With the increasing demand for one-lung ventilation in both thoracic surgery and other procedures, identifying the correct placement becomes increasingly important. Currently, endobronchial intubation is suspected based on a combination of auscultation and physiological findings. We investigated the ability of the visual display of airflow-induced vibrations to detect single-lung ventilation with a double-lumen endotracheal tube.

Double-lumen tubes were placed prior to surgery. Tracheal and endobronchial lumens were alternately clamped to produce unilateral lung ventilation of right and left lung. Vibration response imaging, which detects vibrations transmitted to the surface of the thorax, was performed during both right- and left-lung ventilation. Geographical area of vibration response image as well as amount and distribution of lung sounds were assessed.

During single-lung ventilation, the image and video obtained from the vibration response imaging identifies the ventilated lung with a larger and darker image on the ventilated side. During single-lung ventilation, 87.2 ± 5.7% of the measured vibrations was detected over the ventilated lung and 12.8 ± 5.7% over the non-ventilated lung (P < 0.0001). It was also noted that during single-lung ventilation, the vibration distribution in the non-ventilated lung had a majority of vibration detected by the medial sensors closest to the midline (P < 0.05) as opposed to the midclavicular sensors when the lung is ventilated.

During single-lung ventilation, vibration response imaging clearly showed increased vibration in the lung that is being ventilated. Distribution of residual vibration differed in the non-ventilated lung in a manner that suggests transmission of vibrations across the mediastinum from the ventilated lung. The lung image and video obtained from vibration response imaging may provide useful and immediate information to help one-lung ventilation assessment.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a lifelong systemic disease that can affect any joint with a synovium. Managing intubation in patients with rheumatoid disease is a special challenge in these patients especially if specific joints, which play an important role during intubation, are affected. We aimed to investigate if there was a correlation between the activity and duration of the disease and the commonly used predictors of difficult intubation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Sixty-six patients with the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and 60 control patients were included in the study. Patient characteristics were recorded. Body mass index, disease activity scores, Mallampati classification, sternomental distance, thyromental distance, inter-incisor distance and atlanto-occipital joint extension were measured for each patient. Every patient was asked to complete the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ score). Disease activity score (DAS 28 score) including 28 joints was used to assess the activity of the disease. Correlation between the predictors of difficult intubation and activity was assessed and was compared with the control group.

Mallampati scores were higher (P = 0.000), sternomental distance (P = 0.005) and inter-incisor distance (P = 0.003) were shorter and also occlusal surface–upper teeth angle (P = 0.000) and mouth corner–tragus line angle were smaller in the rheumatoid arthritis group compared with controls (P = 0.000). We did not observe a correlation between the disease activity scores and the Mallampati score (P = 0.619), sternomental distance (P = 0.195), thyromental distance (P = 0.174), inter-incisor distance (P = 0.764), angle I (P = 0.372) and angle II (P = 0.609). There was no correlation between the HAQ score and the Mallampati score (P = 0.872), sternomental distance (P = 0.455), thyromental distance (P = 0.841), inter-incisor distance (P = 0.162), angle I (P = 0.768) and angle II (P = 0.287). There was no correlation between the duration of the disease and the Mallampati score (P = 0.619), sternomental distance (P = 0.505), thyromental distance (P = 0.426), inter-incisor distance (P = 0.813), angle I (P = 0.377) and angle II (P = 0.600).

Tests of disease activity and the duration of the disease were not found to be correlated with the predictors of difficult intubation in this study. Thus, performing the predictive tests for difficult intubation especially in patients with very low scores or short disease is recommended.

Lornoxicam is a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with marked analgesic property. It has been shown to have analgesic potency similar to morphine and meperidine. Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation provoke major haemodynamic responses. Minimizing perioperative adverse events in elderly patients is of utmost importance. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of preoperative administration of Lornoxicam on haemodynamic changes during laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in the elderly.

Fifty patients aged between 65 and 75 yr were randomly recruited to this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. They were divided into two groups to receive either Lornoxicam 8 mg or placebo half an hour before surgery. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate were recorded before and after administration of the intravenous anaesthetic, also at 1, 3, 5 and 10 min after tracheal intubation.

In the control group, significant increases in the haemodynamic parameters were observed during the first 10 min following tracheal intubation (P < 0.05).

Preoperative administration of Lornoxicam attenuates the haemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in the elderly.

Failed intubation is an important cause of anaesthetic-related maternal mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability to predict difficult visualization of the larynx from the following preoperative airway predictive indices, in isolation and combination: modified Mallampati test, the ratio of height to thyromental distance and the Upper-Lip-Bite test.

We collected data on 400 consecutive parturients scheduled for elective Caesarean delivery under general anaesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation and then assessed all three factors before surgery. An experienced anaesthesiologist, not apprised of the recorded preoperative airway assessment, performed the laryngoscopy and grading (as per Cormack and Lehane’s classification). Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value for each airway predictor in isolation and in combination were determined.

Difficult laryngoscopy (Grade 3 or 4) occurred in 35 patients (8.75%). The ratio of height to thyromental distance had a higher sensitivity, positive predictive value and fewer false negatives than the other variables tested. The ratio of height to thyromental distance of 21.24 provided the best cut-off point for predicting subsequent difficult laryngoscopy. The odds ratio (95% CI) of the ratio of height to thyromental distance, Mallampati class and the Upper-Lip-Bite test were 127.8 (44.8–364.5), 49.8 (20.3–121.8) and 6.6 (2.29–19.30), respectively.

The ratio of height to thyromental distance may prove a useful screening test for predicting difficult laryngoscopy in obstetric population.

For more than 50 yr, uncuffed tracheal tubes have been the gold standard for intubation in children under the age of 8 yr. However, recently there has been interest in the use of cuffed tubes in paediatric practice. This survey aimed to benchmark UK practice with regard to tracheal intubation within specialist paediatric centres, exploring current cuffed tracheal tube use in children.

A questionnaire was e-mailed to the paediatric intensive care unit and anaesthetic department clinical leads in all UK specialist paediatric hospitals with a paediatric intensive care unit (n = 30). Information was requested on the use of tracheal tubes across all paediatric age groups, as well as the reasons for non-use and the incidence of complications attributed to cuffed tubes.

A total of 20 paediatric intensive care unit and 15 anaesthetic questionnaires were returned, equating to a response rate of 67% and 50%, respectively. Only 5% of the paediatric intensive care unit and 7% of the anaesthetic respondents routinely use a cuffed tube in children under the age of 8 yr. The commonest reason cited in both groups for non-cuff use was that there is minimal benefit to be gained over using an uncuffed tracheal tube. The most frequent specific indication for use of a cuffed tube was a reduced lung compliance (60% respondents both groups). In all, 45% of the paediatric intensive care unit respondents and 100% of the anaesthetists reported that they did not routinely monitor the intracuff pressure when using a cuffed tube. The incidence of observed complications attributed to the use of cuffed tubes was far higher amongst paediatric intensive care unit consultants (65% vs. 7% anaesthetists); however, the majority in both groups stated that such complications were no more common than when using an uncuffed tube (60% paediatric intensive care unit and 53% anaesthetists).

Cuffed tracheal tubes are rarely routinely used in children, particularly in the under 8 yr age group, in specialist paediatric centres in the UK. When used, it is predominantly for a specific indication, and the monitoring of intracuff pressure is not routine. Current expert consensus is that complications are equally as common when using a cuffed as an uncuffed tube.

Difficult airways present a clinical challenge for anaesthetists. The Truphatek Truview EVO2© (Truphatek International Ltd, Netanya, Israel) is a new laryngoscope blade used for endotracheal intubation that could be used where there is difficulty in visualizing the laryngeal inlet.

Twenty anaesthetists (12 trainees and eight consultants) compared the Truphatek Truview EVO2© with a conventional Macintosh size 3 blade. The Trucorp Airsim Bronchi© (Trucorp Ltd, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK) manikin was intubated under normal conditions and under simulated difficult conditions such as tongue inflation and neck rigidity. In each scenario, the Cormack–Lehane grade, time needed for successful intubation, perceived difficulty of tracheal intubation and personal preference of blade were compared. The results were analysed with t-test (time of intubation), Wilcoxon signed-rank sum (Cormack–Lehane grade, ease of manoeuvre, preferred blade) and analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction (augmentation of difficulties in different scenarios).

The Truview EVO2 blade allowed the best laryngeal view as judged by the Cormack–Lehane grade (P < 0.05) in two separate situations: under simulated tongue inflation and under simulated neck rigidity. However, this blade did not reduce the intubation time or the ease of tracheal tube placement with respect to conventional Macintosh blade.

Compared with the classical Macintosh blade, the Truview EVO2 blade allowed a better view of the larynx, but did not facilitate endotracheal intubation in any of the difficult scenarios created with the adjustable manikin and in most scenarios in fact prolonged the intubation time.

Partial obstruction of endotracheal tubes due to accumulation of secretions and mucus plugs can increase the tube resistance and subsequently impose increased resistive load on the patient. This study was performed to determine the changes in the resistance of endotracheal tubes of sizes 7.5, 8.0 and 8.5 mm with different degrees and locations of endotracheal tube narrowing.

Reductions of 10%, 25%, 50% and 75% in the endotracheal tube’s cross-sectional areas were created at different sites along the axes of the tube connected to an artificial lung. While ventilating with a constant inspiratory flow, a 1 s end-inspiratory occlusion manoeuvre was applied and the resulting plateau pressure was determined. The resistance was calculated as (peak airway pressure – plateau pressure)/peak inspiratory flow.

Significant increases in the endotracheal tube’s resistances were observed as the tube’s cross-sectional area reduction was increased from 25% to 50% and from 50% to 75% for the 7.5 mm endotracheal tube, from 25% to 50% for the 8.0 mm endotracheal tube, and from 50% to 75% for the 8.5 mm endotracheal tube. Changes of the endotracheal tube resistances were not affected by the site of cross-sectional area reductions along the axes of the tubes.

For endotracheal tubes of sizes 7.5, 8.0 and 8.5 mm, significant changes in the tubes resistances are observed when the partial obstructions of the tubes exceed certain critical values. The location of the partial obstruction did not affect the changes in the endotracheal tube resistances.

In emergency trauma situations, manual in-line stabilization of the cervical spine is recommended to reduce cervical spine movement during intubation. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of manual in-line stabilization during different intubation techniques on three-dimensional cervical spine movements and times to intubation.

Forty-eight subjects without any history of trauma, inflammatory or degenerative disorder of the cervical spine were randomly grouped, regardless of gender or age. All underwent elective surgery under general anaesthesia. Under manual in-line stabilization, laryngeal intubation with Macintosh laryngoscope, intubating laryngeal mask airway, fibre-endoscopic oral intubation and fibre-endoscopic nasal intubation was performed. During the intubation process, cervical three-dimensional motion was detected by an ultrasound real-time motion analysis system and intubation times were measured.

Cervical spine range in the extension/flexion direction of orolaryngeal intubation with Macintosh (17.57 ± 8.23°) showed significantly more movement than using the intubating laryngeal mask airway (4.60 ± 1.51°) and fibreoptic procedures. Intubating laryngeal mask airway was significantly different than the fibreoptic intubation techniques. There was also a significant difference between oral (3.61 ± 2.25°) nasal and (5.88 ± 3.11°) fibreoptic intubation. Times to intubation all differed significantly (P < 0.05) for the Macintosh laryngoscope (27.25 ± 8.56 s) and for the intubating laryngeal mask airway (16.5 ± 9.76 s). Fibreendoscopic laryngoscopic oral (52.91 ± 56.27 s) and nasal (82.32 ± 54.06 s) intubation resulted in further prolongation of the times to intubation.

The intubating laryngeal mask airway with manual in-line stabilization is a potentially useful adjunct to intubation of patients with potential cervical spine injury, if there are no contraindications to these methods. These results predict that fibreoptic procedures may be a safe instrument for airway management in patients with potential cervical spine injuries; however, the main disadvantages are the longer intubation times.

The Bullard laryngoscope can be useful in management of difficult airway. When the endotracheal tube is advanced over the original Bullard laryngoscope stylet, the endotracheal tube sometimes makes contact with structures around the vocal cords, especially the right arytenoids. A similar problem also occurs with flexible fibreoptic intubation and it has been shown that use of the Parker Flex-Tip™ tube usually resolves the problem. In this study we tested our hypothesis that use of the Parker Flex-Tip™ tube might improve endotracheal tube passage with the Bullard laryngoscope.

Forty patients scheduled for elective anaesthesia were randomly assigned into group ST (standard tube) or Group PT (Parker Flex-Tip™ tube). The time taken to achieve successful endotracheal tube placement after obtaining the best laryngeal view, the number of attempts at intubation and the incidences of successful intubation at first attempt and of re-direction of the Bullard laryngoscope during intubation were recorded. Unpaired t-test and χ2-test were employed and P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Use of the Parker Flex-Tip™ tube reduced the time required for successful endotracheal tube placement after the best laryngeal view was obtained from 14 ± 6 to 6 ± 2 s (P < 0.01). It also reduced the incidence of requirement for re-direction of the Bullard laryngoscope during intubation from 10/19 to 1/19 (P < 0.01). The incidence of successful intubation at the first attempt (18/19 vs. 15/19) was higher in the PT group but the difference was not statistically significant.

During intubation with the Bullard laryngoscope, use of the Parker Flex-Tip™ tube is associated with more rapid success and a lower incidence of re-direction of the Bullard laryngoscope during endotracheal intubation when compared to a standard endotracheal tube.

Tracheal intubation may be more difficult in morbidly obese patients (body mass index >35 kg m−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.

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.

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.

In morbidly obese patients, the use of the videolaryngoscope significantly improves the visualization of the larynx and thereby facilitates intubation.

The Laryngeal Tube Sonda® (LTS) and the ProSeal® Laryngeal Mask Airway (PLMA) are two new devices introduced for maintaining the airway during controlled ventilation under general anaesthesia. The present investigation compared their performance in a randomized controlled study.

One hundred ASA I–II patients, aged 18–60 yr undergoing elective minor surgery, were randomized to receive either an LTS (n = 50) or PLMA (n = 50) for airway management. After induction of general anaesthesia, the devices were inserted, its correct placement was verified and airway leak pressure was measured. Ease of insertion, quality of airway seal, fibre-optic view and postoperative pharyngeal morbidity were examined.

There were no differences in patient characteristics for both groups. First-time and second-time success rates were comparable for both groups (86 vs. 88% and 96 vs. 98% in LTS and PLMA groups, respectively). The airway of one patient in each group could not be managed with these devices after three attempts. Time until delivery of first tidal volume for LTS and PLMA was 24.5 ± 6.9 and 28.8 ± 10.3 s. Fixation and manipulation time was 54.9 ± 15.2 and 73.2 ± 25 s, respectively (P < 0.05). Airway seal pressure (cm H2O) for LTS and PLMA was 20 ± 8.6 and 24.1 ± 10.8, respectively (P = 0.04). Patients were questioned on a variety of postoperative pharyngeal morbidities. Only hoarseness was more frequent in the LTS group.

Both devices provide a secure airway, are similar in clinical utility and are easy to insert. Better airway seal was detected in the PLMA group.

The effectiveness of the Cobra perilaryngeal airway as a routine airway device and as a conduit for tracheal intubation has not been prospectively studied to date. This study aimed to evaluate the Cobra perilaryngeal airway for its potential role in an emergency airway rescue, by analysing its use as a bridge to blind or fibre-optic-guided intubation.

In 49 patients, the procedure was carried out as follows: fibre-optic view through the Cobra perilaryngeal airway was assessed after the insertion of the Cobra perilaryngeal airway, then blind intubation through the Cobra perilaryngeal airway was attempted. After evaluating the success of blind intubation, fibre-optic-guided intubation was performed through the Cobra perilaryngeal airway. The endotracheal tube was removed after evaluating the success of fibre-optic-guided intubation, and then conventional laryngoscopy was carried out to evaluate the Cormack & Lehane grade and airway trauma.

In all, 95.9% (47/49) of patients had adequate ventilation using the Cobra perilaryngeal airway; the success rates for the blind and fibre-optic-guided intubation were 36.2% and 83.0%, respectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the fibre-optic view. Group 1 included patients with an obstructed view by an anterior grill of the Cobra perilaryngeal airway head, and a view of the anterior epiglottis (downfolded epiglottis) with or without a visible larynx (16/47, 34.0%). Group 2 included the remaining patients (31/47, 66.0%). The success rates of the blind and fibre-optic intubations were different between the two groups (blind intubation: 12.5% vs. 48.4%, fibre-optic intubation: 62.5% vs. 93.6%, P < 0.05). The success rates of blind and fibre-optic-guided intubations were not different according to the Cormack & Lehane grading (P > 0.05). 42.6% of patients had blood staining after removing the device and complications such as trauma and oedema were confirmed under direct laryngoscopy.

This study suggests that the Cobra perilaryngeal airway could be a useful airway device as a vehicle for fibre-optic-guided intubation; however, it needs caution against airway trauma.