Use of point-of-care ultrasound to assess esophageal insufflation during bag mask ventilation: A case report. Respir Med Case Rep. 2019;28:100928. [PMID: 31516820 PMCID: PMC6733966 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2019.100928]

Ultrasound-guided esophageal compression during mask ventilation in small children: a prospective observational study

Background

The use of cricoid compression to prevent insufflation remains controversial, and its use in children is limited. This study aimed to examine the effect of real-time ultrasound-guided esophageal compression on the prevention of gastric insufflation.

Method

This prospective observational study was conducted with fifty children aged < 2 years undergoing general anesthesia. Patients were excluded if they were at an increased risk for gastric regurgitation or pulmonary aspiration. Following anesthetic induction under spontaneous breathing, ultrasound-guided esophageal compression was performed during pressure-controlled face-mask ventilation using a gradual increase in peak inspiratory pressure from 10 to 24 cm H₂O to determine the pressure at which gastric insufflation occurred. The primary outcome was the incidence of gastric insufflation during anesthetic induction with variable peak inspiratory pressure after real-time ultrasound-guided esophageal compression was applied.

Results

Data from a total of 42 patients were analyzed. Gastric insufflation was observed in 2 (4.7%) patients. All patients except one had their esophagus on the left side of the trachea. Applying ultrasound-guided esophageal compression did not affect the percentage of glottic opening scores (P = 0.220).

Conclusions

The use of real-time ultrasound-guided esophageal compression pressure can aid preventing gastric insufflation during face-mask ventilation in children less than 2 years old.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04645043.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12871-022-01803-5.

7: Comparison of real-time cervical oesophageal ultrasonography and gastric antral ultrasonography to detect gastric insufflation during face-mask ventilation under general anaesthesia-Aprospective observational study

Background and Aims:

Face mask ventilation (FMV) is live saving. It is paramount to maintain oxygenation and ventilation. But FMV is avoided in rapid sequence induction( RSI), for fear of gastric insufflation. Gastric insufflation predisposes the patient to pulmonary aspiration. But the current methods available to detect gastric insufflation are not reliable markers. These include epigastric auscultation for insufflated gases, insertion of nasogastric tube to aspirate and measure the gases, and gastric antral cross-sectional area (CSA) measurement. Each of the above have their own limitations. So, reliable markers denoting gastric insufflation can prevent pulmonary aspiration and can enable “safe” FMV. Real-time transcutaneous ultrasonography(USG) of cervical oesophagus during FMV was done to look for comet-tail artefacts (acoustic shadows created by entrainment of gases into digestive tract)The aim of this study was to compare real-time upper cervical USG with gastric antral USG to detect gastric insufflation during FMV under general anaesthesia.

Methods:

Results:

Ninety patients were recruited. One case of accidental intubation was withdrawn. Remaining 89 patients were analysed. There was an increased incidence of comet-tail artefacts in the oesophagus when compared to gastric antrum. This difference was statistically significant as analysed by Mcnemar test. The lowest peak airway pressure at which comet-tail artefacts appeared in oesophagus was 21.47 (SD-2.86) cm H20.

Conclusion:

Cervical oesophageal USG is better than gastric antral USG in identifying insufflation of gas into digestive tract. Limiting the airway pressures to < 20 cm H₂O would be safer in providing safe FMV without cricoid pressure. Real-time USG monitoring of oesophagus in the neck for comet-tail artefacts is useful in early identification of early gastrooesophageal insufflation.

Aspiration pneumonia during general anesthesia induction after esophagectomy: A case report

BACKGROUND

Esophageal cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system. At present, surgery is the most important treatment strategy. After esophagectomy and gastric esophagoplasty, the patients are prone to regurgitation. However, these patients currently do not receive much attention, especially from anesthesiologists.

CASE SUMMARY

A 55-year-old woman was scheduled for right lower lung lobectomy. The patient had undergone radical surgery for esophageal cancer under general anesthesia 6 mo prior. Although the patient had fasted for > 17 h, unexpected aspiration still occurred during induction of general anesthesia. Throughout the operation, oxygen saturation was 98%-100%, but the airway pressure was high (35 cmH₂O at double lung ventilation). The patient was sent to the intensive care unit after surgery. Bedside chest radiography was performed, which showed exudative lesions in both lungs compared with the preoperative image. After surgery, antibiotics were given to prevent lung infection. On day 2 in the intensive care unit, the patient was extubated and discharged on postoperative day 7 without complications related to aspiration pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

After esophagectomy, patients are prone to regurgitation. We recommend nasogastric tube placement followed by rapid sequence induction or conscious intubation.