A randomized crossover comparison between the Laryngeal Mask Airway-Unique™ and the air-Q intubating laryngeal airway in children.

Objectives: The purpose of this randomized crossover study was to evaluate the feasibility of the air-Q intubating laryngeal airway (ILA) in clinical practice when compared with the Laryngeal Mask Airway-Unique(™) (LMA-U), the current standard of care for primary airway maintenance.

Aim: We hypothesized that the ILA would have better airway seal pressures and laryngeal alignment than the LMA-U in anesthetized nonparalyzed children.

Background: The ILA is a newer supraglottic airway for children with design features that allow it to be used for primary airway maintenance and as a conduit for tracheal intubations.

Prospective evaluation of the self-pressurized air-Q intubating laryngeal airway in children.

Objectives: To assess the clinical efficacy of the self-pressurized air-Q ILA™ (ILA-SP).

Aim:   The purpose of this prospective audit was to evaluate the feasibility of the ILA-SP in clinical practice and generate data for future comparison trials.

Background: The ILA-SP is a new first-generation supraglottic airway for children with a self-adjusting cuff and lack of a pilot balloon.

A clinical evaluation of the intubating laryngeal airway as a conduit for tracheal intubation in children.

Background: The air-Q Intubating Laryngeal Airway (ILA) (Cookgas LLC, Mercury Medical, Clearwater, FL) is a supraglottic airway device available in pediatric sizes, with design features to facilitate passage of cuffed tracheal tubes when used to guide tracheal intubation. We designed this prospective observational study of the ILA to assess the ease of its placement in paralyzed pediatric patients, determine its position and alignment to the larynx using a fiberoptic bronchoscope, gauge its efficacy as a conduit for fiberoptic intubation with cuffed tracheal tubes, and evaluate the ability to remove the ILA without dislodgement of the tracheal tube after successful tracheal intubation.

Methods: One hundred healthy children, aged 6 months to 8 years, ASA physical status I to II, and scheduled for elective surgery requiring general endotracheal anesthesia were enrolled in this prospective study.

The effect of motor activity on the onset and progression of brachial plexus block with bupivacaine: a randomized prospective study in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Background: A decreased latency of onset of neural blockade has been noted when muscular exercise of the hand was performed after supraclavicular brachial plexus block using lidocaine. In this observational study, we examined the effect of repetitive muscle contraction of the hand on the speed of onset of interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) using bupivacaine.

Methods: Forty patients were enrolled, all of whom received an ISB as one component of their anesthetic management for elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Intrathecal magnesium sulfate administration at the time of experimental ischemia improves neurological functioning by reducing acute and delayed loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord.

Background: In this study, the authors determined the effect of magnesium sulfate on intrathecal glutamate concentrations, hindlimb motor function, and histopathology after a transient episode of spinal cord ischemia.

Methods: Fifty-two New Zealand White rabbits underwent spinal cord ischemia for 30 min. Fifteen minutes before ischemia, animals received intrathecal magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) (3 mg/kg) or placebo (artificial cerebrospinal fluid).