INTRODUCTION: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, multiple guidelines have recommended videolaryngoscope (VL) for tracheal intubation. However, there is no evidence that VL reduces time to tracheal intubation, and this is important for COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure. METHODS: To simulate intubation of COVID-19 patients, we randomly assigned 28 elective surgical patients to be intubated with either McGrath™ MAC VL or direct laryngoscope (DL) by specialist anaesthetists who donned 3M™ Jupiter™ powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) and N95 masks. The primary outcome was time to intubation. RESULTS: The median time to intubation was 61 s (interquartile range [IQR] 37-63 s) and 41.5 s (IQR 37-56 s) in the VL and DL groups, respectively ( P = 0.35). The closest mean distance between the anaesthetist and patient during intubation was 21.6 ± 4.8 cm and 17.6 ± 5.3 cm in the VL and DL groups, respectively ( P = 0.045). There were no significant differences in the median intubation difficulty scale scores, proportion of successful intubations at the first laryngoscopic attempt and proportion of intubations requiring adjuncts. All the patients underwent successful intubation with no adverse event. CONCLUSION There was no significant difference in the time to intubation of elective surgical patients with either McGrath™ VL or DL by specialist anaesthetists who donned PAPR and N95 masks. The distance between the anaesthetist and patient was significantly greater with VL. When resources are limited or disrupted during a pandemic, DL could be a viable alternative to VL for specialist anaesthetists.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laryngoscopes ; Laryngoscopy ; Respiratory Protective Devices ; Video Recording

Airway management of a pediatric patient with cervical cystic hygroma can be challenging as the large neck mass may extend in the oral cavity, result in tracheal deviation, and cause possible upper airway obstruction. This is a case of a 4-year-old female admitted due to sudden enlargement of neck mass associated with dysphagia and sialorrhea. Patient was intubated under sedation while maintaining spontaneous ventilation with a pediatric flexible fiberoptic scope through a nasopharyngeal airway serving as a passage guide for ease of scoping and a protective device against trauma.
Lymphangioma, Cystic ; Airway Management ; Intubation

INTRODUCTION: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA), which is used in difficult airway maintenance conditions during emergencies, is rarely used in prolonged surgery despite its advantages over endotracheal tube (ETT). In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of intraoperative gas exchanges between second-generation LMA and ETT during prolonged laparoscopic abdominal surgery. METHODS: Prolonged surgery was defined as a surgery lasting more than 2 h. In total, 394 patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection via either second-generation LMA or ETT were retrospectively analysed. The following parameters were compared between the two groups of patients: end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide (ETCO₂), tidal volume (TV), respiratory rate (RR), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂), pH and ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fractional inspired oxygen (PFR) during surgery. In addition, the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), including pulmonary aspiration, was compared. RESULTS: The values of ETCO₂, TV, RR and PIP during pneumoperitoneum were comparable between the two groups. Although PaCO₂ at 2 h after induction was higher in patients in the LMA group (40.5 vs. 38.5 mmHg, P < 0.001), the pH and PFR values of the two groups were comparable. The incidence of PPC was similar. CONCLUSION During prolonged laparoscopic abdominal surgery, second-generation LMA facilitates adequate intraoperative gas exchange and may serve as an alternative to ETT.
Humans ; Laryngeal Masks ; Carbon Dioxide ; Retrospective Studies ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laparoscopy/adverse effects* ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Oxygen

Objective:To explore the perioperative airway management and treatment of newborns with micrognathia and laryngomalacia. Methods:From January to December 2022, a total of 6 newborns with micrognathia and laryngomalacia were included. Preoperative laryngoscopy revealed concomitant laryngomalacia. These micrognathia were diagnosed as Pierre Robin sequences. All patients had grade Ⅱ or higher symptoms of laryngeal obstruction and required oxygen therapy or non-invasive ventilatory support. All patients underwent simultaneous laryngomalacia surgery and mandibular distraction osteogenesis. The shortened aryepiglottic folds were ablated using a low-temperature plasma radiofrequency during the operation. Tracheal intubation was maintained for 3-5 days postoperatively. Polysomnography（PSG） and airway CT examination were performed before and 3 months after the surgery. Results:Among the 6 patients, 4 required oxygen therapy preoperatively and 2 required non-invasiveventilatory support. The mean age of patients was 40 days at surgery. The inferior alveolar nerve bundle was not damaged during the operation, and there were no signs of mandibular branch injury such as facial asymmetry after the surgery. Laryngomalacia presented as mixed type: type Ⅱ+ type Ⅲ. The maximum mandibular distraction distance was 20 mm, the minimum was 12 mm, and the mean was 16 mm. The posterior airway space increased from a preoperative average of 3.5 mm to a postoperative average of 9.5 mm. The AHI decreased from a mean of 5.65 to 0.85, and the lowest oxygen saturation increased from a mean of 78% to 95%. All patients were successfully extubated after the surgery, and symptoms of laryngeal obstruction such as hypoxia and feeding difficulties disappeared. Conclusion:Newborns with micrognathia and laryngomalacia have multi-planar airway obstruction. Simultaneous laryngomalacia surgery and mandibular distraction osteogenesis are safe and feasible, and can effectively alleviate symptoms of laryngeal obstruction such as hypoxia and feeding difficulties, while significantly improving the appearance of micrognathia.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant ; Micrognathism/surgery* ; Laryngomalacia/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Mandible/surgery* ; Airway Obstruction/surgery* ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laryngeal Diseases ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Oxygen ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To analyze the clinical data of laryngeal airway diseases in infants and provide reference for the standardized diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Methods:From June 2022 to August 2023, analyze the clinical data of 4 cases of children with laryngeal airway diseases recently admitted to Department of Otolaryngology, Fuzhou Children's Hospital of Fujian Province, and summarize the experience and lessons of diagnosis and treatment by consulting relevant literature. Results:Three cases had symptoms such as laryngeal wheezing, dyspnea, backward growth and development, etc. After electronic laryngoscopy, the first case was diagnosed with laryngeal softening （severe, type Ⅱ）, and the angular incision was performed. While cases 2, 3 diagnosed with case 2 and 3 were diagnosed with laryngeal cyst and underwent laryngeal cyst resection. All three cases underwent low-temperature plasma surgery under visual laryngoscope, and the symptoms were relieved after operation. Case 4 was laryngeal wheezing and dyspnea after extubation under general anesthesia. The electronic laryngoscopy showeded early stage of globetic stenosis, and endoscopic pseudomembrane clamping was performed, and the postoperative symptoms were relieved. Conclusion:Infants and young children with laryngeal airway diseases should pay attention to the early symptoms and be diagnosed by electronic laryngoscopy as soon as possible. With good curative effect and few complications, low-temperature plasma surgery under visual laryngoscope is recommended. The formation of pseudomembrane under the gluteal caused by tracheal intubation causes rapid onset and rapid development. The pseudomembrane extraction by clamping is convenient and fast, with good curative effect.
Infant ; Child ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Respiratory Sounds/etiology* ; Larynx ; Laryngeal Diseases/surgery* ; Laryngoscopy ; Intubation, Intratracheal/adverse effects* ; Dyspnea/surgery* ; Cysts/surgery*

Humans ; Child ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Airway Extubation ; Airway Obstruction/prevention & control* ; Intubation, Intratracheal/adverse effects*

Objective To reveal the current situation of palliative care for patients who died in Peking Union Medical College Hospital,so as to guide the practice of palliative care for patients in terminal stage. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients who died in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1,2019 to December 31,2019.The general clinical data of the patients,whether they received palliative care,and the treatment details including invasive rescue measures,symptom controlling,and psychological,social,and spiritual care status before dying were collected for descriptive analysis. Results A total of 244 inpatients died in 2019,including 135 males and 109 females,with an average age of (65.9±16.4) years (1 day to 105 years).Among the 244 patients,112 (45.9%) died of neoplastic diseases and 132 (54.1%) died of non-neoplastic diseases.Sixty-one (25.0%) patients received palliative care before death,and they were mainly distributed in internal medicine departments such as nephrology (100.0%),gastroenterology (80.0%),and geriatrics (72.7%).Twenty-nine patients received sound palliative care,with all symptoms under control and no invasive treatment before death,and twenty-six patients received psychological,social,and spiritual care.Compared with the patients who were not exposed to the concept of palliative care,the patients who received palliative care showed decreased probabilities of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (0 vs 20.2%;χ²=13.009,P<0.001),tracheal intubation (3.3% vs 48.6%;χ²=38.327,P<0.001),and invasive mechanical ventilation (4.9% vs 47.5%;χ²=33.895,P<0.001) and an increased probability of psychological,social,and spiritual care (54.1% vs 2.4%;χ²=91.486,P<0.001). Conclusion The concept of palliative care has a positive impact on the death of end-stage patients.Palliative care services can increase the probability of end-stage patients receiving psychological,social,and spiritual care and reduce the use of invasive treatment.
Female ; Male ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Palliative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Hospitals ; Intubation, Intratracheal

Neonates born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) may develop complications including meconium aspiration syndrome, persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn and death. The approach to the resuscitation of these neonates has significantly evolved for the past few decades. Initially, under direct visualization technique, neonates with MSAF were commonly suctioned below the vocal cords soon after delivery. Since 2015, Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP^®) of the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended against "routine" endotracheal suctioning of non-vigorous neonates with MSAF but favored immediate resuscitation with positive pressure ventilation via face-mask bagging. However, the China neonatal resuscitation 2021 guidelines continue to recommend routine endotracheal suctioning of non-vigorous neonates born with MSAF at birth. This review article discusses the differences and the rationales in the approach in the resuscitation of neonates with MSAF between Chinese and American NRP^® guidelines over the past 60 years.
Female ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Child ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome/therapy* ; Meconium ; Resuscitation ; Amniotic Fluid ; Intubation, Intratracheal/methods* ; Infant, Newborn, Diseases ; China

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) baseline levels before endotracheal intubation on the time of expiratory oxygen concentration (EtO₂) reaching the standard in emergency patients with the EtO₂ as the monitoring index. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted. The clinical data of patients receiving endotracheal intubation in the emergency department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1 to November 1 in 2021 were enrolled. In order to avoid interference with the final result due to inadequate ventilation caused by non-standard operation or air leakage, the process of the continuous mechanical ventilation after FiO₂ was adjusted to pure oxygen in patients who had been intubated was selected to simulate the process of mask ventilation under pure oxygen before intubation. Combined with the electronic medical record and the ventilator record, the changes of the time required to reach 0.90 of EtO₂ (that was, the time required to reach the standard of EtO₂) and the respiratory cycle required to reach the standard after adjusting FiO₂ to pure oxygen under different baseline levels of FiO₂ were analyzed. RESULTS: 113 EtO₂ assay records were collected from 42 patients. Among them, 2 patients had only one EtO₂ record due to the FiO₂ baseline level of 0.80, while the rest had two or more records of EtO₂ reaching time and respiratory cycle corresponding to different FiO₂ baseline level. Among the 42 patients, most of them were male (59.5%), elderly [median age was 62 (40, 70) years old] patients with respiratory diseases (40.5%). There were significant differences in lung function among different patients, but the majority of patients with normal function [oxygenation index (PaO₂/FiO₂) > 300 mmHg (1 mmHg ≈ 0.133 kPa), 38.0%]. In the setting of ventilator parameters, combined with the slightly lower arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide of patients [33 (28, 37) mmHg], mild hyperventilation phenomenon was considered to be widespread. With the increased in FiO₂ baseline level, the time of EtO₂ reaching standard and the number of respiratory cycles showed a gradually decreasing trend. When the FiO₂ baseline level was 0.35, the time of EtO₂ reaching the standard was the longest [79 (52, 87) s], and the corresponding median respiratory cycle was 22 (16, 26) cycles. When the FiO₂ baseline level was increased from 0.35 to 0.80, the median time of EtO₂ reaching the standard was shortened from 79 (52, 78) s to 30 (21, 44) s, and the median respiratory cycle was also reduced from 22 (16, 26) cycles to 10 (8, 13) cycles, with statistically significant differences (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The higher the FiO₂ baseline level of the mask ventilation in front of the endotracheal intubation in emergency patients, the shorter the time for EtO₂ reaching the standard, and the shorter the mask ventilation time.
Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Respiration ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Arteries ; Blood Gas Analysis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and infection regularity of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients undergoing tracheal intubation and to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of VAP infection in the future. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to collect the microbial data of airway secretion cultures from 72 patients with endotracheal intubation admitted to the emergency ward of Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital from May 2020 to February 2021, and the species of microorganisms and intubation time were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Among 72 patients with endotracheal intubation, males were more than females (58.33% vs. 41.67%); Patients over 60 years old accounted for 90.28%; pneumonia was the main primary disease, accounting for 58.33%. Pathogenic tests showed that: (1) 72 patients were infected with Acinetobacter baumannii (AB), Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) 48 hours after intubation, 51.39% (37/72), 27.78% (20/72), and 26.39% (19/72), respectively. The infection rate of AB was significantly higher than that of KP and PA. Within 48 hours of intubation, the infection rates of AB, KP, and PA were 20.83% (15/72), 13.89% (10/72), and 4.17% (3/72), respectively. Of the 42 patients with primary pneumonia, 61.90% (26/42) were infected with one or more of the three pathogenic bacteria AB, KP, and PA 48 hours after intubation, indicating a change in the etiology of the pathogenic bacteria, with the main pathogenic bacteria transitioning from other pathogenic bacteria to AB, KP, and PA. (2) AB, KP, and PA were prone to cause late onset VAP (i.e., intubation ≥ 5 days). Respectively, among VAP patients infected with AB, late onset VAP accounted for 59.46% (22/37). Among patients infected with KP, 75.00% (15/20) had late onset VAP. Among patients infected with PA, late onset VAP accounted for 94.74% (18/19), indicating a higher proportion of late onset VAP caused by PA and KP. (3) Infection was closely related to intubation time, and the pipeline can be replaced according to the peak period of infection. AB and KP infections peaked within 4 days after intubation, reaching 57.69% (30/52) and 50.00% (15/30), respectively. It is recommended to replace the tubes or undergo sensitive antimicrobial therapy around 3-4 days after starting the machine. The proportion of PA infection after 7 days of intubation was 72.73% (16/22), and it was considered to replace the pipeline after 7 days. (4) Most of the three pathogenic bacteria, AB, KP, and PA were carbapenem resistant pathogens with multiple drug resistance. Except for PA, the infection rate of carbapenem resistant bacteria (CRAB, CRKP) was significantly higher than that of non-carbapenem resistant bacteria (AB, KP), accounting for 86.54% (45/52) and 66.67% (20/30) of the corresponding infection cases, respectively, while CRPA only accounts for 18.18% (4/22). CONCLUSIONS The main differences in VAP infection caused by AB, KP, and PA pathogens are infection time, infection probability, and carbapenem resistance. Targeted prevention and treatment measures can be implemented for patients with intubation.
Female ; Male ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; Retrospective Studies ; China ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Acinetobacter baumannii ; Klebsiella pneumoniae