Validation of the Arabic Severe Respiratory Insufficiency Questionnaire.

Background/objectives: Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency requiring Home Mechanical Ventilation (HMV) requires a valid measurement tool. The Severe Respiratory Insufficiency (SRI) questionnaire, originally developed in German, has been translated into different languages and tested in different contexts, but has so far not been in use in Arabic-speaking populations. The objective of this study is to validate the Arabic version of the SRI questionnaire in a sample of Arabic-speaking patients from Lebanon.

[Nondepolarizing muscle relaxant improves direct laryngoscopy view with no effect on face mask ventilation].

Background: Difficult or impossible face mask ventilation complicated with difficult tracheal intubation during anesthesia induction occurs in 0.4% of adult anesthesia cases, possibly leading to life-threatening complications. Because of such catastrophes, muscle relaxants have been recommended to be administered after confirming adequate face mask ventilation without a solid scientific validation of this principal.

ESOPHAGEAL PERFORATION FOLLOWING OROGASTRIC SUCTION CATHETER INSERTION IN AN ELDERLY PATIENT.

Esophageal rupture has been described following iatrogenic manipulation. In this report, we present an elderly lady admitted to the operative theater for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Multiple intra-operative attempts to place a flexible orogastric tube were unsuccessful because of failure to advance.

Effect of pressure support ventilation and positive end expiratory pressure on the rapid shallow breathing index in intensive care unit patients.

Objective: We compared rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) values under various ventilatory support settings prior to extubation.

Design And Setting: Prospective study in the intensive care unit at a university hospital.

Patients: Thirty six patients ready for extubation.