The ideal range for tracheal tube cuff pressures is usually taken to be between 20 to 30 cm H2 O. This is easily measured with a cuff pressure manometer and should be measured in each instance. The importanceof trache...The ideal range for tracheal tube cuff pressures is usually taken to be between 20 to 30 cm H2 O. This is easily measured with a cuff pressure manometer and should be measured in each instance. The importanceof tracheal tube cuff pressures is highlighted by the spectrum of airway complications that can occur with incorrect cuff pressures. High cuff pressures can result in complications ranging from sore throat and hoarseness to tracheal stenosis, necrosis, and even rupture. In such cases, the postulated causative factor is diminished blood flow to tracheal mucosa due to excessive cuff pressure on the tracheal wall. This hypothesized ischemic injury then produces healing fibrosis months or even years later. On the other hand, cuff pressures that are too low place the patient at risk for aspiration of gastric contents and consequently, aspiration pneumonitis and pneumonia. This is why the authors recommend that cuff pressures be measured following all intubations.展开更多
Airway complications after lung transplantation remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Many of these occur at the anastomotic sites, which are susceptible due to poor collateral circulation. Of the pos...Airway complications after lung transplantation remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Many of these occur at the anastomotic sites, which are susceptible due to poor collateral circulation. Of the possible complications, bronchial dehiscence is particularly formidable. These cases have been successfully treated bronchoscopically with metallic stents, which likely promote healing through granulation tissue formation. However, limited options exist in cases where the dehiscence fails to heal following stent placement. Here, we present the case report of a 65-year-old male who developed bronchial dehiscence status post bilateral lung transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis that failed to heal with simple stent placement. Eventually, the patient underwent amniotic membrane grafting with stenting as a novel therapy for non-healing bronchial dehiscence, for which we describe the anesthetic management. His anesthetic plan included inhalational induction with sevoflurane, propofol infusion for total intravenous anesthesia, rocuronium for muscle relaxation, and closed-circuit assisted ventilation. His existing tracheostomy was used as the airway for oxygenation and induction. In summary, our anesthetic plan for the lung transplant patient was effective; future amniotic membrane grafting for bronchial dehiscence through bronchoscopy may follow a similar technique. Ultimately, the choice of anesthesia in this patient population requires judicious consideration of the requirements of the procedure as well as the pathophysiology of the transplanted lung.展开更多
Perioperative visual loss(POVL) is an uncommon, but devastating complication that remains primarily associated with spine and cardiac surgery. The incidence and mechanisms of visual loss after surgery remain difficult...Perioperative visual loss(POVL) is an uncommon, but devastating complication that remains primarily associated with spine and cardiac surgery. The incidence and mechanisms of visual loss after surgery remain difficult to determine. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists Postoperative Visual Loss Registry, the most common causes of POVL in spine procedures are the two different forms of ischemic optic neuropathy: anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and posterior ischemic optic neuropathy, accounting for 89% of the cases. Retinal ischemia, cortical blindness, and posterior reversible encephalopathy are also observed, but in a small minority of cases. A recent multicenter case control study has identified risk factors associated with ischemic optic neuropathy for patients undergoing prone spinal fusion surgery. These include obesity, male sex, Wilson frame use, longer anesthetic duration, greater estimated blood loss, and decreased percent colloid administration. These risk factors are thought to contribute to the elevation of venous pressure and interstitial edema, resulting in damage to the optic nerve by compression of the vessels that feed the optic nerve, venous infarction or direct mechanical compression. This review will expand on these findings as well as the recently updated American Society of Anesthesiologists practice advisory on POVL. There are no effectivetreatment options for POVL and the diagnosis is often irreversible, so efforts must focus on prevention and risk factor modification. The role of crystalloids versus colloids and the use of α-2 agonists to decrease intraocular pressure during prone spine surgery will also be discussed as a potential preventative strategy.展开更多
文摘The ideal range for tracheal tube cuff pressures is usually taken to be between 20 to 30 cm H2 O. This is easily measured with a cuff pressure manometer and should be measured in each instance. The importanceof tracheal tube cuff pressures is highlighted by the spectrum of airway complications that can occur with incorrect cuff pressures. High cuff pressures can result in complications ranging from sore throat and hoarseness to tracheal stenosis, necrosis, and even rupture. In such cases, the postulated causative factor is diminished blood flow to tracheal mucosa due to excessive cuff pressure on the tracheal wall. This hypothesized ischemic injury then produces healing fibrosis months or even years later. On the other hand, cuff pressures that are too low place the patient at risk for aspiration of gastric contents and consequently, aspiration pneumonitis and pneumonia. This is why the authors recommend that cuff pressures be measured following all intubations.
文摘Airway complications after lung transplantation remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Many of these occur at the anastomotic sites, which are susceptible due to poor collateral circulation. Of the possible complications, bronchial dehiscence is particularly formidable. These cases have been successfully treated bronchoscopically with metallic stents, which likely promote healing through granulation tissue formation. However, limited options exist in cases where the dehiscence fails to heal following stent placement. Here, we present the case report of a 65-year-old male who developed bronchial dehiscence status post bilateral lung transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis that failed to heal with simple stent placement. Eventually, the patient underwent amniotic membrane grafting with stenting as a novel therapy for non-healing bronchial dehiscence, for which we describe the anesthetic management. His anesthetic plan included inhalational induction with sevoflurane, propofol infusion for total intravenous anesthesia, rocuronium for muscle relaxation, and closed-circuit assisted ventilation. His existing tracheostomy was used as the airway for oxygenation and induction. In summary, our anesthetic plan for the lung transplant patient was effective; future amniotic membrane grafting for bronchial dehiscence through bronchoscopy may follow a similar technique. Ultimately, the choice of anesthesia in this patient population requires judicious consideration of the requirements of the procedure as well as the pathophysiology of the transplanted lung.
文摘Perioperative visual loss(POVL) is an uncommon, but devastating complication that remains primarily associated with spine and cardiac surgery. The incidence and mechanisms of visual loss after surgery remain difficult to determine. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists Postoperative Visual Loss Registry, the most common causes of POVL in spine procedures are the two different forms of ischemic optic neuropathy: anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and posterior ischemic optic neuropathy, accounting for 89% of the cases. Retinal ischemia, cortical blindness, and posterior reversible encephalopathy are also observed, but in a small minority of cases. A recent multicenter case control study has identified risk factors associated with ischemic optic neuropathy for patients undergoing prone spinal fusion surgery. These include obesity, male sex, Wilson frame use, longer anesthetic duration, greater estimated blood loss, and decreased percent colloid administration. These risk factors are thought to contribute to the elevation of venous pressure and interstitial edema, resulting in damage to the optic nerve by compression of the vessels that feed the optic nerve, venous infarction or direct mechanical compression. This review will expand on these findings as well as the recently updated American Society of Anesthesiologists practice advisory on POVL. There are no effectivetreatment options for POVL and the diagnosis is often irreversible, so efforts must focus on prevention and risk factor modification. The role of crystalloids versus colloids and the use of α-2 agonists to decrease intraocular pressure during prone spine surgery will also be discussed as a potential preventative strategy.