Anesthesia for CO2 laser surgery of the larynx

The CO2 laser is a useful surgical tool in laryngology, but adds a significant anesthetic risk because of a constant fear of fire. This paper reviews the anesthetic problems of laryngology in general - competition for the airway between surgeon and anesthetist, circulatory changes associated with laryngoscopy, and postoperative laryngospasm and edema, as well as operating room pollution together with problems unique to laser usage. If endotracheal tubes are used, they may burn, the laser may be misaligned, endotracheal cuffs may burst, and there is a constant risk of a flash fire. The techniques favored are either a small born endotracheal tube wrapped in aluminum foil or an injection technique. The former may obstruct laryngeal lesions. The injection technique is described in detail together with the pharmacological management of anesthesia.     

Flexible Nd:YAG laser palliation of obstructive tracheal metastatic malignancies.

Flexible Nd:YAG endoscopic laser surgery may become an effective new modality for palliation in patients with obstructive endotracheal metastatic malignancies. We report the results of the treatment of two patients with severely obstructing intraluminal tracheal metastatic melanoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma, using the neodymium-YAG laser via the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. Both patients complained of significant dyspnea, orthopnea, cough, and hemoptysis and were not candidates for rigid bronchoscopy because of underlying medical contraindications and anatomical problems. Multiple treatment sessions were used with treatment intervals of 1 to 2 weeks. All treatments were performed in the operating room under sedation, without intubation, with topical lidocaine and standard superior laryngeal nerve block. Successful relief of airway obstruction with complete regression of the endotracheal masses was achieved and no recurrences were seen after 9 months' follow-up. Flexible Nd:YAG laser bronchoscopy offered an alternative for the relief of obstructing endotracheal or bronchial malignancies in patients in whom the rigid bronchoscope could not be passed. it seemed to prolong survival in selected cases, and provided definite improvement in quality of life.     

Retrograde nasal intubation via the cleft in Pierre-Robin Sequence neonates: A case series

Pierre-Robin Sequence, the triad of glossoptosis, micrognathia and cleft palate, provides a challenge in airway management both in and out of the operating room. Transnasal intubation is greatly preferred during its surgical intervention for maximum oral exposure in these very small patients without the added encumbrance of an oral endotracheal tube. From 2001 to 2009, three neonates with Pierre-Robin Sequence who underwent surgery to improve their airway had a novel method of securing a transnasal airway performed in the operating theater. After successful placement of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and subsequent endotracheal intubation via the LMA, this technique was used to convert from an oral to a nasal intubation. After the LMA is removed, a smaller endotracheal tube is placed into the nose and out of the mouth via the cleft in each of these patients. This smaller tube is then telescoped into the larger one and secured with suture. Both tubes are subsequently backed out of the nose in a retrograde fashion and disarticulated so that the now transnasal endotracheal tube can be re-connected to the anesthesia circuit. This case series highlights a rapid technique utilizing the patient's congenital defect for securing a transnasal airway alternative to that of transnasal fiberoptic intubation in Pierre-Robin Sequence neonates.     

Effect of extraluminal oxygen on carbon dioxide laser ignition of endotracheal tubes.

Ignition times of endotracheal tubes used in laser surgery have been determined in room air with oxygen flowing through the tube. Using uncuffed endotracheal tubes in children, we measured the oxygen level around the endotracheal tube at the vocal cords and found that it closely approximates the inspired oxygen concentration. We then tested Rusch red rubber and polyvinyl chloride endotracheal tubes while varying the external oxygen concentration. Little difference in ignition time was found for the polyvinyl chloride tube. The red rubber tube ignited significantly faster as the ambient oxygen levels were increased to as little as 30%. Our tests indicate that uncuffed red rubber tubes are not safer than polyvinyl chloride tubes when used with the carbon dioxide laser. All endotracheal tubes used with the laser should be tested for ignition at various extraluminal oxygen concentrations.     

Serial office-based intralesional injection of cidofovir in adult-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

Intralesional injection of cidofovir is used in the treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis as an adjuvant therapy after microsurgical excision and CO2 laser therapy. This is conventionally done in the operating room with the patient under general anesthesia. We report our experience with 5 patients with adult-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis who were treated with intralesional injections of cidofovir after recurrence of their papillomatosis. These injections were given monthly in the office without the use of general anesthesia. Before cidofovir injection, all patients required repeated CO2 laser treatments at intervals of less than 5 months. We injected 7.5 mg/mL of cidofovir transorally into the papillomas under office telescopic control. These injections were given monthly for 3 consecutive months. The patients were then followed up for 2 to 10 months after therapy to monitor the size of the papillomas. In all 5 patients, partial remission of the laryngeal papillomatosis was noted during the follow-up period. Their need for repeat microsurgery was delayed, and their vocal function improved. Intralesional injection of cidofovir in an office setting appears to be safe and effective. It might be more convenient and cost-effective than performing the same procedure in the operating room with the patient under general anesthesia.     

Office versus operating room insertion of the bone-anchored hearing aid: a comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Bone-anchored Hearing Aid is indicated for patients with unilateral deafness and/or an irreversible conductive hearing loss. The insertion of this device is usually performed in the operating room under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. We suggest that the placement of the abutment can occur easily and safely in the clinic setting, reducing time and costs for both the patient and the physician. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: Ten patients requiring 11 devices (1 bilateral) were implanted with the Bone-anchored Hearing Aid device in the outpatient clinic and another 8 patients were implanted in the operating room. All office procedures were done under local anesthesia; operating room procedures used either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Follow-up occurred over 12 months. Time required, cost of the procedure, and other logistical concerns between operating room and office-based insertion were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: When performed in the office, patient fees were reduced by 31%, and patient time investment was reduced 73%. Physician time was reduced by 50%. After office-based insertion, patients were able to return to their normal routine immediately after the procedure, and no chaperone or designated driver was required. No infection or complications occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: Bone-anchored Hearing Aid insertion in the clinic setting is safe and cost-effective, saving the patient and physician significant time and resources.     

Propofol decreases waste anesthetic gas exposure during pediatric bronchoscopy

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the anesthetic gas exposure and operating conditions during insufflation anesthesia with halothane-alone versus halothane-propofol in children undergoing direct laryngobronchoscopy. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-six children were enrolled in this randomized prospective study, with institutional review board approval and informed consent. METHODS: All children were anesthetized by halothane mask induction and anesthesia was maintained using spontaneous ventilation with insufflation. No muscle relaxants or opioids were used. In the halothane group, halothane was titrated as needed. In the propofol group, halothane was decreased to 1% inspired concentration and the propofol was titrated as needed to maintain spontaneous ventilation and a still patient. Trace anesthetic gases, hemodynamic stability, and operating conditions were measured. RESULTS: The groups were similar in age, weight, and bronchoscopy time. There was significantly less gas exposure in the propofol group (25 +/- 33 parts per million) versus the halothane group (66 +/- 97 ppm; P <.02). There was a trend toward earlier emergence in the halothane group (33 +/- 13 minutes) versus the propofol group (41 +/- 17 minutes). Postoperative stridor was common, occurring in 30% of children. CONCLUSIONS: Insufflation anesthesia with spontaneous respiration provides excellent surgical conditions for laryngobronchoscopy. The addition of propofol resulted in fewer airway complications (P =.047). Although the addition of propofol significantly decreased anesthetic gas exposure in the operating room, both techniques resulted in operating room pollution that exceeded the maximum levels of 2 ppm per hour recommended by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).     

Cost savings of unsedated office-based laser surgery for laryngeal papillomas

OBJECTIVES: Unsedated office-based laryngeal laser surgery (UOLS) is now an effective alternative to traditional operating room-based suspension microdirect laryngoscopy under general anesthesia. This procedure includes pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomas, granulomas, leukoplakia, and polypoid degeneration. The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of the cost savings derived by moving these types of procedures from the operating room to the office setting. METHODS: Retrospective cost-identification analysis was performed by comparing the billing records of patients who underwent surgical laser treatment for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in the operating room to the costs and charges for patients who underwent similar procedures with the in-office PDL. RESULTS: In performing surgery with the PDL in the office, the average cost savings was more than $5,000 per case. Current reimbursement rates do not cover the cost of performing UOLS. CONCLUSIONS: The potential cost savings of UOLS are tremendous; however, at present significant financial disincentives prevent proliferation of this technology.     

Avoiding a wrapped endotracheal tube in laser laryngeal surgery: experiences with apneic anesthesia and metal laser-flex endotracheal tubes

Ninety-one laser laryngeal procedures using the apneic technique of anesthesia were performed in 28 patients between 2 months and 64 years of age. Seventy-two procedures (79%) were performed on children and 19 on adults. There were no complications. Eight laser laryngoscopies were performed using a new metal Laser-Flex endotracheal tube. Obstruction of the endotracheal tube with a mucous plug occurred in one case. The apneic technique described in this paper provides a laser operative field free of an endotracheal tube, virtually eliminating the danger of a laser fire. It is a relatively safe and effective means of performing laser laryngeal surgery. In addition, the Laser-Flex endotracheal tube appears to be an acceptable alternative to a metallic tape-wrapped endotracheal tube.     

Office-based 532-nm pulsed KTP laser treatment of glottal papillomatosis and dysplasia

OBJECTIVES: Treatment of glottal papillomatosis and dysplasia was mirror-guided and done in surgeons' offices in the 19th century. It migrated to the operating room in the 20th century to accommodate direct laryngoscopic surgery, which required assistants to administer anesthesia and procedural support. The primary treatment goals, which are disease regression and voice restoration and/or maintenance, are tempered by the morbidity of general anesthesia and potential treatment-induced vocal deterioration. To obviate general anesthesia, office-based laser laryngeal surgery was first done in 2001 with the 585-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL), because it employs a fiber delivery system and its energy is selectively absorbed by oxyhemoglobin. Since then, this new angiolytic laser treatment paradigm has become a mainstay of management for many surgeons; however, there are a number of shortcomings of the PDL. To further develop this concept and address the limitations of the PDL, we used a 532-nm pulsed potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser. METHODS: A prospective assessment was performed on 48 patients in 72 cases of recurrent glottal dysplasia (36) or papillomatosis (36). All individuals had previously undergone microlaryngoscopic management with histopathologic evaluation. RESULTS: Two dysplasia patients did not tolerate the procedure. Of the treatable dysplasia cases, there was follow-up in 29 of 34. Disease regression was at least 75% in 18 of 29 cases (62%), 50% to 75% in 7 of 29 (24%), and 25% to 50% in the remaining 4 of 29 (14%). Papilloma patients returned for treatment when symptoms recurred, so disease regression could not be assessed accurately. Similar to data obtained with the PDL, these data confirmed that dysplastic mucosa could normalize without resection. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations revealed that the 532-nm pulsed KTP laser provided enhanced performance over the PDL laser in a number of ways. The ability to use smaller glass fibers precluded mechanical trauma to the channels of the flexible laryngoscopes and allowed for improved suctioning of secretions. Oxyhemoglobin absorbs energy better at 532 nm than at 585 nm, and the KTP laser can be delivered through a longer pulse width. These factors provide enhanced hemostasis and improved intralesional energy absorbance. Finally, unlike the PDL, the KTP laser is a solid-state laser and is not prone to mechanical failure.     

Besonderheiten des anästhesiologischen Managements bei laserchirurgischen Eingriffen in der Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde

Transoral laser surgery has become a standard procedure in the treatment of benign and malignant neoplasms of the upper aerodigestive tract. As the laser cuts and coagulates simultaneously, intraoperative bleeding is reduced, thus improving visualization of the operative field. However, the specific risks for patients and personnel that are associated with this technique necessitate strict compliance with safety regulations and precautions. The safe anesthesiological and surgical management of such procedures requires explicit knowledge of the risks inherent to laser use, as well as close communication between surgeon and anesthesiologist throughout all operative and perioperative procedures. Although potentially fatal complications are rare, surgeon and anesthesiologist need to be aware of the dangers at all times and have exact knowledge of emergency measures. The use of suitable laser-resistant endotracheal tubes, total intravenous anesthesia and an optimized breathing gas mixture can contribute to minimize the occurrence of complications in otorhinolaryngology laser surgery.     

儿童危重气管支气管异物的气道管理及麻醉体会

目的 探讨危重气管支气管异物患儿硬质气管镜检查术中适宜的气道管理及麻醉方案。 方法 选取134例危重气管支气管异物患儿,患儿进入手术室后给予面罩无创机械通气或经气管插管加压给氧,静脉注射盐酸戊乙奎醚0.03 mg/kg,地塞米松0.4~0.5 mg/kg。呼吸窘迫不明显的119例患儿采用不保留自主呼吸的静脉麻醉方式,已出现呼吸窘迫的13例患儿采取保留自主呼吸的静脉麻醉方式;呼吸窘迫严重导致紫绀、意识不清的2例患儿由耳鼻喉科医师紧急置入硬质气管镜。术中根据血氧情况间断给予高频喷射呼吸机喷射给氧,高频通气频率60~80次/min,吸呼比1∶1.5,驱动压不超过60 kPa。术毕观察患儿呼吸及神志恢复情况,待自主呼吸恢复,刺激有反应后转回耳鼻喉科术后监护室或儿科ICU进行进一步治疗。 结果 134例危重气管支气管异物患儿均一次手术成功取出异物,无严重喉痉挛及支气管痉挛情况,无因屏气呛咳被迫退镜情况发生,无麻醉意外发生。1例患儿术前缺氧时间过长,术后8 h因多脏器功能衰竭抢救无效死亡;其余患儿术后缺氧改善,自主呼吸平稳,经治疗3~8 d后痊愈出院。 结论 硬质气管镜检查术中麻醉医师需根据呼吸困难程度采用不同的麻醉方案,保证充分氧供,避免胃内容物误吸、气道痉挛,协助耳鼻喉医师尽快解除气道梗阻。     

Open bedside tracheotomy in the intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that open bedside tracheotomy is an efficient, safe, and cost-effective procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of more than 200 open bedside tracheotomies performed at UCLA Medical Center, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and West Los Angeles VA Medical Center from 1995 to 1998. METHODS: The only personnel required for the procedure were an attending or senior resident and a junior resident or intern, as well as the respiratory therapist to withdraw the endotracheal tube. No anesthetist or scrub nurse was present for any of the procedures. The procedure took an average of 15 to 25 minutes. Patients were followed for 30 days after surgery to determine the incidence of complications. RESULTS: The incidence of major complications related to the procedure, including hemorrhage and myocardial infarction, was less than 1%. The incidence of minor complications, including moderate bleeding at the tracheotomy site, was 4%. Overall mortality within 30 days was 8%, but was not related to the tracheotomy for any patients in this series. The charge for the procedure was $233 for the tracheotomy tube supplies and instruments. This cost compares favorably with an average charge of more than $3000 for the procedure in the operating room and about $1000 for a percutaneous tracheotomy kit. CONCLUSION: Review of our experience demonstrates that open bedside tracheotomies can be performed more efficiently and economically than operating room tracheotomies. The safety of this procedure is comparable to percutaneous tracheotomy but at a decreased cost.     

Laser bronchoscopic surgery

Endoscopic laser bronchoscopy can be used to effectively palliate patients with compromised airways. The CO2 laser was utilized with a ventilating bronchoscope. This form of endoscopic surgery has the advantage of less postoperative edema, better hemostasis, more accurate tumor vaporization, and shortened operating time. Between 1975-79 33 laser bronchoscopies were carried out for airway obstruction. Palliation was achieved in most cases. Complications included intra-operative bleeding, tissue fragment occlusion of the airway, and an endotracheal fire. Laser bronchoscopy should be avoided in the presence of widespread metastatic disease, poorly differentiated or rapidly growing tumors, extrinsic tumor compression, or highly vascular tumors. A preliminary report is presented on the soft tissue effects of the argon laser, passed through a flexible coaxial cable in the canine trachea. Multiple transmural lesions were created. The use of the argon laser in the field of bronchoscopy remains controversial.     

Analysis of efficiency of common otolaryngology operations: comparison of operating room vs short procedure room in a pediatric tertiary hospital

OBJECTIVE: To compare the operative times of routine otolaryngologic procedures performed with 2 different operating room staffing models: the traditional model with 2 staff, a scrub nurse and a circulator, and the short procedure room (SPR) setting, with a circulator only. DESIGN: Retrospective comparison of operative procedure times. Data were extracted from a prospectively maintained database of electronic medical records. SETTING: All data were from procedures performed at a tertiary care children's hospital operating room suite. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Data for the year 2000 were extracted for all outpatient otolaryngology cases of bilateral myringotomy and tube placement (BMT), tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (TA), and adenoidectomy alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The mean +/- SD operative time intervals (operative procedure times and total operative procedure time), anesthesia start times, surgical preparation times, and anesthesia end times of the 2 sites were compared. These time intervals were also compared for the 3 surgeons performing TAs in both settings. RESULTS: Total operative procedure times were significantly shorter in the SPR setting for TA and BMT, but not for adenoidectomy. For TA procedures, operative procedure times and anesthesia end times were significantly shorter in the SPR setting (P<.05). For BMT procedures, all operative times were significantly shorter in the SPR setting. All 3 surgeons who performed TAs in both settings had significantly shorter total operative procedure times in the SPR setting than in the traditional setting. CONCLUSIONS: Despite fewer assisting staff, the SPR setting showed a statistically significant reduction in total operative procedure times for TA and BMT, and results were similar for adenoidectomy. Reducing operating room personnel costs is possible in addition to achieving modest gains in efficiency.     

Anesthesia management of microlaryngeal laser surgery in children: apneic technique anesthesia

The purpose of this paper is to describe apneic technique general anesthesia which has been used in children for suspension microlaryngoscopy in the nontracheotomized patient. Apneic anesthesia uses a paralyzing drug in combination with controlled ventilation using halothane or isoflurane, nitrous oxide and oxygen, delivered through an endotracheal tube. Patients are monitored throughout the procedure with end-tidal CO2 levels and a cutaneous oximeter. Surgery is performed without the impediment of an endotracheal tube. This method, used in 240 patients ranging in age from 3 months to 18 years, eliminates the danger of a laser fire, gives an unobstructed view of the larynx, is safe, and is free of complications. All outpatients were discharged from the hospital within a few hours after the surgical procedure.     

Evaluation of a New Laser-Resistant Fabric and Copper Foil-Wrapped Endotracheal Tube

The risk of an endotracheal tube's combustion during laser airway surgery necessitates the use of special anesthetic techniques and equipment to prevent this complication. This study was designed to evaluate the Laser-Trach?, a new laser-resistant rubber endotracheal tube for use during laser airway surgery. The Laser-Trach endotracheal tubes that were evaluated were size 6.0 mm internal diameter (ID) red rubber endotracheal tubes which had been commercially wrapped by Kendall-Sheridan (Mansfield, Mass.) with copper foil tape and overwrapped with fabric. The fabric layer was saturated with water prior to our tests, as recommended by the manufacturer. The Laser-Trach endotracheal tubes were compared with plain (bare) size 6.0 mm ID Rusch red rubber endotracheal tubes. The tubes under study were positioned horizontally on wet towels in air and had 5 L?min^?1 of oxygen flowing through them. They were subjected to continuous laser radiation at 40 W from either a CO₂ or an Nd-YAG laser. The Nd-YAG laser was propagated via a 600-μm fiber bundle. Each laser was directed perpendicularly at the shaft of the endotracheal tube being studied, and its output was continued until a blowtorch fire occurred or 60 seconds had elapsed. Sixty seconds of CO₂ laser fire did not ignite any of the eight Laser-Trach endotracheal tubes tested. However, blowtorch ignition of all eight bare rubber tubes tested occurred after 0.87 ± 0.21 (mean ±SD) seconds of CO₂ laser fire. Nd-YAG laser contact with the Laser-Trach endotracheal tubes caused the perforation and blowtorch ignition of all eight tubes tested after 18.79 ± 7.83 seconds. This was a significantly (P<.05) longer time than the 5.45 ± 4.75 seconds required for the blowtorch ignition of all eight plain rubber endotracheal tubes tested with the Nd-YAG laser. Our results show that under the conditions of this study, the shafts of the Kendall-Sheridan Laser-Trach endotracheal tubes were resistant to the CO₂ laser. However, this endotracheal tube is not recommended for use with the Nd-YAG laser. Laryngoscope, 106:842-844, 1996     

Use of the laser in the oral cavity

Laser surgery is now commonly performed for lesions arising in the oral cavity. The laser provides certain advantages relating to the precision of tissue destruction and some hemostatic capabilities. However, it is the author's impression that it provides no special healing or cancer-killing advantages. It can be used for a wide variety of surgical procedures involving benign lesions. Its use for resection of oral cavity malignancies is restricted to verrucous cancers and smaller cancers. When the proper techniques are used to protect both the patient and the surgeon and other operating room personnel, it can be a safely performed surgical adjunct that has certain advantages over standard surgical approaches.     

Airway protection and the laryngeal mask airway in sinus and nasal surgery

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to compare the laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal tube for airway protection from blood during sinonasal surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Nonrandomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial. METHODS: Patients scheduled to undergo sinonasal surgery (septoplasty and/or endoscopic sinus surgery) were prospectively enrolled and grouped according to type of airway during general anesthesia with choice of airway device based on the anesthesiologist's preference. Clinical data were tabulated by case including airway device, patient age, weight, estimated blood loss, airway pop-off pressure, and emergence quality. At the conclusion of surgery, the airway was examined through the laryngeal mask airway or endotracheal tube with a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope to determine the amount of blood present on the vocal cords or in the trachea. The airway device was also evaluated postoperatively for the presence of blood. RESULTS: Seventy-six adult patients were initially enrolled; two were excluded because fiberoptic evaluation of the airway could not be completed. Of the remaining 74 patients, an endotracheal tube and laryngeal mask airway were used in 31 and 43 patients, respectively. The two groups did not differ with respect to age, weight, estimated blood loss during surgery, pop-off pressure, or emergence quality (all P >.05). Patients managed with an laryngeal mask airway were significantly less likely to have blood staining the airway (glottis or trachea) than patients with an endotracheal tube (19.5% vs. 84.8%, chi test [P <.001]). However, the endotracheal tube provided better protection than the laryngeal mask airway against distal tracheal blood contamination (3.2% vs. 14.6%, respectively [P =.110]). CONCLUSION: The laryngeal mask airway provides better protection of the upper airway from blood contamination during sinonasal surgery than a standard endotracheal tube, but there is a higher incidence of distal tracheal contamination. The laryngeal mask airway is a reasonable alternative to endotracheal intubation for airway management in sinonasal surgery.     

儿童扁桃体切除术后出血率及出血程度分级的初步探讨

目的　统计儿童扁桃体切除术后出血率,根据Windfuhr分级法衡量儿童扁桃体术后出血的程度。方法 统计2010年3月～2013年3月在深圳市儿童医院行扁桃体切 除或扁桃体加腺样体切除患儿资料,统计术后出血发生率。结果　1672例患儿扁桃体切除术后出血16例,出血率为0.96%。女童术后出血率1.8%明显高于男童出血率0.53%,差异有统计学意义（χ 2=5.545,P <0.05）;原发性出血6例,继发性出血10例。出血程度1级9例,2级7例。结论 儿童扁桃体切除术后出血率很低,遇有活动性出血者应手气管插管全麻下止血。