Analysis of orotracheal intubation techniques in the intensive care unit.

Background: The development of specialised airway tools help laryngoscopists secure the airway in intensive care units. The use of videolaryngoscopy has been suggested in simulation studies, and human studies suggest that this advanced airway tool may have an advantage for difficult airways; however, less is known about its use in the ICU.

Objective: To compare orotracheal intubation before and after acquisition of an ICU-dedicated GlideScope (GS), and to determine the incidence of complications with orotracheal intubation in an ICU.

Dexmedetomidine: clinical application as an adjunct for intravenous regional anesthesia.

The selective α-2 adrenoceptor agonist, dexmedetomidine, has been shown to be a useful, safe adjunct in perioperative medicine. Intravenous regional anesthesia is one of the simplest forms of regional anesthesia and has a high degree of success. However, intravenous regional anesthesia is limited by the development of tourniquet pain and its inability to provide postoperative analgesia.

Advances in perioperative pain management: use of medications with dual analgesic mechanisms, tramadol & tapentadol.

Recovery from ambulatory surgical procedures can be limited by postoperative pain. Inadequate analgesia may delay or prevent patient discharge and can result in readmission. More frequently, postoperative pain produces discomfort and interrupts sleep, contributing to postoperative fatigue.

Update on neonatal resuscitation.

Although only 10% of neonates born in the United States require resuscitation, availability of well trained personnel skilled in neonatal resuscitation can result in a significant decline in neonatal morbidity and mortality. One important aspect of performing a successful resuscitation is having a good understanding of the complex dynamics of fetal/neonatal physiology and the adaptations that must be made to transition to extrauterine life. This knowledge will allow one to better serve the resuscitative needs of the neonate.

Dexmedetomidine: a review of clinical applications.

Purpose Of Review: The present review serves as an overview update in the diverse uses of the sedative dexmedetomidine.

Recent Findings: Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha2 adrenoreceptor agonist that has been described as a useful, safe adjunct in many clinical applications. This paper reviews current clinical uses, mechanism of action, and side effects of dexmedetomidine.

Electrocautery-induced asystole in a scoliosis patient with a pacemaker.

Pediatric heart condition management may include a variety of implanted cardiac devices. Monopolar electrocautery (Bovie) produces significant electromagnetic interference to these devices. This interference can alter the function of a cardiac generator resulting in a variety of complications including impaired cardiac output and asystole.

Suspected malignant hyperthermia in a child with laminin alpha2 (merosin) deficiency in the absence of a triggering agent.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an inherited disorder of the skeletal muscles that can be triggered by many anesthetic agents. MH has different presentations and manifestations that makes it difficult to diagnose. Patients with laminin alpha2 deficiency have never been reported to be susceptible to MH.

Does dexmedetomidine prevent emergence delirium in children after sevoflurane-based general anesthesia?

Background: Emergence agitation or delirium (ED) is a frequent phenomenon in children recovering from general anesthesia (GA). Dexmedetomidine, an alpha2 receptor agonist, has analgesic and sedative properties that might be helpful in the management of ED. We studied the effects of a continuous perioperative infusion of 0.

Management of the difficult pediatric airway with Shikani Optical Stylet.

The airways of children with many craniofacial and mandibulofacial malformations often present unique challenges to the anesthesiologists. We report the application of Shikani Optical Stylet (SOS) in facilitating the tracheal intubation of four children with history of difficult airway management. The SOS combines the benefits of the lightwand and fiberoptic bronchoscope.

Dexmedetomidine as the primary sedative agent for brain radiation therapy in a 21-month old child.

Dexmedetomidine (Precedex is an alpha2 adrenoceptor agonist which is gaining popularity as a sedative and anesthetic adjuvant. In this case report, dexmedetomidine was used safely and easily to provide sedation for 12 radiation-therapy sessions in a pediatric patient. It provided smooth induction and fast recovery with minimal respiratory depression.