Extubation after anaesthesia: a randomised comparison of three techniques.

The mode of ventilation used during awake extubation has not previously been studied. We conducted a randomised controlled trial comparing spontaneous respiration, intermittent positive pressure ventilation, and pressure support ventilation (each n = 13) for incidence and severity of peri-extubation complications following routine elective surgery. We found the severity of peri-extubation cough was significantly affected by mode of ventilation used at extubation (p = 0.

Fibreoptic intubation through the laryngeal mask airway: effect of operator experience*.

In a randomised crossover study, we compared times and success rates for tracheal placement of a fibrescope and railroading of a tracheal tube through the classic laryngeal mask airway by anaesthetists with limited experience in fibreoptic intubation (trainees) and those who were experts. Thirty-two patients, 32 trainees and three experts took part. The median (IQR [range]) times to fibrescope placement for trainees and experts were 21 (18-30 [12-58]) s and 17 (14-24 [9-55]) s, respectively (95% CI for the difference 2-8 s; p = 0.

A randomised crossover trial comparing the i-gel supraglottic airway and classic laryngeal mask airway.

In a randomised cross-over study, we compared the performance of the single use i-gel supraglottic airway and reusable classic laryngeal mask airway (cLMA) in 50 healthy anaesthetised patients who were breathing spontaneously. Primary outcome was successful insertion at first attempt. Secondary outcomes included overall insertion success rate, ease of insertion, leak pressure and fibreoptic position.

Evaluation of tracheal tube introducers in simulated difficult intubation.

In a randomised cross-over study, 72 anaesthetists attempted to place Pro-Breathe, new Portex, and Frova single-use tracheal tube introducers and an Eschmann multiple-use introducer in the trachea of a manikin set to simulate a grade 3 laryngeal view. Successful placement (proportion, 95% confidence interval) of either the Frova (78%, 67-86%) or the Eschmann introducer (64%, 52-74%) was significantly more likely (p < 0.0001) than with the Pro-Breathe (4%, 1-12%) or the new Portex introducer (13%, 7-22%).