Preoperative localization of herniated thoracic discs using myelo-CT guided transpleural puncture: technical note.

Objective: In recent years, video-assisted thoracoscopic microdiscectomy has gained acceptance as a minimally invasive, safe, and efficient technique suited for herniated thoracic discs from T4T5 until T11T12. However, correct localization is difficult and wrong level exploration is an ever-present threat. We present a reliable and time-efficient localizing technique.

Jet ventilation for laryngotracheal surgery in an ex-premature infant.

A 4-month-old ex-premature infant with severe airway obstruction from subglottic cysts presented for surgical cyst removal. Laryngeal and tracheal surgical procedures in children may present difficulties for the anesthetist because the airway is shared with the surgeon. We report the use of high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) to maintain ventilation and provide adequate surgical access.

Jet ventilation for anterior paediatric scoliosis surgery.

Single-lung anaesthesia for thoracotomy is usually achieved with endobronchial intubation, a double-lumen tube or an endobronchial blocker. High-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) is seldom described for thoracotomy in children, although it is used for both laryngology procedures in the operating room and as a ventilation mode in intensive care. HFJV was used in three children, aged 10-12 years, who presented for scoliosis correction involving thoracotomy.