Implementation of video laryngoscopes and the development in airway management strategy and prevalence of difficult tracheal intubation: A national cohort study.

Background: We aimed to determine the development in the use of video laryngoscopy over a 9-year period, and its possible impact on airway planning and management.

Methods: We retrieved 822,259 records of tracheal intubations recorded from 2008 to 2016 in the Danish Anaesthesia Database. The circumstances regarding pre-operative airway assessment, the scheduled airway management plan and the actual airway management concerning video laryngoscopy were reported for each year of observation.

AuraGain™ versus i-gel™ for bronchoscopic intubation under continuous oxygenation: A randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: After failed mask ventilation and tracheal intubation, guidelines issued by the Difficult Airway Society recommend placing a second generation supraglottic airway device to secure oxygenation. Ultimately, a secure airway can be obtained by tracheal intubation through the supraglottic airway device using a bronchoscope. In this randomised trial, we compared the AuraGain™ with the i-gel™ as conduit for bronchoscopic intubation under continuous oxygenation performed by a group of anaesthesiologists with variable experience in a general population of patients.

Anesthesiologists' airway management expertise: Identifying subjective and objective knowledge gaps.

Background: Failure in airway management continues to cause preventable patient harm, and the recommended continuing education is challenged by anesthesiologists' unknown knowledge gaps. This study aimed to identify anesthesiologists' subjective and objective knowledge gaps as well as areas where anesthesiologists are incorrect and unaware.

Methods: An adaptive E-learning program with 103 questions on adult airway management was used for subjective and objective assessment of anesthesiologists' knowledge.

Intraindividual variation of the transversus abdominis plane block: an exploratory study in healthy volunteers.

Introduction: The transversus abdominis plane block is widely used in postoperative pain management after abdominal surgery. However, large interindividual variation in the cutaneous distribution area of the block has been demonstrated. The purpose of the present study was to explore the reproducibility of the block by determining the intraindividual variation when repeating the block on two separate days.

"Eyeball test" of thermographic patterns for predicting a successful lateral infraclavicular block.

Purpose: Increased distal skin temperature can be used to predict the success of lateral infraclavicular (LIC) block. We hypothesized that an "eyeball test" of specific infrared thermographic patterns after LIC block could be used to determine block success.

Methods: In this observational study, five observers trained in four distinct thermographic patterns independently evaluated thermographic images of the hands of 40 patients at baseline and at one-minute intervals for 30 min after a LIC block.

Avoidance versus use of neuromuscular blocking agents for improving conditions during tracheal intubation or direct laryngoscopy in adults and adolescents.

Background: Tracheal intubation during induction of general anaesthesia is a vital procedure performed to secure a patient's airway. Several studies have identified difficult tracheal intubation (DTI) or failed tracheal intubation as one of the major contributors to anaesthesia-related mortality and morbidity. Use of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) to facilitate tracheal intubation is a widely accepted practice.

The Danish Anaesthesia Database.

Aim Of Database: The aim of the Danish Anaesthesia Database (DAD) is the nationwide collection of data on all patients undergoing anesthesia. Collected data are used for quality assurance, quality development, and serve as a basis for research projects.

Study Population: The DAD was founded in 2004 as a part of Danish Clinical Registries (Regionernes Kliniske Kvalitetsudviklings Program [RKKP]).

Lack of national consensus in preoperative airway assessment.

Introduction: Difficult airway management is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Several preoperative risk factors associated with airway management difficulties have been proposed; however, no clear guideline for airway assessments exists. We therefore hypothesised that Danish airway assessment was lacking uniformity.

Risk Factors for and Prediction of a Difficult Neuraxial Block: A Cohort Study of 73,579 Patients from the Danish Anaesthesia Database.

Background: A difficult neuraxial block (DNB) may be associated with complications. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of DNB, assess patient-related and organizational factors associated with DNB, and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of an accumulated risk score for predicting DNB.

Methods: A consecutive cohort of 73,579 patients was retrieved.

Cutaneous Sensory Block Area, Muscle-Relaxing Effect, and Block Duration of the Transversus Abdominis Plane Block: A Randomized, Blinded, and Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Volunteers.

Background And Objectives: The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a widely used nerve block. However, basic block characteristics are poorly described. The purpose of this study was to assess the cutaneous sensory block area, muscle-relaxing effect, and block duration.

Detailed statistical analysis plan for the difficult airway management (DIFFICAIR) trial.

Background: Preoperative airway assessment in Denmark is based on a non-specific clinical assessment left to the discretion of the responsible anesthesiologist. The DIFFICAIR trial compares the effect of using a systematic and consistent airway assessment versus a non-specific clinical assessment on the frequency of unanticipated difficult airway management.To prevent outcome bias and selective reporting, we hereby present a detailed statistical analysis plan as an amendment (update) to the previously published protocol for the DIFFICAIR trial.

Incidence of unanticipated difficult airway using an objective airway score versus a standard clinical airway assessment: the DIFFICAIR trial - trial protocol for a cluster randomized clinical trial.

Background: Pre-operative airway assessment in Denmark is based on a non-specific clinical assessment. Systematic, evidence-based and consistent airway assessment may reduce the incidence of unanticipated difficult airway management. By assessing multiple predictors for difficult airway management, the predictive value of the assessment increases.

Tracheal intubation with a flexible fibreoptic scope or the McGrath videolaryngoscope in simulated difficult airway scenarios: a randomised controlled manikin study.

Background: Flexible fibreoptic endoscopic (FFE) intubation is considered the 'gold-standard' when difficult airway management is anticipated. Several videolaryngoscopes have been developed to facilitate intubation by laryngoscopy.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the performance of the McGrath series 5 videolaryngoscope (McGrath videolaryngoscope) and the FFE for tracheal intubation in manikins with a simulated difficult airway, hypothesizing that the McGrath videolaryngoscope intubation would prove faster than FFE intubation.

Awake fiberoptic or awake video laryngoscopic tracheal intubation in patients with anticipated difficult airway management: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Awake flexible fiberoptic intubation (FFI) is the gold standard for management of anticipated difficult tracheal intubation. The purpose of this study was to compare awake FFI to awake McGrath® video laryngoscope, (MVL), (Aircraft Medical, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom) intubation in patients with an anticipated difficult intubation. The authors examined the hypothesis that MVL intubation would be faster than FFI.

[Glasgow Coma Scale < 9 as a criterion for tracheal intubation of patients with traumatic brain injuries?].

Guidelines use GCS < 9 as a criterion for tracheal intubation of patients with traumatic brain injuries. Our hypothesis was that there was actually no evidence for using this criterion. We searched relevant databases and found no association between a particular GCS and impaired pharyngeal control, but we did find an association between a low GCS and respiratory insufficiency.