Use of a double balloon enteroscope facilitates caecal intubation after incomplete colonoscopy with a standard colonoscope

BACKGROUND: Caecal intubation is a necessary step in the complete endoscopic evaluation of the colon. Studies have estimated that experienced colonoscopists may fail to reach the caecum in up to 10% of cases. AIMS: To evaluate the utility of the double balloon enteroscope used for complete examination of the colon in patients with incomplete standard colonoscopy. PATIENTS: Twenty consecutive patients with incomplete colonoscopies within the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System. Mean age of 66 years (S.D.+/-12 years, range 46-84), 16 men. METHODS: Prospective single-centre case series on the caecal intubation rate using standard double balloon enteroscope technique in patients with previous incomplete conventional colonoscopy. RESULTS: Use of the standard double balloon enteroscope technique permitted complete colonoscopy to be achieved in 95% of the patients (19/20). Seven patients (35%) had significant pathology beyond the extent of the prior incomplete colonoscopy. We performed endoscopic mucosal resection, polypectomy or biopsy. The mean time to reach the caecum was 28 min (S.D.+/-20 min, range 6-90 min). The sedation was similar to conventional colonoscopy. No complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The double balloon enteroscope technology and technique can be used to complete examination of the colon in patients who were referred because of incomplete standard colonoscopy.     

Tracheal intubation under fluoroscopic control X ray-guided orotracheal intubation in three cases of impossible direct laryngoscopy

Three patients are described in whom it was impossible to visualise the larynx at direct laryngoscopy. Tracheal intubation was successfully and rapidly achieved with the aid of continuous fluoroscopy.     

Influence of anaesthesia and muscle relaxation on intubating conditions and sympathoadrenal response to tracheal intubation

Background : The study aimed to assess the relative influence of anaesthesia and muscle relaxation on intubating conditions and the haemodynamic and catecholamine responses to tracheal intubation.
Methods : Sixty ASA 1 or 2 patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups (15 patients each) that differed in the depth of anaesthesia (thiopentone plus fentanyl 2.5 μg kg^-1 or thiopentone alone) and the degree of vecuronium–induced neuromuscular block (100% or _>: 65%) at intubation. Muscle relaxation was measured at 0.1 Hz by means of mechanomyography. Heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were measured before and after induction of anaesthesia, and 1 min and 5 min following intubation, while adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline concentrations (NA) were determined from arterial blood samples.
Results : Intubating conditions were improved primarily by providing complete muscle relaxation at the adductor pollicis muscle (P<0.001) and to a lesser extent by adding fentanyl to thiopentone (P=0.04). The response of HR and MAP to tracheal intubation was attenuated mainly by fentanyl (P<0.001). Complete muscle relaxation further diminished the response of MAP to intubation (P=0.03). Changes in A and NA were dependent on the depth of anaesthesia only (P =>0.01).
Conclusion : The results of the study demonstrate that the sympathoadrenal response to intubation is attenuated by adding fentanyl (2.5 kg^-1) to an induction regimen with thiopentone, whereas provision of complete muscle relaxation at the adductor pollicis muscle is necessary to attain smooth intubating conditions.     

Intubating conditions provided by propofol and alfentanil - acceptable, but not ideal

Background: The use of muscle relaxants to facilitate intubation is associated with several side effects regardless of whether depolarizing or non-depolarizing drugs are used. In the present study we compared the intubating conditions, haemodynamic responses and changes in oxygen saturation following induction with alfentanil and propofol or alfentanil, thiopental and suxamethonium.
Methods: Eighty patients (ASA I or II) were in a double-blind manner assigned to receive either of the two induction methods. Intubating conditions were assessed on the basis of jaw relaxation, ease of insertion of the endotracheal tube and coughing on intubation. Heart rate, systolic arterial pressure and oxygen saturation were monitored throughout the procedure.
Results: The use of alfentanil and propofol resulted in significantly lower scored intubation points. Systolic arterial pressure decreased and heart rate increased significantly in the alfentanil-thiopental-suxamethonium group as compared to the alfentanil-propofol group. There were no significant changes in oxygen saturation.
Conclusion: The results show that propofol and alfentanil in combination provides haemodynamic stability and unaltered oxygen saturation but less optimal intubating conditions.     

162例气管插管患者的气道管理

笔者通过报道162例气管插管患者的气道管理，阐述痰痂形成的原因：(1)气道干燥，湿化不够。(2)吸痰管插入深度不够，吸痰不彻底。管理措施：(1)用金霉素眼膏润滑吸痰管，使之易于插入，保证吸痰管插入深度超过插管远端3-5cm。(2)预防气道干燥，注重湿化效果，重视吸痰环节。认为气囊不需定时放气，只需不定时调整气囊压力。     

老年卧床病人鼻饲并发症的护理干预

目的　通过护理干预 (增加置入胃管深度、抬高床头、适宜鼻饲量及鼻饲速度 )预防鼻饲时出现的呛咳、食物反流、胃潴留以及吸入性肺炎。方法　将 16例老年卧床鼻饲患者随机分成四组 ,对照组给予教科书上常规的置管深度及鼻饲方法 ;实验一组 (A)给予常规置管深度 ,鼻饲时抬高床头 30～ 80cm ;实验二组 (B)置管深度延长 8～ 10cm ,实验三组 (C)置管深度延长8～ 10cm ,鼻饲时抬高床头 30～ 80cm(坐位或半坐位 ) ,保持该体位 30min。结果　四组病人比较呛咳 ,对照组与实验组 (A、B、C)P <0 .0 1,差异有统计学意义 ;食物返流率P <0 .0 5 ;胃潴留对照组与实验组P >0 .0 5 ,差异无统计学意义 ;吸入性肺炎对照组 2例 ,A、B组各 1例 ,C组无发生。结论　护理干预可以减少与预防鼻饲并发症的发生。     

老年病人鼻饲方法的改进

目的探讨增加置管深度并抬高床头对预防老年鼻饲病人食物反流的效果。方法将 5 75例需鼻饲的卧床老年病人按鼻饲医嘱时间顺序及不平衡指数最小原则分成三组 ,分别给予教科书中的常规置管深度置管 (对照组 )、置管深度延长 10cm(观察 1组 )、置管深度延长 10cm并抬高床头 30～ 45°(观察 2组 )进行鼻饲。结果三组病人食物反流率比较 ,P <0 .0 1;观察 1、2组分别与对照组比较 ,P <0 .0 5、P <0 .0 1;观察 1组与观察 2组比较 ,P <0 .0 1。增加置管深度并抬高床头其食物反流率最低 ,仅增加置管深度次之 ,常规置管最高。结论增加置管深度并抬高床头可显著降低老年鼻饲病人食物反流发生率。     

院前紧急气管插管与机械通气24例临床分析

目的总结紧急气管插管与机械通气在院前急救中应用的经验,以期提高院前急救水平。方法回顾性分析24例院前气管插管与机械通气抢救心搏呼吸骤停病人的临床资料。结果24例病人气管内插管均获成功,成功率100%。完成气管内插管的时间是15s～60s,平均时间(25±15)s。心搏、自主呼吸恢复4例(16.7%),心搏恢复8例(33.3%);心搏及自主呼吸均未恢复12例(50.0%)。结论气管插管与机械通气是急诊抢救危重病人的基础,对保证进一步心肺复苏、挽留手术机会以及提高危重患者抢救成功率有重要意义。要加强对抢救人员进行紧急气管插管和机械通气的培训。     

Intramuscular dexmedetomidine premedication—an alternative to midazolam-fentanyl-combination in elective hysterectomy?

Sedation, anxiolysis, intubation responses and fentanyl anaesthetic requirements were investigated in a double-blind, randomized study in twenty ASA I-II elective hysterectomy patients. Ten patients received dexmedetomidine 2.5 μg kg^-1 i.m. 60 min before induction and saline placebo i.v. 2 min prior to induction (= DP group). Ten patients received midazolam 0.08 mg kg^-1 i.m. 60 min and fentanyl 1.5 μg kg^-1 i.v. (= MF group) 2 min before induction of anaesthesia with thiopentone 4 mg kg^-1. Anaesthesia was maintained with 70% nitrous oxide in oxygen and with fentanyl 2 μg kg^-1 i.v. increments according to predetermined criteria. Both premedications induced sedation ( P < 0.01 in both groups) and anxiolysis ( P < 0.01 in DP vs <0.05 in MF group) without any differences between the groups. Haemodynamic changes following tracheal intubation did not significantly differ between the groups. Intraoperatively systolic and diastolic arterial pressure were 15% and 13% lower in DP group ( P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 for drug effect), the mean heart rate was approximately 9 beats min^-1 lower in DP group (n.s.). Fentanyl was required more often in MF group: median 3.5 (QD 1.5) vs. 2.5 (QD 0.5) times in DP group ( P < 0.05), the total amount being 57% smaller in DP group: 0.03 (QD 0.01) vs. 0.07 (QD 0.02) μg kg^-1 min^-1 ( P < 0.05). Postoperative course and analgesic requirements were similar in both groups. Dexmedetomidine premedication may offer an alternative to current anaesthesia practice in elective hysterectomy.