Surface anatomy as a guide to vertebral level for thoracic epidural placement.

Background: Precise placement of thoracic epidural catheters is required to optimize postoperative analgesia and minimize adverse effects. Previous research demonstrated that anesthesiologists are inaccurate when using surface anatomy to locate vertebral levels. In this study, we compared the accuracy of two different landmarks to identify the seventh thoracic (T7) spinous process.

LMA-Classic and LMA-ProSeal are effective alternatives to endotracheal intubation for gynecologic laparoscopy.

Purpose: To compare the laryngeal mask airways (LMA), LMA-Classic(TM) (LMA-C) and LMA-ProSeal(TM) (PLMA) with the endotracheal tube (ETT) with respect to pulmonary ventilation and gastric distension during gynecologic laparoscopy.

Methods: We stratified 209 women, aged > or = 18 yr, ASA physical status I-III, by body mass index as non-obese (< or = 30 kg x m(-2)) or obese (> 30 kg x m(-2)) and randomized them to LMA-C/PLMA or ETT groups for airway management. Anesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl and succinylcholine or rocuronium.

The LMA-ProSeal is an effective alternative to tracheal intubation for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Purpose: To compare LMA-ProSeal (LMA-PS) with endotracheal tube (ETT) with respect to pulmonary ventilation and gastric distension during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: We randomized 109 ASA I-III adults to LMA-PS or ETT after stratifying them as non-obese or obese (body mass index > 30 kg x m-2). After preoxygenation, anesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl and rocuronium.