Topical lidocaine reduces the risk of perioperative airway complications in children with upper respiratory tract infections.

Purpose: To determine the effect of topically applied lidocaine on perioperative airway complications when using a laryngeal mask airway device (LMAD) in children either with or without a history of recent or ongoing upper respiratory tract infection (URI).

Methods: In a randomized controlled double-blind trial, 34 children with a history of recent or ongoing URI and 32 non-URI children- all of whom were younger than age ten and scheduled to undergo minor surgical procedures-were randomly assigned to either a lidocaine or a placebo group. In the lidocaine group, an LMAD was lubricated with lidocaine gel before insertion, and a clear lubricating gel was used in the placebo group.

Resistive polymer versus forced-air warming: comparable heat transfer and core rewarming rates in volunteers.

Background: Mild perioperative hypothermia increases the risk of several severe complications. Perioperative patient warming to preserve normothermia has thus become routine, with forced-air warming being used most often. In previous studies, various resistive warming systems have shown mixed results in comparison with forced-air.

Lower flange modification improves performance of the Macintosh, but not the Miller laryngoscope blade.

Purpose: In order to minimize the potential for dental damage and to improve laryngeal visualization during tracheal intubation, two commonly used laryngoscope blades were modified and compared in a clinical setting: the Miller laryngoscope blade and the Macintosh laryngoscope blade. Modified versions of both laryngoscope blades with a lowered heel (Callander modification) at the proximal end of the blade were compared to standard blades.

Methods: Forty patients scheduled for general anesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation were studied prospectively.