Evaluation and control of waste anesthetic gas in the postanesthesia care unit within patient and caregiver breathing zones.

This study (NCT02428413) evaluated waste anesthetic gas (WAG) in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and assessed the utility of the ISO-Gard mask in reducing nursing exposure to WAG. We hypothesized that WAG levels in the patient's breathing zone upon recovery would exceed the recommended levels, leading to increased exposure of the PACU nurses, with use of the ISO-Gard mask limiting this exposure. A total of 125 adult patients were recruited to participate.

Subglottic perioperative airway-tube inflation via randomized evaluation with variable syringe size (Spair-Tire) study.

Introduction: Risks of endotracheal tube cuff (ETTC) over inflation must be balanced with the need to achieve a minimum pressure of 20 cm H O. Methods have been developed to estimate adequate ETTC pressurization but do not provide accurate endotracheal tube cuff pressure (ETCP) measurements. Hence, different sized syringes may play a role in determining ETCP.

Evaluating the Adjuvant Effect of Dexamethasone to Ropivacaine in Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Inguinal Hernia Repair and Spermatocelectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a relatively straightforward regional technique used for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. Various adjuvants have been used in past to prolong the duration of action of analgesia in peripheral nerve blocks. Several studies investigating the analgesic efficacy of dexamethasone added to local anesthetic agents, such as bupivacaine, have shown promising results.

In-Hospital Mortality with Use of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: Results of a Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a frequently performed invasive procedure that has been associated with high short-term mortality. Its use of special interest in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients as nutrition support constitutes important issues in intensive care of this group. We used a national database to determine the incidence of, and factors associated with, in-hospital mortality among TBI patients undergoing PEG.