Experimental study of human tracheal heterografts in pigs

Summary In 12 three-months-old pigs a window-shaped tracheal defect was made and the defect closed by a precisely fitting Cialit-fixed, human tracheal heterograft. The macroscopic, microscopic, scanning and transmission electron microscopic investigation of the grafted area revealed that the tracheal epithelium was formed by microvillous epithelial cells primarily. 3 months after grafting cartilage of the tracheal transplant survived but after 9 months was replaced by a tight scar. The connective tissue plate thus formed was sufficiently stable to maintain normal respiration in the pigs.This work was supported by the Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung (Project no. 3494)The authors thank A. Laminger and G. Sulzer for photographic work     

Emergency ventilation using the Combitube in cases of difficult intubation

Summary The esophageal-tracheal Combitube (Sheridan, Argyle, NY) is a new device for emergency intubation, which can be inserted blindly without the use of a laryngoscope. Ventilation is independent of the position of the Combitube in either the esophagus or the trachea, since ventilation is always provided by the tube's double channel. The tracheal channel acts as a conventional endotracheal airway and has an open distal end. The esophageal channel has a blocked distal end, so that together with the inflated distal cuff it acts as an esophageal obturator in cases of esophageal intubation. Perforations at the pharyngeal section direct the airflow to the trachea. At the oropharyngeal section a large elastic balloon is positioned in order to obturate the oral cavity and the nasopharynx. Two patients are described to exemplify the Combitube's clinical use. Both had rapidly enlarging cervical hematomas causing upper airway obstruction and thus requiring immediate intubation. Endotracheal intubation failed because the glottis could not be visualized with a laryngoscope. In both cases the Combitube was applied successfully and adequate ventilation was provided via the Combitube placed esophageally. To better secure each patient's airway, tracheotomy was performed during ventilation without any complications.     

Two cases of asymptomatic epiglottic cyst confirmed by lateral cervical roentgenogram

Key words  complications - intubation - epiglottic cyst     

国产、进口乌拉地尔对全麻气管拔管心血管反应的比较观察

目的 :观察国产、进口乌拉地尔对全麻拔管期心血管反应的影响。方法 :60例无高血压病史的择期全麻手术病人随机分为 3组 ,分别为国产乌拉地尔组、进口乌拉地尔组和对照组。三组病人麻醉诱导均相同。术毕当病人符合拔管指征时 ,静注乌拉地尔 0 4mg/kg ,或等量生理盐水 (对照组 )。观察记录拔管前、拔管时、拔管后 1分钟、5分钟的SP、DP、HR ,并计算SP与HR的乘积RPP。结果 :对照组拔管后SP、DP、HR、RPP均较拔管前显著升高 (P <0 0 5 ) ,尤以拔管时至拔管后 1分钟为著 (P <0 0 1)。围拔管期两组乌拉地尔组的血流动力学变化非常相似 ,SP、DP较拔管前均无明显变化 ,而HR则均明显升高 (P <0 0 5 ) ,与对照组相比SP、DP和RPP的变化均明显降低(P <0 0 1)。结论 :国产乌拉地尔与进口制剂具有同等的降压效能 ,可削弱拔管期高血压反应     

7例原发性气管恶性肿瘤与支气管哮喘的鉴别诊断

目的：了解气管肿瘤与支气管哮喘的鉴别。方法：对7例误诊为哮喘的气管肿瘤患者的临床表现和相关检查进行分析。结果：7例患者误诊时间平均5个月。与支气管哮喘的不同点有：1）呼吸困难以吸气时明显，哮鸣音多不典型，以上肺部和喉部为最响。（2）病人以喉部痰多，喉部多闻及痰鸣音。（3）咳喘随着病程的延长而逐渐加重。结论：及早对可疑病人行纤维支气管镜检查可明确诊断。     

胸锁乳突肌肌骨膜瓣喉气管重建术动物实验与临床应用

为探讨胸锁乳突肌肌骨膜瓣在喉气管重建术中的作用，切除狗环状软骨弓及部分气管前壁造成缺损，取胸锁乳突肌肌骨膜瓣修复，分别于术后２个月～８个月处死动物，观察修复情况，并取材作光镜及扫描电镜检查。结果发现：胸锁乳突肌肌骨膜瓣行喉气管重建具有良好支撑力，修复的呼吸道通畅，无瘢痕及肉芽组织形成，移植骨膜表面为粘膜上皮覆盖，深层有新骨组织形成。临床治疗５例患者，均拔除气管套管，恢复正常呼吸功能。胸锁乳突肌肌骨膜瓣是理想的喉气管重建材料。     

Vascular compression of the airway: Indications for and results of surgical management

Vascular compression of the airway is a significant cause of respiratory compromise in children. While the indications for surgical repair are sometimes life threatening, they can also be subtle. This retrospective study examines 45 surgical cases of tracheobronchial compromise secondary to vascular compression at a large children's hospital between July 1983 and February 1996. A total of 34 were diagnosed with innominate artery compression, ten with a double aortic arch and one with an anomalous right subclavian artery. The 45 patients, 25 male and 20 female, ranged in age from 12 days to 11 years at surgery (average 13 months). A total of 21 (47%) presented with proven or suspected episodes of cyanosis or apnea. All 45 patients had evidence of vascular compression during microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 23/45 (51%), barium swallow in 22/45 (49%) and aortogram in 3/45 (7%). There was one death. One patient had a tracheotomy before surgery and continues to require it after surgery. Complete resolution of symptoms was achieved in 39/45 (87%) with five requiring more than one operation before their symptoms resolved completely. A total of four patients experienced a recurrence of symptoms within a variable length of time after surgery. Surgical indications and treatment alternatives will be discussed.     

Laryngotracheal stenosis in children

The diagnosis of laryngotracheal stenosis should be suspected in children with stridor, feeding difficulties, or atypical croup. Only half of the children with congenital laryngotracheal stenosis require tracheotomy, and many of these children can be decannulated following uncomplicated surgical therapy. In contrast, tracheotomy-dependent patients with acquired laryngotracheal stenosis require more extensive surgical intervention, which should be carried out as early as possible to provide the best opportunity for developing normal oral communication. Received: 8 March 1977 / Accepted: 31 July 1997     

Tracheal Transplantation: Superior and Inferior Thyroid Artery Perfusion Territory

Objective: To determine the perfusion territories of the superior and inferior thyroid arteries in humans. Tracheal transplantation is a potential option for management of long-segment tracheal stenosis. However, the maximum length of vascularized trachea that can be reliably transplanted has not been established. Study Design: The tracheal vascular territory of individual superior and inferior thyroid arteries was determined separately in 10 humans postmortem. Methods: India ink was infused unilaterally under controlled pressure into the superior (n = 5) and inferior (n = 5) thyroid arteries of cadaveric tracheas. Tracheas were sectioned longitudinally and the caudalmost extent of mucosal dye staining was determined via microscopic assessment. Results: The tracheal perfusion territory of the superior thyroid artery was two to five rings (1.7 ± 0.5 cm) and the inferior thyroid artery, nine to 13 rings (6.5 ± 1.1 cm). In both cases, the tracheal mucosa on the contralateral side was stained to the same caudal level. Conclusions: The inferior thyroid artery was shown to perfuse the trachea maximally to the 13th ring (8.1 cm). As such, the unilateral inferior thyroid artery would serve as a suitable vascular component for long-segment tracheal transplantation in humans.     

Comparison of a new video-optical intubation stylet versus the conventional malleable stylet in simulated difficult tracheal intubation

Handling and efficacy of a new video-optical intubation stylet were assessed in a simulated difficult tracheal intubation setting and compared with a conventional malleable stylet. Forty-five anaesthetists performed 10 tracheal intubations using both techniques. Laryngoscopy was performed by the observer, who created a grade 3 view according the classification by Cormack and Lehane. The time taken to place the tracheal tube and the final tracheal tube positions were documented. Mean (SD) intubation time for the video-optical stylet was 20.4 (7.7) s and for the malleable stylet 10.2 (3.3) s (p<0.01). With the video-optical stylet the trachea was correctly intubated in all 225 attempts; with the malleable stylet 44 (19.6%) oesophageal and 44 (19.6%) endobronchial intubations occurred (p<0.01). The video-optical intubation stylet enabled us to recognise inappropriate tracheal tube positions and to correct them immediately. This equipment can be considered a reliable and effective tool for management of the difficult airway.