Arytenoid cartilage dislocation caused by a laryngeal mask airway treated with chemical splinting

Correlation and variation of cuff inflating volumes and pressures in different adult models of laryngeal mask: a prospective randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Hyperinflation of laryngeal mask cuffs may carry the risk of airway complications. The manufacturer recommends inflating cuff until the intracuff pressure reaches 60 cmH2O, or inflate with the volume of air to not exceed the maximum recommended volume. We prospectively assessed the correlation of cuff inflating volumes and pressures, and the appropriated the cuff inflating volumes to generate an intracuff pressure of 60 cmH2O in the adult laryngeal masks from different manufacturers.

METHODS

Two groups of 80 patients requiring laryngeal mask size 3 and 4 during general anesthesia were randomized into 4 subgroups for each size of the laryngeal mask: Soft Seal® (Portex®), AuraOnce™ (Ambu®), LMA-Classic™ (Teleflex®) and LMA-ProSeal™ (Teleflex®). After insertion, the cuff was inflated with 5-ml increments of air up to the maximum recommended volume. After each 5-ml intracuff pressure was measured, the volume of air that generated the intracuff pressure of 60 cmH2O was recorded.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) volume of air required to achieve the intracuff pressure of 60 cmH2O in Soft Seal®, AuraOnce™, LMA-Classic™, LMA-ProSeal™ laryngeal mask size 3 were 11.80(1.88), 9.20(1.88), 8.95(1.50) and 13.50(2.48) ml, respectively, and these volumes in laryngeal mask size 4 were 14.45(4.12), 12.55(1.85), 11.30(1.95) and 18.20(3.47) ml, respectively. The maximum recommended volume resulted in high intracuff pressures (> 60 cmH2O) in all laryngeal mask types and sizes studied.

CONCLUSION

Pressure-volume curves of adult laryngeal masks are all in sigmoidal shape. Cuff designs and materials can effect pressure and volume correlation. Approximately half of the maximum recommended volume is required to achieve the intracuff pressure of 60 cmH2O except LMA-ProSeal™ which required two-thirds of the maximum recommended volume.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Thai Clinical Trials Registry, TCTR20150602001, May 28, 2015.

Clinical application of limiting laryngeal mask airway cuff pressures utilizing inflating syringe intrinsic recoil

BACKGROUND

Overinflation of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) cuff may cause many of the complications associated with the use of the LMA. There is no clinically acceptable (cost effective and practical) method to ensure cuff pressure is maintained below the manufacturer's recommended maximum value of 60 cm H2O (44 mmHg). We studied the use of the intrinsic recoil of the LMA inflating syringe as an effective and practical way to limit cuff pressures at or below the manufacturer's recommended values.

METHODS

We enrolled 332 patients into three separate groups: LMAs inserted and inflated per standard practice at the institution with only manual palpation of the pilot balloon; LMA cuff pressures measured by a pressure transducer and reduced to < 60 cm H2O (44 mmHg); and LMA intra-cuff pressure managed by the intrinsic recoil of the syringe.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the pressure transducer group and the syringe recoil group for initial cuff pressure or cuff pressure 1 hour after surgery. Both the syringe recoil group and pressure transducer group were less likely than the standard practice group to have sore throat and dysphagia 1 hour after surgery. These differences remained 24 hours after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Syringe recoil provides an efficient and reproducible method similar to manometry in preventing overinflation of the LMA cuff and decreasing the incidence of postoperative laryngopharyngeal complications.

Repetitive postoperative extubation failure and cardiac arrest due to laryngomalacia after general anesthesia in an elderly patient: a case report

The authors report a case involving an elderly patient who experienced repetitive perioperative cardiac arrest caused by laryngomalacia. The patient underwent surgery under general anesthesia; however, 2 h after initial extubation, he experienced cardiopulmonary arrest. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved by immediate resuscitation. Four hours later, a second extubation was performed without any neurological complications. However, 2 h later, he experienced cardiopulmonary arrest again. Immediately after the third extubation, 12 h after the second cardiopulmonary arrest, fiberoptic laryngoscopy revealed laryngomalacia. His respiratory condition stabilized after emergent tracheostomy. Laryngomalacia should be considered even in adult cases when signs of upper airway obstruction manifest after extubation.

Arytenoid cartilage dislocation after reversed total shoulder replacement surgery in the beach chair position: a case report

Arytenoid cartilage dislocation is not a common complication, but its delayed diagnosis reduces the therapeutic effect of treatment. A male patient underwent reversed total shoulder replacement surgery in the beach chair position under general anesthesia. The patient experienced postoperative hoarseness, and it was revealed that he had right arytenoid dislocation. Voice restoration was accomplished with closed reduction. We discussed changes in patient position during the operation and how they may contribute to the arytenoid dislocation. Flexion and a slight rotation of the neck during the operation can lead to an increase in intracuff pressure of the endotracheal tube. It is necessary to check neck position and monitor intracuff pressure in patients undergoing operations in the beach chair position. Also, the anesthesiologist should suspect arytenoid dislocation in the case of persistent hoarseness after surgery in the beach chair position.

Complications Associated with the Use of Supraglottic Airway Devices in Perioperative Medicine

Supraglottic airway devices are routinely used for airway maintenance in elective surgical procedures where aspiration is not a significant risk and also as rescue devices in difficult airway management. Some devices now have features mitigating risk of aspiration, such as drain tubes or compartments to manage regurgitated content. Despite this, the use of these device may be associated with various complications including aspiration. This review highlights the types and incidence of these complications. They include regurgitation and aspiration of gastric contents, compression of vascular structures, trauma, and nerve injury. The incidence of such complications is quite low, but as some carry with them a significant degree of morbidity the need to follow manufacturers' advice is underlined. The incidence of gastric content aspiration associated with the devices is estimated to be as low as 0.02% with perioperative regurgitation being significantly higher but underreported. Other serious, but extremely rare, complications include pharyngeal rupture, pneumomediastinum, mediastinitis, or arytenoid dislocation. Mild short-lasting adverse effects of the devices have significantly higher incidence than serious complications and involve postoperative sore throat, dysphagia, pain on swallowing, or hoarseness. Devices may have deleterious effect on cervical mucosa or vasculature depending on their cuff volume and pressure.

Nomenclature proposal to describe vocal fold motion impairment

The terms used to describe vocal fold motion impairment are confusing and not standardized. This results in a failure to communicate accurately and to major limitations of interpreting research studies involving vocal fold impairment. We propose standard nomenclature for reporting vocal fold impairment. Overarching terms of vocal fold immobility and hypomobility are rigorously defined. This includes assessment techniques and inclusion and exclusion criteria for determining vocal fold immobility and hypomobility. In addition, criteria for use of the following terms have been outlined in detail: vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold paresis, vocal fold immobility/hypomobility associated with mechanical impairment of the crico-arytenoid joint and vocal fold immobility/hypomobility related to laryngeal malignant disease. This represents the first rigorously defined vocal fold motion impairment nomenclature system. This provides detailed definitions to the terms vocal fold paralysis and vocal fold paresis.