Ultrasound-guided sphenopalatine ganglion block for effective analgesia during awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation: A case report

BACKGROUND Awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation(AFNI)is the preferred airway ma-nagement strategy for patients with difficult airways.However,this procedure can cause significant physical and psychological distress.This case report explores the application of a sphenopalatine ganglion(SPG)block as an alternative anal-gesic modality to mitigate the discomfort associated with AFNI.CASE SUMMARY A 63-year-old female with a history of right maxillary osteosarcoma underwent craniotomy for a suspected malignant brain lesion.The patient’s medical history included prior surgery,chemotherapy,and radiation therapy,resulting in signi-ficant jaw impairment and limited neck mobility.Considering the anticipated air-way challenges,AFNI was planned.A SPG block was performed under real-time ultrasound guidance,providing effective analgesia during nasotracheal intuba-tion.CONCLUSION The SPG block represents a promising analgesic approach in AFNI,offering po-tential benefits in alleviating pain involving the nasal and nasopharyngeal regions as well as improving patient cooperation.

Awake laparoscopic cholecystectomy:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)is one of the most widely practiced surgical procedures in abdominal surgery.Patients undergo LC during general anaesthesia;however,in recent years,several studies have suggested the ability to perform LC in patients who are awake.We report a case of awake LC and a literature review.CASE SUMMARY A 69-year-old patient with severe pulmonary disease affected by cholelithiasis was scheduled for LC under regional anaesthesia.We first performed peridural anaesthesia at the T8-T9 level and then spinal anaesthesia at the T12-L1 level.The procedure was managed in total comfort for both the patient and the surgeon.The intra-abdominal pressure was 8 mmHg.The patient remained stable throughout the procedure,and the postoperative course was uneventful.CONCLUSION Evidence has warranted the safe use of spinal and epidural anaesthesia,with minimal side effects easily managed with medications.Regional anaesthesia in selected patients may provide some advantages over general anaesthesia,such as no airway manipulation,maintenance of spontaneous breathing,effective postoperative analgesia,less nausea and vomiting,and early recovery.However,this technique for LC is not widely used in Europe;this is the first case reported in Italy in the literature.Regional anaesthesia is feasible and safe in performing some types of laparoscopic procedures.Further studies should be carried out to introduce this type of anaesthesia in routine clinical practice.

Anesthesia management in a pediatric patient with complicatedly difficult airway:A case report

BACKGROUND Reports on perioperative anesthesia management in pediatric patients with difficult airways are scarce.In addition to relatively more difficulties in the technique of endotracheal intubation,the time for manipulation is restricted compared to adults.Securing the airways safely and avoiding the occurrence of hypoxemia in these patients are of significance.CASE SUMMARY A 9-year-old boy with spastic cerebral palsy,severe malnutrition,thoracic scoliosis,thoracic and airway malformation,laryngomalacia,pneumonia,and epilepsy faced the risk of anesthesia during palliative surgery.After a thorough preoperative evaluation,a detailed scheme for anesthesia and a series of intu-bation tools were prepared by a team of anesthesiologists.Awake fiberoptic intubation is the widely accepted strategy for patients with anticipated difficult airways.Given the age and medical condition of the patient,we kept him sedated with spontaneous breathing during endotracheal intubation.The endotracheal intubation was completed on the second attempt after the failure of the first effort.Fortunately,the surgery was successful without postoperative complications.CONCLUSION Dealing with difficult airways in the pediatric population,proper sedation allows time to intubate without interrupting spontaneous breathing.The appropriate endotracheal intubation method based on the patient’s unique characteristics is the key factor in successful management of these rare cases.

Awake robotic liver surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND In recent years,minimally invasive liver resection has become a standard of care for liver tumors.Considering the need to treat increasingly fragile patients,general anesthesia is sometimes avoided due to respiratory complications.Therefore,surgical treatment with curative intent is abandoned in favor of a less invasive and less radical approach.Epidural anesthesia has been shown to reduce respiratory complications,especially in elderly patients with pre-existing lung disease.CASE SUMMARY A 77-year-old man with hepatitis-C-virus-related chronic liver disease underwent robotic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.The patient was suffering from hypertension,diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program score for developing pneumonia was 9.2%.We planned a combined spinal–epidural anesthesia with conscious sedation to avoid general anesthesia.No modification of the standard surgical technique was necessary.Hemodynamics were stable and bleeding was minimal.The postoperative course was uneventful.CONCLUSION Robotic surgery in locoregional anesthesia with conscious sedation could be considered a safe and suitable approach in specialized centers and in selected patients.

Recent advances in uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Thanks to the recent improvements in video-assisted thoracoscopic techniques （VATS） and anesthetic procedures, a great deal of complex lung resections can be performed avoiding open surgery. The experience gained through VATS techniques, enhancement of the surgical instruments ,improvement of high definition cameras and avoidance of intubated general anesthesia have been the greatest advances to minimize the trauma to the patient. Uniportal VATS for major resections has become a revolution in the treatment of lung pathologies since initially described 4 years ago. The huge number of surgical videos posted on specialized websites, live surgery events and experimental courses has contributed to the rapid learning of uniportal major thoracoscopic surgery during the last years. The future of the thoracic surgery is based on evolution of surgical procedures and anesthetic techniques to try to reduce the trauma to the patient. Further development of new technologies probably will focus on sealing devices for all vessels and fissure, refined staplers and instruments, improvements in 3D systems or wireless cameras, and robotic surgery. As thoracoscopic techniques continue to evolve exponentially, we can see the emergence of new approaches in the anesthetical and the perioperative management of these patients. Advances in anesthesia include lobectomies performed without the employment of general anesthesia, through maintaining spontaneous ventilation, and with minimally sedated patients. Uniportal VATS resections under spontaneous ventilation probably represent the least invasive approach to operate lung cancer.

Awake thoracoscopic surgery under epidural anesthesia: is it really safe?

Thoracoscopic surgeries usually require single-lung ventilation under general anesthesia because of the need to obtain a sufficient working space.In patients with impaired pulmonary function,if the patient can undergo general anesthesia,a more selected collapse of the lung is considered to be beneficial for intraoperative oxygenation.The selective bronchial blockade of the lobe to be resected has been reported by several investigators （1-3）.Mukaida and coworkers first reported thoracoscopic surgery for pnenmothorax under local and epidural anesthesia in 1998 in high-risk patients contraindicated for general anesthesia （4）.

Awake craniotomy for auditory brainstem implant in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2:Four case reports

BACKGROUND The auditory brainstem implant(ABI)is a significant treatment to restore hearing sensations for neurofibromatosis type 2(NF2)patients.However,there is no ideal method in assisting the placement of ABIs.In this case series,intraoperative cochlear nucleus mapping was performed in awake craniotomy to help guide the placement of the electrode array.CASE SUMMARY We applied the asleep-awake-asleep technique for awake craniotomy and hearing test via the retrosigmoid approach for acoustic neuroma resections and ABIs,using mechanical ventilation with a laryngeal mask during the asleep phases,utilizing a ropivacaine-based regional anesthesia,and sevoflurane combined with propofol/remifentanil as the sedative/analgesic agents in four NF2 patients.ABI electrode arrays were placed in the awake phase with successful intraoperative hearing tests in three patients.There was one uncooperative patient whose awake hearing test needed to be aborted.In all cases,tumor resection and ABI were performed safely.Satisfactory electrode effectiveness was achieved in awake ABI placement.CONCLUSION This case series suggests that awake craniotomy with an intraoperative hearing test for ABI placement is safe and well tolerated.Awake craniotomy is beneficial for improving the accuracy of ABI electrode placement and meanwhile reduces non-auditory side effects.

Awake fiberoptic intubation and use of bronchial blockers in ankylosing spondylitis patients

BACKGROUND Patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS)combined with severe cervical fusion deformity have difficult airways.Awake fiberoptic intubation is the standard treatment for such patients.Alleviating anxiety and discomfort during intubation while maintaining airway patency and adequate ventilation is a major challenge for anesthesiologists.Bronchial blockers(BBs)have significant advantages over double-lumen tubes in these patients requiring one-lung ventilation.AIM To evaluate effective drugs and their optimal dosage for awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation in patients with AS and to assess the pulmonary isolation effect of one-lung ventilation with a BB.METHODS We studied 12 AS patients(11 men and one woman)with lung or esophageal cancer who underwent thoracotomy with a BB.Preoperative airway evaluation found that all patients had a difficult airway.All patients received an intramuscular injection of penehyclidine hydrochloride(0.01 mg/kg)before anesthesia.In the operating room,dexmedetomidine(0.5μg/kg)was infused intravenously for 10 min,with 2%lidocaine for airway surface anesthesia,and a 3%ephedrine cotton swab was used to contract the nasal mucosa vessels.Before tracheal intubation,fentanyl(1μg/kg)and midazolam(0.02 mg/kg)were administered intravenously.Awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation was performed in the semi-reclining position.Intravenous anesthesia was administered immediately after successful intubation,and a BB was inserted laterally.The pre-intubation preparation time,intubation time,facial grimace score,airway responsiveness score during the fiberoptic introduction,time of end tracheal catheter entry into the nostril,and lung collapse and surgical field score were measured.Systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),and heart rate(HR)were recorded while entering the operation room(T1),before intubation(T2),immediately after intubation(T3),2 min after intubation(T4),and 10 min after intubation(T5).After surgery,all patients were followed for adverse reactions such as epistaxis,sore throat,hoarseness,and dysphagia.RESULTS All patients had a history of AS(20.4±9.6 years).They had a Willson's score of 5 or above,grade III or IV Mallampati tests,an inter-incisor distance of 2.9±0.3 cm,and a thyromental(T-M)distance of 4.8±0.7 cm.The average pre-intubation preparation time was 20.4±3.4 min,intubation time was 2.6±0.4 min,facial grimace score was 1.7±0.7,airway responsiveness score was 1.1±0.7,and pulmonary collapse and surgical exposure score was 1.2±0.4.The SBP,DBP,and HR at T5 were significantly lower than those at T1-T4(P<0.05).While the values at T1 were not significantly different from those at T2-T4(P>0.05),they were significantly different from those at T5(P<0.05).Seven patients had minor epistaxis during endotracheal intubation,two were followed 24 h after surgery with a mild sore throat,and two had hoarseness without dysphagia.CONCLUSION Patients with AS combined with severe cervical and thoracic kyphosis should be intubated using fiberoptic bronchoscopy under conscious sedation and topical anesthesia.Proper doses of penehyclidine hydrochloride,dexmedetomidine,fentanyl,and midazolam,combined with 2%lidocaine,administered prior to intubation,can provide satisfactory conditions for tracheal intubation while maintaining the comfort and safety of patients.BBs are safe and effective for onelung ventilation in such patients during thoracotomy.

Microdialysis in awake macaque monkeys for central nervous system pharmacokinetics

Background: The brain bioavailability of novel small molecules developed to address central nervous system disease is classically documented through ex vivo or in vivo analyses conducted in rodent models. Data acquired in rodent models are, however,not easily transferrable to human as the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics profiles of the species are quite different.Methods: Using drugs selected for their differential transport across the blood-brain barrier, we here demonstrate the feasibility of brain microdialysis in normal vigil macaque monkey by measuring brain extracellular fluid bioavailability of carbamazepine, digoxin, oxycodone, and quinidine.Results: All drugs, but digoxin, were found in dialysate samples. Drugs that are substrate of P-glycoprotein show a difference of bioavailability or brain pharmacokinetic parameters between rodents and primates.Conclusion: Data suggest that brain microdialysis in vigil macaque monkey, the species of choice for classic pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics studies could help predicting human brain bioavailability of a small molecule depending on the protein involved in the efflux transport from the brain.

WASO: Why Does It Increase with Age?

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder, especially for seniors. WASO (time awake after sleep onset), a component of insomnia, tends to increase with age. There are also many variations in WASO for seniors. To better understand the nature of insomnia, an equation was developed to predict WASO using maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) as a measure of fitness associated with aerobic exercise. Predictions from the equation matched measured values with an R2 = 0.98. The results were highly significant (p < 0.001). A second equation was used to predict VO2max as a function of age and relative fitness (a measure of aerobic fitness independent of age). The two equations were combined to predict WASO as a function of age, gender, and relative fitness. Based on these results, it appears that aerobic exercise to improve relative fitness can be used to reduce WASO. The WASO model explains the numerous reports of reduced WASO associated with long-term exercise programs. The model also explains why WASO increases with age and why high WASO values associate with early death.

Change in management of predicted difficult airways following introduction of video laryngoscopes

AIM To determine if video laryngoscopy(VL) has significantly impacted management of difficult airways by decreasing the rate of awake fiberoptic intubation(FOI). METHODS Anesthetic records of 3723 patients who underwent general anesthesia at Rush University Medical Center were reviewed over a 2-mo period prior to the introduction of VLs in 2009("pre-VL" group) and over the same 2-mo period after the introduction of VLs in 2012("postVL" group). Patient records with predicted difficult air-ways based on pre-operative airway examination were analyzed. The primary outcome was rate of awake FOI.RESULTS To control for possible factors that may influence the FOI rate, a logistic regression was performed with these factors included as covariates. The rate of awake FOI was 13.1% in pre-VL group compared to 9.0% in post-VL group. Although this decrease was not statistically significant individually(P = 0.1768), it showed a trend toward significance when covariates were accounted for(P = 0.0910). Several factors predicting a higherlikelihood of awake FOI were found to be statistically significant: Morbid obesity(larger BMI P = 0.0154, OR = 1.5 per 10 point BMI increase), male gender(P = 0.0026, OR = 3.0) and a higher el-Ganzouri airway score(P = 0.0007, OR = 1.5). Although VLs were seen to be used to intubate 51% of predicted difficult airways, the rate of awake FOI has not significantly changed.CONCLUSION Although VL may continue to grow in popularity, the most difficult airways are still managed using awake FOI.

A Path to Freedom——Life of black women in The Color Purple

Alice Walker`s novel The Color Purple follows the life of Celie,who spent most of her lifetime as maid,wife and slave,struggling to overcome poverty,adversity and a marriage to an abusive husband and finally found her dignity in a period that spanned over 40 years.Celie is the representative of ordinary black women.Besides Celie,the novel portrays images of some other black women who all greatly influenced Celie and shaped her life and pursued freedom by all efforts.The novel records the trace of black women’s awakening and struggling.It reflects the black women’s position in their society and changes of their life.

跟着字母做好班主任工作（一）

A：awake（唤醒）。教育者的使命在于唤醒。B：belief（信任）。信任后进生才能走进后进生的心灵，走进后进生的心灵才能真正达到转化后进生的目的。不信任后进生，经常用怀疑的口吻盘问后进生，这种做法只能导致师生关系紧张。所以，班主任应充分信任每一位学生，反之，则达不到教育目的。

Anesthetic technique for awake artery malformation clipping with motor evoked potential and somatosensory evoked potential: A case report

BACKGROUND Awake craniotomy has been widely used for tumor resection,epilepsy surgery,deep brain stimulation,and carotid endarterectomy.The report on awake artery malformation clipping is rare,especially for anesthesia management.CASE SUMMARY A 62-year-old female diagnosed with malformation of anterior cerebral artery at the right side.We clipped the artery malformation with intraoperative neuromonitoring(IONM)in awake craniotomy.Spontaneous respiration was maintained throughout the procedure by nasopharyngeal airway during the surgery successfully.CONCLUSION The technique of monitoring anesthesia care can be performed successfully for the patient with IONM.

Awake extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for a critically ill COVID-19 patient:A case report

BACKGROUND A critically ill coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patient complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome is reported.The patient survived following treatment with awake veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO).CASE SUMMARY A 53-year-old male patient attended our hospital following a cough for 11 d and fever for 9 d.According to his computed tomography(CT)scan and real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction assay of a throat swab,nucleic acid was positive,confirming that he had COVID-19.He was subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit due to respiratory failure.The patient received antiviral drugs,a small dose of glucocorticoid,and respiratory support,including mechanical ventilation,but the treatment effect was poor.On the 28th day after admission,veno-venous ECMO and prone position ventilation(PPV)were performed,combined with awake ECMO and other comprehensive rehabilitation measures.On the 17th day of ECMO,the patient started to improve and his chest CT and lung compliance improved.ECMO was discontinued after 27 days,and mechanical ventilation was also discontinued after 9 days.The patient was then transferred to the rehabilitation department.CONCLUSION COVID-19 can damage lung tissues and cause evident inflammatory exudation,thus affecting oxygenation function.Awake ECMO,PPV,and comprehensive rehabilitation are effective in patients with critical COVID-19 and respiratory failure.

Cultivation and Management Technologies for New Banana Cultivar ‘Refen 1’(Musa Spp. ABB,Pisang Awak Subgroup)

Banana is one of the most important crops in tropical and subtropical regions of China. Fenjiao( Musa Spp. ABB,Pisang Awak subgroup) has been grown by small scale famers because of its stable market price and better sugar-acid blend. However,the traditional Fenjiao variety is susceptible to banana Fusarium wilt,has a high plant height( over 5. 0 m),and farmers lack large-scale planting techniques.Based on the traditional Fenjiao variety,we selected‘Refen 1’variety through mutagenesis technology,which has low temperature resistance,suitable to marginal soils and relatively low plant height( 3. 2-4. 0 m). This paper mainly introduces the major techniques of propagation,cultivation,and post-harvest stages of‘Refen 1’banana,including the selection of explant materials,treatment,disinfection,initial culture,nursery hardening of in vitro-produced banana plants,and transplant of tissue culture seedlings. The major points of the cultivation technology include banana plantation selection and preparation,planting methods,irrigation and fertilizer management,pruning and retaining,and prevention and control of plant diseases and insect pests.

Conscious Sedation and Awake Fiberoptic Intubation in a Patient with Difficult Mask Ventilation—A Case Report

Since maxillofacial malignancy is a common cause of facial defects and disfigurement of the face that may make fitting of a mask difficult and cause air leakage from the side, thus making mask ventilation difficult. In addition, distorted anatomy of the airway and base of the skull in such patients may cause difficult intubation (DI). We experienced a case with a huge facial defect due to maxillary carcinoma, in which difficult mask ventilation (DMV) and DI were predicted. After evaluation by three-dimensional airway computed tomography, the airway was secured with conscious sedation using dexmedetomidine, and awake fiberoptic intubation was safely performed. Three-dimensional airway computed tomography seems to be a good tool for successful intubation when DMV and DI are predicted.

A Comparative Study between Dexmedetomidine versus Fentanyl on Intubating Conditions and Side Effects during Awake Fiberoptic Nasal Intubation under Topical Anesthesia in Patients Underwent Elective Surgical Operation

Awake fiber optic intubation is the gold standard technique for management of anticipated difficult airway. In spite of availability of several sedatives, at higher doses these drugs cause respiratory depression and sensorium. This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the efficacy of Dexmedetomidine or Fentanyl for sedation during AFOI. Sixty patients, aged 20 - 40 years undergoing AFOI were made into two groups, group D Dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg, and group F Fentanyl 2 μg/kg, both drugs was diluted with 50 ml saline to be infused over 10 minutes). Demographic data, patient cough score, sedation score and post-intubation score were compared between two groups. Cough score ≤ 2 was 25 patients in group D compared with 2 patients in group F, post intubation score 1 in group D was 24 vs. 2 in group F, mean Ramsy sedation score in group D was 3 vs. 2.1 in group F, SpO2 ≥ 95% in group D was 28 vs. 5 patients in group F, insignificant rise in MAP from 93 to 96 mmhg in group D (P = 0.347), but there was significant rise from 92.3 to 118.18 (P ≤ 0.0001) in group F, there was significant decrease in HR from 77.4 to 71 (P = 0.005) vs. significant rise from 77 to 114 (P ≤ 0.0001) in group F. Thus, we can conclude that Dexmedetomidine provides better intubating condition, sedation, less respiratory depression and hemodynamic stability than fentanyl for AFOI, without adversely affecting airway.

Awake Craniotomy and Coaching

Background: The importance of monitoring cognition during awake craniotomy has been well described in previous studies. The relevance of being coached during such a procedure has received less attention and questions still remain unanswered about what factors are the most important herein. Objective: The aim of this study was to qualitatively analyze what factors were, according to our patients, important in being coaching during awake craniotomy. Methods: Twenty-six patients who underwent awake craniotomy received a questionnaire about their experiences during the procedure. The questions concerned different aspects of the pre-operative part, the operation itself and coaching aspects. Answers were qualitatively analyzed by two investigators and per question, different answer categories were made. Results: Two thirds of the 20 patients who responded to the questionnaire reported anxiety in the days before or during the operation, varying from general anxiety for being awake during surgery to anxiety for very specific aspects such as opening the skull. The constant presence of the neuropsychologist and a transparent communication during the procedure were most frequently (65% of all the answers) reported as helpful in staying calm. Conclusion: Results of this descriptive study show that patients experience different anxieties before and during an awake craniotomy and give more insight into what factors are important for patients in being coached during such an operation. This study gives directions for clinicians in improving their role as a coach.