Evidence-Based Selection of Sedation Agents for Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography.

Sedating patients undergoing advanced endoscopic procedures such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is challenging for the endoscopy team. Considering these challenges and concerns with the use of propofol for deep sedation of older adults and high-risk patients, colleagues of one of the authors (AS) were interested in the identification of techniques for the anesthetic management of subjects undergoing therapeutic ERCP. A search strategy revealed a total of 7 evidence sources.

Methods to Improve Success With the GlideScope Video Laryngoscope.

Occasionally intubation of patients is difficult using a video laryngoscope (GlideScope, Verathon Medical) because of an inability to guide the endotracheal tube to the glottis or pass the tube into the trachea despite an adequate view of the glottis. We examined methods to improve success when this difficulty occurs. A literature search revealed 253 potential sources, with 25 meeting search criteria: 7 randomized controlled trials, 4 descriptive studies, 8 case series, and 6 case reports.

Novel preoperative pharmacologic methods of preventing postoperative sore throat due to tracheal intubation.

Postoperative sore throat (POST) is usually self-limiting but was rated by patients as one of the top 10 most undesirable anesthetic outcomes. Pharmacologic interventions that have been suggested to decrease the incidence of POST include application of local anesthetics and corticosteroids to the cuff of the endotracheal tube. These interventions often require extra steps during induction of general anesthesia.