Granulomatous polyp in the bronchus caused by anticoagulant therapy

A 73-year-old woman was scheduled for right lower lobectomy. Her trachea was intubated with a left double-lumen endobronchial tube (Sheribronch, 35 Fr). There was no bleeding at the trachea or the bronchus during the operation. She received intravenous heparin (4000 IU.day-1) for anticoagulant therapy one hour after operation. On the first post-operative day, the mucosal bleeding in the left main bronchus was confirmed, which developed a granulomatous polyp on the 17th post-operative day. The anticoagulant therapy may have worsened slight mucosal damage caused by double lumen tube. It is important to select suitable tube size especially in patients who will receive anticoagulant therapy.     

The effect of nasotracheal intubation on the paranasal sinuses: A prospective study of 434 intensive care patients

A total of 434 patients admitted to the intensive care unit for mechanical ventilation were followed prospectively to investigate the influence of a nasotracheal tube on the paranasal sinuses. Twenty-five patients died before the examination was completed. The rest were examined for clinical symptoms of sinusitis. If sinusitis was suspected or the patients were intubated for 5 days or more, an x-ray of the sinuses was performed. In patients intubated for less than 5 days (N = 357), sinusitis was clinically suspected in three, but radiographically verified in only one. In patients intubated for 5 days or more (N = 47), 23 (49%) had affection of the paranasal sinuses. Patients needing a nasotracheal tube should be examined for sinusitis if they are intubated for more than 5 days or if unexplained fever, sepsis or purulent nasal secretion develops. If the suspicion is confirmed, the nasotracheal tube should be removed.     

Insertion of a laryngeal mask airway before removal of a nasotracheal tube in a patient after anterior spine surgery

A 19-year-old man with cervical spondylosis (C4-C6) was scheduled for an anterior spine surgery. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and fentanyl, and nasotracheal intubation was performed without difficulty after vecuronium administration. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and nitrous oxide in oxygen supplemented with fentanyl. No complications were observed during the operation. After surgery, the patient's head and neck were stabilized by a halo-vest, and we attempted to minimize stress responses associated with tracheal extubation. While the patient was still deeply anesthetized, and the nasotracheal tube was in place, a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was placed without difficulty. After confirming correct position of the LMA, the nasotracheal tube was removed without body movement or coughing. Removal of the LMA was safely performed after recovery of the patient's respiration and consciousness. We believe that the laryngeal mask airway is useful during emergence from anesthesia in the patient whose trachea is intubated nasally.     

Palliative intubation of the tracheobronchial tree

Sixteen patients with far-advanced neoplastic lesions in the trachea and main-stem bronchi were studied. Ten of them were admitted to the ward in extremely poor general condition with marked cyanosis and dyspnea at rest. Palliative intubation was undertaken with two types of tubes: a Neville tracheal prosthesis and a Tracheoflex tracheostomy tube. Both types of tubes had to be specially prepared, as they had originally been designed for other purposes. The tubes were placed in the stenotic sections of the trachea and, depending on anatomical relations, within the right or left main bronchus as well. Intubation of the bronchus in the case of changes involving only the trachea was necessary to properly position and fasten the tube in the bronchial tree and to prevent displacement of the prosthesis inside the trachea. In two patients the esophagus was intubated as well. An improvement in the general condition of all patients was observed. Intubation resulted in reexpansion of a completely collapsed lung in two patients. The longest time of intubation was 9 months. The method is simple, and every physician experienced in endoscopy can use it. The results obtained encourage its further and wider application.     

Cricoid split for subglottic stenosis in infancy

Historically, tracheostomy has been used for infants with airway obstruction caused by congenital or acquired subglottic stenosis. Postoperative morbidity and mortality with this provisional operation led Cotton, in 1980, to substitute anterior cricoid split as the primary definitive procedure. Within the past three years, anterior cricoid split has been performed in 4 infants, aged 3 to 9 months, with acquired (3 patients) or congenital (1 patient) subglottic stenosis requiring ventilation through an endotracheal tube. Following cricoid split, the trachea is stented for 12 to 14 days by a nasotracheal tube, with extubation and rigid bronchoscopy in the operating room with the patient under anesthesia to confirm healing and patency. During an 18- to 24-month follow-up in these 4 patients, morbidity has been minimal, patency has persisted, and stridor has not recurred. Accordingly, a conclusive operation, cricoid split, rather than a temporizing tracheostomy may be employed for certain obstructive tracheal lesions early in life.     

高频通气在气管隆突重建术中的应用

目的 评价高频通气应用于气管隆突重建术的可行性。方法 择期肺癌需行气管隆突重建术患者１０例,常规麻醉诱导,插入双腔气管导管,开胸新开健侧主支气管后行高频通气,呼吸频率（ＲＲ）１２０次／ｍｉｎ,呼吸比（１：Ｅ）１：２,驱动压力０．１５～０．２０ＭＰａ。连接一条高频喷射通气导管（内径３ｍｍ）,插入一侧主支气管内３ｃｍ,并在术前、单肺通气后１５ｍｉｎ、高频通气后５ｍｉｎ、１０ｍｉｎ、２０ｍｉｎ及再次单肺     

Tracheoplasty for congenital stenosis of the entire trachea

Congenital stenosis involving the entire length of the trachea has generally been regarded as a fatal disease. Tracheoplasty using costal cartilage grafts to enlarge the lumen was successfully employed in such a case, and the technique is described. A 12-mo-old female was referred with recurrent severe respiratory distress since birth. By tracheoscopy and bronchography, the entire trachea was seen to be stenotic. The left bronchus was of normal caliber by bronchogram and the left lung was over inflated, while the right lung was aplastic. Through a midsternal thoracotomy, the left bronchus was incised and cannulated for ventilation. Longitudinal incision of the entire length of the anterior wall of the trachea permitted the advance of a nasotracheal tube along the inner surface of the divided trachea to the carina. Two pieces of costal cartilage were used to fill the defect in the anterior wall of the trachea. The grafts were attached to the tracheal edges by interrupted 5-0 Dexon sutures. The endotracheal tube was successfully removed two months later. The subsequent course of the patient has been satisfactory.     

Keratinising squamous metaplasia of the bladder: natural history and rationalization of management based on review of 54 years experience

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience of keratinising squamous metaplasia of the bladder as a predictor for the development of cancer and other complications, and formulate a policy for its management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review (1945-1999) identified 34 patients with histologically proven keratinising squamous metaplasia (27 males and 7 females, average age 50 years, range 13-80 years). The histological criteria used to diagnose keratinising squamous metaplasia were squamous metaplasia of the urothelium with keratinisation and/or hyperkeratosis and/or acanthosis. Female patients with non-keratinising squamous metaplasia (vaginal metaplasia) were excluded. RESULTS: Four patients had synchronous bladder carcinoma (three advanced with early death; one localised, cured by cystectomy). Another 14 patients had extensive metaplasia (Group A, >50% of mucosal involvement). Three cases had cystectomy and cure. Six cases (out of 11) developed subsequent cancer (4 advanced and early death, two localised and cured by cystectomy). One other case died of obstructive uropathy secondary to squamous metaplasia. Two cases died of unrelated causes.Sixteen patients had limited squamous metaplasia (Group B, <50% involvement mucosal surface). Twelve patients had endoscopic resection, extraction bladder calculus etc. with no further complications. Another two patients underwent urinary diversion. Two patients (out of 16) developed subsequent cancer both with advanced disease and early death. CONCLUSION: Keratinising squamous metaplasia of the bladder is a significant risk factor for vesical carcinoma and complications, such as bladder contracture and ureteral obstruction. This risk of complications increases with more extensive bladder mucosal involvement. The wide variation in lag time to the development of complications necessitates indefinite follow-up. Selected patients with extensive bladder involvement and long life expectancy should be offered cystectomy.     

Tracheal pathology following short-term intubation with low- and high-pressure endotracheal tube cuffs

Histologic sections of dog tracheas were taken from 20 dogs anesthetized and intubated for 5 to 7 hours with high-pressure, low-volume Shiley or low-pressure, high-volume Lanz endo-tracheal tubes. Microscopic examination and measurement showed that while the high-pressure, low-volume cuff produced deeper average mucosal erosion, the large-volume, low-pressure cuff resulted in significantly greater lengths of tracheal mucosa-cuff erosion. Maximal depth of penetration throught the basement membrane was similar in both groups. Grooves in the mucosa were seen in 50% of the high-volume-cuff trachea sections but none of the low-volume-cuff tracheal sections. These findings demonstrate that low-pressure, high-volume endotracheal tube cuffs produce different but significant tracheal damage after short-term intubation when compared to high-pressure, low-volume cuffs.     

Clinical test to confirm tracheal intubation: a new method to confirm endotracheal intubation in the absence of capnography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Advancing an uncut endotracheal tube into the right main bronchus produces unilateral breath sounds. We wanted to test the validity of using this method to distinguish oesophageal from tracheal intubation. METHODS: Forty-two patients were randomized into two groups. The first group was randomized to receive an endotracheal tube that was advanced into the right main bronchus. The second group of patients had their tracheas intubated as normal and then a second endotracheal tube was placed in the oesophagus. Blinded observers were then asked to decide by auscultation if the patients had unilateral breath sounds or not and if they were bronchial and therefore to decide if endotracheal intubation had occurred. RESULTS: Ninety-one per cent of patients (95% CI 0.71-0.99) intubated in the right main bronchus were correctly identified by unilateral breath sounds confirming the usefulness of this test. CONCLUSIONS: Advancing an endotracheal tube into the right main bronchus and auscultation of unilateral breath sounds is a useful way of confirming tracheal intubation.     

TRACHEAL TUBE CUFF INFLATION AS AN AID TO BLIND NASOTRACHEAL INTUBATION

We have assessed the efficacy of tracheal tube cuff inflationin the oropharynx as an aid to blind nasotracheal intubationin 20 ASA I and II patients undergoing elective oral surgery.The trachea was intubated once using the technique of trachea/tubecuff inflation in the oropharynx and once keeping the trachea/tubecuff deflated throughout the manoeuvre. With the cuff deflated,intubation was successful in nine of 20 (45%) patients; in eightof 20 (40%) it was successful on the first attempt. With thetrachea/tube cuff inflated, intubation was successful in 19of 20 patients (95%), 15 of 20 (75%) of these on the first attempt.The success rates were significantly different (P < 0.01).Times to intubate were not significantly different (P > 0.05).We conclude that, in normal patients, trachea/tube cuff inflationin the oropharynx increases the success rate of blind nasotrachealintubation. (Br. J. Anaesth. 1993; 70: 691–693)     

Nasotracheal tube placement over the fibreoptic laryngoscope

We have assessed the effectiveness of three tracheal tube rotational movements in assisting nasotracheal tube placement over the fibreoptic laryngoscope. Ninety ASA grade 1 or 2 oral surgery patients undergoing fibreoptic nasotracheal intubation under general anaesthesia were studied. After the fibrescope had been positioned in the trachea, patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups. In group 1, no rotation was used and the tube was advanced towards the trachea in the neutral position. In group 2, the tube was rotated by 90° anticlockwise. In group 3, the tube was rotated by 180° anticlockwise, then rotated back to 90° anticlockwise (overcorrected rotation). If resistance to the advance was encountered, up to two more attempts were allowed, after further rotational manoeuvres had been made, in accordance with a standard, graduated sequence. There were significantly more successful tube placements at the first attempt in groups 2 and 3 (93% and 100% respectively) than in group I (63%). It is therefore recommended that 90° anticlockwise or overcorrected 90° anticlockwise tube rotation is used to facilitate nasotracheal tube placement during fibreoptic intubation.     

Propofol without muscle relaxants for conventional or fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation: a dose-finding study

Endotracheal intubation has been performed during the administration of propofol anesthesia without neuromuscular blockade. In this study, we determined the propofol dose required for conventional nasotracheal or for fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation of all patients. Thirty-two patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery were randomly assigned to the conventional (n = 16) or to the fiberoptic (n = 16) intubation group. In both groups, anesthesia was induced by using IV fentanyl and IV titrated propofol according to clinical need (spontaneous respiration rate, verbal response). An endotracheal tube was placed nasally in the pharynx and the vocal cords visualized by using a fiberscope inserted via the tube. In the conventional group, the larynx was visualized additionally with a laryngoscope blade (Miller). In both groups propofol was titrated until the vocal cords opened. Patients were tracheally intubated, and the propofol dose was recorded. In all patients, the trachea could be intubated without the use of muscle relaxants. Considerable interindividual differences of dose requirements were observed. The amount of propofol required in the conventional group was significantly (P < 0.0001) larger (median +/- SD: 2.74 +/- 1.59 mg/kg; range 1.95-7.07 mg/kg) than in the fiberoptic group (1.37 +/- 0.59 mg/kg; 0.72-2.86 mg/kg). Hemodynamics remained stable in all patients. Postintubational hoarseness occurred in three patients of each group. Fiberoptic nasal intubation without a muscle relaxant can be facilitated with significantly smaller and more predictable dosages of propofol than conventional nasal endotracheal intubation. The possibility of titrating the propofol dose under assisted ventilation until the vocal cords open during fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation and the better predictability of the required dose favors the fiberoptic approach. Implications: In this study, contrary to all preceding studies using predefined doses of propofol and opioids, we determined the minimal required propofol dose in combination with fentanyl for conventional or fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation without muscle relaxants.     

Sinusitis in long-term intubated, intensive care patients: nasal versus oral intubation

Discussion of paranasal sinusitis as a nosocomial infection in the mechanically ventilated intensive care (ICU) patient has recently been intensified. Some authors have emphasized nasotracheal intubation as a possible pathogenetic pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of nasotracheal or orotracheal intubation on the development of sinusitis in ICU patients. METHODS. In a prospective study, we followed 44 patients who required mechanical ventilation (greater than 24 h) in the ICU because of prolonged recovery from abdominal, thoracic, or posttraumatic surgery. Twenty patients were intubated nasotracheally and 24 orotracheally. Assignment to the groups was random. All were provided with a nasogastric tube and initially treated with systemic antibiotics. They received local antimicrobial prophylaxis of the nose, oropharynx, and stomach. Daily a-scan examinations of the maxillary sinuses were performed from the day of admission to the ICU until extubation, tracheotomy, death, or transfer. The average observation period was 6.9 days in the oral group and 7.1 days in the nasal group. In the case of a pathologic finding, aspiration of the antral sinus was carried out. In this study sinusitis indicated a sonographic finding; it did not necessarily imply a bacterial infection. RESULTS. At the beginning of the observation period, 6 patients in the oral group and 4 in the nasal group already had a pathologic maxillary sinus finding. At the end, in 15 of 24 in the oral group and 19 of 20 in the nasal group unilateral or bilateral sinusitis could be demonstrated. Development of bilateral sinusitis (13/20 in the nasotracheal group, 8/24 in the orotracheal group) was mainly observed after the appearance of unilateral sinusitis. The site corresponded to the site of the nasal tube in 65%. Unilateral paranasal infection was observed in nasotracheally and orotracheally intubated patients after an average of 2.8 and 2.6 days, respectively, whereas bilateral sinusitis had an average time delay of 4.5 and 5.7 days. Aspiration of the maxillary sinus was performed in 22 of 34 cases with sinusitis. Pathogenic organisms could be demonstrated in 7 of 13 nasotracheally intubated patients but only 2 of 9 with orotracheal tubes. CONCLUSION. We found that patients intubated orotracheally developed significantly less sinusitis than those intubated nasotracheally. Edema, local infection of the nasal mucosa, or mechanical obstruction of sinus drainage pathways by the tube are possible explanations. The fact that 63% of orally intubated patients had a pathologic maxillary sinus finding as well suggests that in addition to other reasons, an increased central venous pressure, positive pressure ventilation, and the supine position must be regarded as predisposing factors that increase the incidence of sinusitis. We conclude that the conditions of critically ill patients predispose to the development of sinusitis. Nasotracheal intubation is to be regarded as an additional risk, and therefore oral intubation should be preferred.     

Tracheal dilatation followed by stenosis in Mounier–Kuhn syndrome

A patient with previously undiagnosed Mounier-Kuhn syndrome (tracheobronchomegaly) was admitted with a head injury after a fall. The trachea was intubated with an oral tracheal tube with high-volume low-pressure cuff. The intracuff pressure was within the normal safe range recommended by the manufacturer. However, the patient developed tracheal dilatation on the second day after intubation. The trachea was extubated on the 15th day, and it was noticed 48 hours later that the patient was developing a tracheal stenosis at the site of the previous dilatation. The stenosis was so severe that the patient underwent resection-anastomosis surgery of his stenotic tracheal segment 2 months after extubation. It may be preferable in patients with Mounier-Kuhn syndrome who require mechanical ventilation to intubate the trachea with an uncuffed tube and to pack the throat to decrease the chances of gas leak and inhalation.     

The GlideScope for videolaryngoscopy-assisted nasotracheal-to-orotracheal tube exchange in the intensive care unit in a patient with a known difficult airway

A 77 year old, nasally intubated man with a history of repeated episodes of airway obstruction requiring intubation due to recurrent laryngitis and a hypopharyngeal mass, needed nasotracheal-to-orotracheal tube exchange. The GlideScope videolaryngoscope was inserted, achieving a full view of the glottic inlet with the nasotracheal tube in situ. An endotracheal tube (ETT) loaded on a GlideRite Rigid Stylet was advanced through the oropharynx into view. Advancement of this ETT to the glottic opening was tested and achieved. With both tracheal tubes in view, the nasotracheal tube cuff was deflated and withdrawn from the glottic opening. While maintaining videoscopic visualization, the orotracheal tube was advanced through the vocal cords into the trachea. The benefits of this technique versus existing alternatives are discussed.     

气管切除与人工气管重建手术25例麻醉方法分析

目的 分析讨论气管切除吻合或人工气管替代等手术的麻醉方式和结果.方法 对采用不同手术方式治疗的25例气管良、恶性疾病患者的麻醉和手术过程进行了回顾性分析.其中良性疾病患者10例,恶性疾病患者15例.全组患者气管管腔均有不同程度的狭窄,严重者伴有明显呼吸困难.气管病变长度2.0～7.5cm.气管切除最长者8 cm,行一期吻合者14例,行人工气管替代者7例.该组患者采用单纯全身麻醉气管插管者13例,同时行心肺转流者2例;经已有的气管切开行全身麻醉者8例,在局部麻醉下行气管切开后全身麻醉者2例;行高频喷射通气辅助者2例.气管切断后,均需经远端气管或对侧主支气管内插管维持麻醉和通气.结果 全组患者均顺利完成手术,无麻醉和手术死亡.2例患者于气管切开后向左主支气管插管困难,1例患者向左主支气管插管过深,仅余左下肺通气,造成血氧饱和度下降;1例患者术毕改换无气囊导管时造成吻合口裂开;均经处理后好转.结论 气管手术麻醉风险高,个性化、周密的麻醉和手术方案以及麻醉医师与手术医师的密切配合,是保证麻醉和手术安全的关键.     

The Parker Flex-Tip™ tube for nasotracheal intubation: the influence on nasal mucosal trauma

We tested our hypothesis that use of the Parker Flex-Tip™ tracheal tube could reduce the incidence of nasal mucosal trauma during nasotracheal intubation when compared with a conventional tip tracheal tube. One hundred and two patients, who were scheduled for elective oral surgery in which nasotracheal intubation was indicated to optimise the surgical approach, were recruited into this study. Either a Flex-Tip tracheal tube or a conventional tip tracheal tube was chosen randomly for each nasotracheal intubation. The incidence of epistaxis using the Flex-Tip tracheal tube (6 (11.8%)) was significantly lower than that with the conventional tip tracheal tube (18 (35.3%); p = 0.009). Nasal pain due to intubation, rated on a 100-mm visual analogue scale, was less intense with the Flex-Tip tracheal tube (median, (10th–90th percentile) 19 (12–28) mm compared with the conventional tip tracheal tube (30 (22–35) mm; p < 0.001). The Flex-Tip tracheal tube thus appeared to reduce the incidence of nasal mucosal trauma during nasotracheal intubation and the incidence of post-intubation nasal pain, compared with the conventional tip tracheal tube.     

Fibreoptic bronchoscopic nasotracheal intubation of a neonate with Pierre Robin syndrome

A case of nasotracheal intubation using a fibreoptic bronchoscope and the Seldinger technique is described. A guide wire was passed through the suction channel of the fiberscope after the epiglottis and the vocal cords were seen; the fiberscope was removed and a nasotracheal tube passed over the wire into the trachea.     

Fatores de risco para hipoxemia intraoperatória durante ventilação monopulmonar: estudo observacional

BackgroundLeft double‐lumen endotracheal tubes have been widely used in thoracic, esophageal, vascular, and mediastinal procedures to provide lung separation. Lacking clear objective guidelines, anesthesiologists usually select appropriately sized double‐lumen endotracheal tubes based on their experience with 35 and 37 Fr double‐lumen endotracheal tubes, which are the most commonly used. We hypothesized the patients with a left main bronchus of shorter length (<40 mm) had a greater chance of experiencing desaturation during one lung ventilation, due to obstruction in the orifice of the left upper lobe with the bronchial tube.MethodsWe included 360 patients with a left double‐lumen intubated between September 2014 and August 2015. The patient's age, sex, height, weight, and underlying disease were recorded along with type of surgical procedure and the desaturation episodes. In addition, the width of the trachea and the width and length of the left bronchus were measured using computed tomography.ResultPatients with a left main bronchus length of less than 40 mm who underwent intubation with a left double‐lumen endotracheal tubes had significantly higher incidence of desaturation (Odds Ratio (OR: 8.087)) during one‐lung ventilation. Other related factors of patients identified to be at risk of developing hypoxia were diabetes mellitus (OR: 5.368), right side collapse surgery (OR: 4.933), and BMI (OR: 1.105).ConclusionsWe identified that patients with a left main bronchus length of less than 40 mm have a great chance of desaturation, especially if other desaturation risk factors are present.