pacientes adultos sin predictores de vía aérea difícil que requirieron intubación orotraqueal en el Hospital Fundación Cardioinfantil, 40 de ellos con laringoscopia directa y la otra mitad con estilete luminoso, que fueron elegidos para seguimiento ecográfico del proceso de intubación orotraqueal, y se estableció la prevalencia de los hallazgos. Resultados Se realizó una descripción ecográfica de los hallazgos anatómicos de la vía aérea. No identificamos diferencias entre los grupos en cuanto a la identificación de una imagen específica para cada instrumento de intubación. Se logró identificar en el 100% de los pacientes el tubo endotraqueal. La prevalencia de los signos de confirmación de intubación tormenta de nieve, signo de la bala y doble línea ecogénica fue de 48,8%, 86,3%, y 87,1% respectivamente. Se encontró que el tubo orotraqueal con el estilete generan un artificio ecográfico que permite guiar la posición del tubo endotraqueal, permitiendo llevar a cabo una intubación guiada por imagen ecográfica de manera exitosa. Conclusión No identificamos diferencias entre los grupos en cuanto a la identificación de una imagen específica para cada instrumento de intubación. Se identificó en el 100% de los pacientes el tubo endotraqueal dentro de la tráquea. Existen imágenes ecográficas suficientes durante el proceso de intubación orotraqueal con estilete luminoso, que permiten llevar a cabo con éxito la intubación orotraqueal guiada por ecografía en tiempo real.

Comparación del tiempo de despertar y tiempo de descarga entre dos técnicas de anestesia total intravenosa manual : Remifentanil vs Fentanil.

Introducción: A pesar de que las combinaciones de Propofol y opioides son ampliamente usadas para inducir y mantener una adecuada anestesia y analgesia, disminuir la dosis del inductor, incrementar la estabilidad hemodinámica y suprimir la respuesta a la laringoscopia y la intubación; no existen estudios que comparen el uso de Anestesia Total Intravenosa manual con Remifentanil - Propofol versus Fentanil - Propofol. Objetivo: Comparar el tiempo de despertar y el tiempo de descarga entre dos técnicas de Anestesia Total Intravenosa manual empleadas en el Hospital Occidente de Kennedy, una basada en Propofol y Remifentanil y otra basada en Propofol y Fentanil controlado por Stangraf. Metodología: Estudio de corte transversal, en 43 pacientes llevados a cirugía bajo Anestesia Total Intravenosa en el Hospital Occidente de Kennedy. Se analizó la información mediante las pruebas de Shapiro-Wilks, t de Student y U de Mann Withney y los coeficientes de correlación de Spearman y de Pearson, usando SPSS versión 20 para Windows. Un valor de p < 0.05 fue aceptado como estadísticamente significativo. Resultados: Al comparar las dos técnicas, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los tiempos evaluados. El tiempo de despertar promedio fue 10,1 minutos para Fentanil y 10,2 minutos para Remifentanil. El tiempo de descarga para Fentanil fue 11,9 minutos y para Remifentanil fue 11,5 minutos. Conclusiones: El uso de Fentanil - Propofol guiado por Stangraf es equivalente al uso de Remifentanil – Propofol en cuanto a los tiempos de despertar y de descarga. Se requieren nuevos estudios para corroborar estos hallazgos.

Existen diferencias farmacocinéticas y tiempos de despertar entre mujeres y hombres con anestesia total intravenosa

Introducción: La anestesia total intravenosa (TIVA) es ampliamente usada y reportada en la literatura como técnica para disminuir la respuesta a la laringoscopia e intubación, en la inducción y mantenimiento de una adecuada anestesia, además de una mejor estabilidad hemodinámica y recuperación pos anestésica; sin embargo no existen un gran número de estudios que comparen el uso de TIVA, determinando si existen diferencias en el perfil farmacocinético según el género del paciente. Objetivo: Describir diferencias farmacocinéticas y de los tiempos de despertar y salida a la unidad de cuidados pos anestésicos (descarga), según el género; en pacientes que reciben TIVA, con remifentanil y propofol, orientado por Stangraf. Metodología: Estudio observacional analítico de corte transversal, en pacientes llevados a cirugía bajo TIVA en el Hospital Occidente de Kennedy en el periodo de junio de 2013 a Enero de 2014.Usando SPSS versión 20 Windows, se analizaron los datos mediante pruebas Kolmogorov-Smirnov y Shapiro-Wilk y U de Mann Withney. Un valor de p menor 0.05 fue aceptado como estadísticamente significativo. Resultados: Se aplicaron pruebas de normalidad y no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre género. El tiempo de despertar fue 9.36 minutos para mujeres y 11.26 minutos para hombres. Los tiempos de descarga fueron 10.71 minutos para mujeres y 12.82 minutos para hombres. Discusión. El tiempo de despertar y descarga no es diferente entre mujeres y hombres en los pacientes analizados. Se requieren estudios adicionales entre grupos poblacionales de diversas condiciones farmacocineticas para corroborar los datos.

Dysphonia in Children

Introduction. Vocal symptoms are common among the pediatric population and are often caused by vocal abuse. Laryngoscopy is essential for their diagnosis because it helps differentiate several laryngeal lesions, leading to a decision for suitable treatments considering each case.Objectives. This study aims to present the clinical characteristics, and the laryngoscopic diagnosis of a dysphonic child population.Methods. The parents of 304 children, aged from 4 to 18 years and presenting prolonged hoarseness, answered a questionnaire about their children's voice, and all children were subjected to videolaryngostroboscopy.Results. Male children aged from 7 to 12 years (64%) were predominant. Vocal abuse (n-162) and nasal obstruction symptoms (n-10) were the most frequent associated symptoms. The vocal symptoms had a chronic evolution (over 1 year) and were reported by most parents (n-200). The most commonly diagnosed lesions in the laryngoscopic exams were vocal nodules (n-175) and epidermal cysts (n-47). Furthermore, there was an association of some lesions, especially minor structural alterations.Conclusion. In the present study, dysphonia occurred mainly in children aged from 7 to 12 years, predominantly males. Vocal abuse and nasal obstruction symptoms were frequently reported. Vocal nodules and cysts were the most commonly diagnosed laryngeal lesions in the laryngoscopic exams.

Consequences of Chronic Nasal Obstruction on the Laryngeal Mucosa and Voice Quality of 4- to 12-Year-Old Children

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Mucosal Bridge of the Vocal Fold: Difficulties in the Diagnosis and Treatment

Mucosal bridges are rare laryngeal lesions probably of genetic origin. They may cause dysphonia of varying degrees, especially when associated with other laryngeal lesions such as vocal sulci and cysts. Reports on mucosal bridges are rare, and the better treatment is inconclusive.Aim. To report the authors' experience in 14 cases of mucosal bridge showing details on endoscopic examinations and treatment.Study Design. Retrospective study.Methods. We reviewed the medical records of 14 patients with a diagnosis of mucosal bridge confirmed by video-laryngostroboscopy and direct laryngoscopy who attended the Outpatient Clinic of Voice Disorders of the Discipline of Otorhinolaryngology, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, São Paulo. Data collected included information on gender, age, symptoms, time of onset, history of intubation, smoking status, alcohol intake, associated laryngeal lesions, treatment, and GRBAS (grade of hoarseness, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and stress) scale ratings.Results. of 14 patients, 10 were females and four were males. There was a prevalence of adults (n = 12), with only two of the patients being younger than 13 years (10 and 13 years). Mucosal bridges showed no correlations with smoking, alcohol intake, or gastroesophageal and sinonasal symptoms. Voice abuse was reported in 50% of the cases that consisted of patients who had high-voice demand occupations. In seven cases, mucosal bridges were associated with other laryngeal lesions, particularly vocal cysts and sulci. All patients who underwent surgery and phonotherapy showed improved vocal quality.Conclusions. We documented 14 patients with dysphonia caused by mucosal bridge. Promising results were obtained with surgery.

Sulcus vocalis: evidence for autosomal dominant inheritance

We found evidence of autosomal dominant hereditary transmission of sulcus vocalis. Four dysphonic patients from three generations of the same family were submitted to videolaryngoscopic examination (three patients) and to direct laryngoscopy ( one patient) to diagnose the hoarseness. Sulcus vocalis was diagnosed in all four patients. The finding of four affected individuals in three generations, with vertical transmission affecting man and women, is more consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance pattern; it is an etiological model that we propose for the sulcus vocalis in this pedigree.

Avaliação da via aérea do paciente obeso para predição da dificuldade de intubação traqueal: efeito da manipulação laríngea

Pós-graduação em Anestesiologia - FMB