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.

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.

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.

Airway management of angioedema patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Importance:The COVID-19 pandemic is characterized by high transmissibility from patients with prolonged minimally-or asymptomatic periods,with a particularly increased risk of spread during aerosol-generating procedures,including endotracheal intubation.Observations:All patients presenting with upper airway obstruction due to angioedema during this time should be carefully managed in a way that is safest for both patient and provider.Conclusions:For patients requiring emergent airway management during the COVID-19 pandemic,minimization of aerosols while taking the necessary precautions to protect health-care workers should are critical principles for their management.