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To identify the risk factors of post-operative sore throat (POST) with and without hoarseness (PH) after general anesthesia.A retrospective cohort case-controlled study was done at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Two thousand six hundred anesthetic records from between July 2013 and January 2014 were retrieved. Inclusion criteria were complete records of patients older than 18 years and elective surgery under general anesthesia longer than 30 minutes using endotracheal intubation (ETT) or Laryngeal mask airway (LMA). All patients went through complete post-operative evaluation.Two thousand five hundred three cases were analyzed. Incidences of POST and PH were 41 and 19.7% respectively, mostly graded as mild symptoms. When severity of POST was increased, the incidence of PH also increased significantly (p0.001). Both POST and PH were strictly related to insertion of ETT. The use of LMA instead of ETI reduced the incidences of POST and PH effectively. In female patients, reduction of ETT from size 7.5 to 7 reduced incidences of POST significantly.The use of LMA reduced the incidences of both POST and PH. This conclusion is limited to selected cases and not applicable to all. Further studies should focus on possible factors to decrease the incidence of POST and PH after endotracheal intubation, which could increase patient satisfaction.

Clinicians are divided regarding laryngeal mask airway (LMA) size selection for pediatric patients, primarily whether age or body weight is an appropriate predictor.Determine if body weight and/or age are reliable predictors in LMA size selection in Thai children.Retrospective review of patient medical records was conducted between October 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013. Seven hundred forty one patients, aged 0 to 8 years, were evaluated for the present study. Age and weight correlation for LMA size selection was determined. Appropriate LMA size was identified by successful LMA insertion after induction of anesthesia.Our findings indicate that size 1 LMA for patients weighing less than 7 kilograms, size 1.5 LMA for patients weighing 7 to 11 kilograms, size 2 LMA for patients weighing 11 to 17 kilograms, and size 2.5 LMA for patients weighing 15 to 28 kilograms is appropriate. There was poor correlation between children’s age and LMA size.LMA size selection should be based on patient’s weight. Our findings revealed applicable and specific weight range for LMA selection in Thai pediatric patients

Femoral nerve block has been proven as an effective analgesia for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Delayed recovery from nerve block can result in serious complication during postoperative period. This prospective, single-center, observational study investigated the incidence in delayed recovery from femoral nerve block more than 24 hours postoperatively.Two hundred and forty patients with femoral nerve block as part of anesthesia plan for elective unilateral TKA were recruited into study. Participants were assessed for sensory or motor impairment lasting longer than 24 hours post operation. Factors associated with delayed recovery from femoral nerve block were analyzed.Five patients (incidence = 2.08%) reported sensory or motor impairment more than 24 hours post operation. All of the patients could ambulate within 4 days post operation without permanent nerve injury or serious complication. Higher dose of local anesthetic agent using for femoral nerve block showed association with the delayed recovery (p-value = 0.01).This study demonstrated 2.08% incidence in delayed recovery from femoral nerve block. High concentration and dose of local anesthetic agent may lead to fall during early ambulatory period.

The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after intrathecal morphine is high. Ramosetron is a 5-HT₃ antagonist that has been shown to reduce PONV in general anesthesia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Ramosetron in preventing PONV MATERIAL AND METHOD: 165 patients undergoing elective gynecological surgery under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to two groups: the Ramosetron group (0.1 mg orally, n = 82), and the placebo group (oral corn starch, n = 83). The incidence of PONV severity of nausea and use of rescue antiemetic during the first 24 hour after surgery were evaluated.The incidence of PONV was significantly lower in the Ramosetron group compared with the placebo group (24.4% vs. 44.6%, number needed to treat (NNT) = 5.0). The severity of nausea was significantly lower in the Ramosetron group compared with the placebo group (20.7% vs. 39.8%, NNT = 6.0) in the 24 hour period.Oral Ramosetron 0.1 mg was more effective than placebo in PONV prevention and reduced the incidence of moderate to severe nausea after intrathecal morphine in the first 24 hour after gynecological surgery.

To investigate the effect of direct field block with 40 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine on the top of intrathecal morphine on postoperative pain free period.The present prospective randomized controlled trial was undertaken in 56 pregnant patients that underwent elective cesarean delivery at Siriraj Hospital. All patients were randomized into two groups to receive spinal block with intrathecal morphine as a control group, or direct field block on the top of spinal block with intrathecal morphine as a study group. The assessment ofpain score, 24-hour morphine usage, satisfaction score, pruritus, nausea and vomiting, sedation score, and motor power were recorded.Both groups had similar pain score. The number of subjects who had pain free period during the 24 hours in the direct field block group was seven of 28, while in the control group it was four of 28. Median time of pain free period was 2.10 hours in control group and 2.36 hours in direct field block group. There was no significant difference in 24-hour morphine consumption, satisfaction score, pruritus, nausea, vomiting, and sedation score. Motor power was fully recovered within six hours postoperative in both groups.Direct field block with 40 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine in conjunction with intrathecal morphine for cesarean section did not increase pain free period or decrease morphine consumption.

To determine the plasma concentrations of bupivacaine and toxicity after periarticular injection (PAI) combined with spinal anesthesia and femoral nerve block (FNB).Forty-three patients scheduled for unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were enrolled in the prospective observational study. The dose of bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia was adjusted by the attending anesthesiologist. The single-shot femoral nerve block (FNB) and periarticular injection (PAI) were performed with 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine respectively. Venous blood samples from antecubital vein were collected at 60 minutes after femoral nerve block and at the time before periarticular injection, then at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes afterwards. Plasma bupivacaine concentrations were analyzed, using a high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.Ten males and 32 females, ASA I-II were included. The highest median plasma concentration was 586.22 ng/ml (min = 245.39, max = 1,614.36) at 45 minutes after periarticular injection. The maximum plasma bupivacaine concentration was 1,709.71 ng/ml at 60 minutes after periarticular injection. No clinical toxicity was encounteredThe plasma concentration of bupivacaine in patients performed periarticular injection with 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine after spinal anesthesia and single-shot femoral nerve block with 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine is below the plasma toxic level.

Postoperative sore throat (POST) has been one of the most common complaints after anesthesia. In Siriraj Hospital, a high volume of general anesthesia is performed annually, but there was limited data regarding this complaint.To describe the incidence of POST and to determine risk factors associated with the occurrence of POST MATERIAL AND METHOD: Three hundred eighty seven patients were prospectively studied. Demographic data, airway management, and intra-operative data were recorded. Sore throat occurrence and its intensity at postoperative 24 hours as well as patient satisfaction were assessed.The overall incidence of POST was 35.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30.9-40. 7%) with the mean intensity of 29.8 +/- 21.2. Operation of the neck was found to be an independent risk factor of 24-hour POST (odds ration [OR] 3.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.88-6.25, p0.001), whereas in gynecological surgery the occurrence was significantly attenuated (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26-0.95, p = 0.035).POST was common after general anesthesia. Careful airway management might be the key to prevent this occurrence and to improve the quality of anesthetic care.

Presently, in Siriraj Hospital, intrathecal morphine is routinely used in spinal anesthesia for postoperative pain control in more than 600 cases per month with doses lower than 0.3 mg. However, the incidence of side effects is high. This retrospective data review was performed to identify incidence and risk factors of postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pruritus.One thousand three hundred six anesthetic records were analyzed for incidence of nausea, vomiting, and pruritus after spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine in Siriraj Hospital between October 2010 and April 2011. Data extracted were age, gender, type of operations, dosage of spinal morphine, and frequency, and severity of adverse effects (nausea, vomiting, and pruritus). Odd ratios and multiple logistic regression analysis were used.Incidence of nausea, vomiting, and pruritus were 21.5, 14.8, and 59.5% respectively. No respiratory depression and urinary retention was reported There was statistically significant correlation in the incidence of nausea, vomiting, and pruritus with female gender, cesarean section, and intrathecal morphine dose (p0.001). Intrathecal morphine more than 0.2 mg resulted in an increase in severity of side effects.The intrathecal morphine is effective in postoperative pain control. However it induces high incidence of nausea, vomiting, and pruritus. Prevention of side effects and alternatives to intrathecal morphine need further research.

Femoral nerve block is commonly established for postoperative analgesia in total knee arthroplasty but no evidence of plasma bupivacaine level has been reported.Determine the plasma concentrations of bupivacaine in patients who had single-injection of femoral nerve block.A prospective observational study was undertaken with 25 patients scheduled for unilateral total knee arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia and single shot femoral nerve block with 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine. Venous blood samples were collected at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after femoral nerve block. Plasma bupivacaine levels were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.Four males and 21 females, ASA I-II were enrolled in the present study. Mean age, body mass index, and serum albumin level were 69.9 +/- 5.95 years, 27 +/- 3.67 kg/m2, and 4.46 +/- 0.26 mg/dL, respectively. The median of peak plasma concentration was 538.35 ng/mL (min = 176.30, max = 1,383.99) at 60 minutes after femoral nerve block, while the maximal plasma concentration of bupivacaine was 1,883.39 ng/mL at 10 minutes. None showed signs or symptoms of bupivacaine toxicity.Peak plasma concentrations of bupivacaine were demonstrated at 60 minutes after a single shot femoral nerve block, and no signs or symptoms of bupivacaine toxicity were observed Therefore, single shot femoral nerve block with 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine is safe.

Find out if the addition of periarticular local anesthetic infiltration enhances the quality of postoperative pain control in patients with knee arthroplasty (TKA) in spinal anesthesia and intrathecal morphine plus single shot femoral nerve block (FNB). MATERIAL AND METHOD. Ninety-nine patients scheduled for TKA under spinal anesthesia were enrolled after written informed consent, and randomized into two groups with either periarticular injection of 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine (B-gr n = 50) or isotonic saline solution (S-gr n = 49). All patients had intrathecal morphine 0.2 mg and single shot FNB with 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% and were adjusted postoperative analgesic requirement via patient controlled analgesia with morphine. Effect of postoperative pain control and requirement of additional analgesics were recorded.Randomization created comparable groups. Periarticular infiltration of bupivacaine in addition to femoral nerve block and intrathecal morphine was efficient and superior to saline regarding pain control, morphine consumption, and patient's satisfaction. More patients in B-gr did not require any supplement morphine in the first 24 hours (26% compared to 12.2%, por = 0.01). In patients who required morphine, B-gr had longer pain free period (25 hours compared to 14.8 hours, p0.001) and needed lower dose of morphine (5.16 mg compared to 8. 67mg, p = 0.005). No significant side effects were recorded.Adding periarticular infiltration to femoral block and intrathecal morphine significantly enhances the quality of postoperative pain therapy in TKA patients. However combining three methods for analgesic therapy may be too much effort. Modifying infiltration techniques including continuous application needs further research.

The present study was a part of the Multi-centered Study of Model of Anesthesia related Adverse Events in Thailand by Incident Report (The Thai Anesthesia Incident Monitoring Study or Thai AIMS). The objective of the present study was to determine the outcomes, contributory factors and factor minimizing incident.The present study was a descriptive research design. The authors extracted relevant data from the incident reports on reintubation after planned extubation after general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation from the Thai AIMS database during the study period January to June 2007. The cases were extensively reviewed by 3 reviewers for conclusion of anesthesia directly and indirectly related reintubation. Comparative analysis between two groups was done.A total 184 incidents of extubation failure according to the definition were extracted in which 129 cases (70.1%) were classified as directly related to anesthesia and 55 cases (29.9%) were indirectly related to anesthesia. Oxygen desaturation occurred in 85.9% of cases while 90.2% of patients was reintubated within 2 hours after extubation. Hypoventilation (58.1%) was the commonest cause which led to reintubation directly related to anesthesia while upper airway obstruction (39.6%) was the commonest cause in the indirectly related anesthesia group. The proportion of preventable incident was 99.2% and 54.5% in directly and indirectly related anesthesia groups, respectively. Human factors particularly including lack of experience and inappropriate decision-making were considered in 99.2%, are directly related to anesthesia reintubation group.Extubation failure and reintubation was mostly related to anesthesia. Most of directly related to anesthesia group were considered as preventable. Human factors were also claimed as contributing factors. Quality assurance activity and improvement of supervision to improve experience and competency of decision making were suggested corrective strategies.

The incidence of hypotension after spinal anesthesia is highest in cesarean section. The authors' first retrospective study identified three risk factors that included two non-modifiable (patient's height and low baseline systolic blood pressure) and one modifiable risk factor (sensory analgesia equal to or higher than TS) associated with hypotension.To create a prospective record of the event in the patients who received successful spinal anesthesia for cesarean section.A prospective data collection, together with questionnaires that were completed by the responsible anesthetic team at the end of the operation for each consecutive patient. All parameters were coded and recorded in SPSS11.5. To assess the association between two categorical variables in a univariable analysis, chi-square test was used along with odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Mutivariable analysis via multiple logistic regressions was employed to determine the effect of each independent variable.Eight hundred and seven full-term pregnant women received successful spinal anesthesia for cesarean section at Siriraj Hospital from July 1 to December 31, 2004. Hypotension was defined as lowest systolic100 mmHg and the pressure was lower to equal to or more than 20% of baseline. Incidence of hypotension was 65.1%. Age35 yr BMI35 were two non-modifiable risk factors that increased the incidence of hypotension in the crude odds ratio (OR) 1.62 and 2.83 respectively with narrow 95% confidence interval. The level of sensory analgesia equal to or higher than T5 was the only one modifiable risk factor that increased the incidence of hypotension with crude OR 1.55 and narrow 95% CI.Limitation of the dose of local anesthetic agent or addition of some opioids could reduce the incidence and severity of hypotension after spinal anesthesia for cesarean section.

The present study was part of the Thai Anesthesia Incidents Study (THAI Study) of anesthetic adverse outcomes.Study complications after spinal anesthesia.During the 12 month period (March 1, 2003 - February 28, 2004), a prospective multicentered descriptive study was conducted in 20 hospitals comprised of seven university, five tertiary, four general and four district hospitals across Thailand Anesthesia personnel filled up patient-related, surgical-related, and anesthesia-related variables and adverse outcomes of all consecutive patients receiving anesthesia on a structured data entry form. The data were collected during pre-anesthetic, intra-operative, and 24 hr post operative period Adverse event specific forms were used to record when these incidents occurred. Data were reviewed by three independent reviewers and analyzed to identify contributing factors by consensus.This was registry of 40,271 spinal anesthetics from 172,697 anesthetics. The incidence of total spinal anesthesia, neurological complications, suspected myocardial ischemia, or infarction and oxygen desaturation per 10000 spinal anesthetics were 3.48 (95% CI 1.66-5.30), 1.49 (95% CI 0.30-2.68), 2.73 (95% CI 1.12-4.35), 0.99 (95% CI 0.39-2.56), and 6.46 (95% CI 3.98-8.94) respectively. This was not different to the incidence in other countries. Risk factors of oxygen desaturation were shorter in height [OR 0.95 (95% CI 0.92-0.97); p0.0011, higher ASA physical status [OR 3.37 (95% CI 1.98-5.72); p0.001], and use of propofol [OR 5.22 (95% CI 1.78-15.35); p = 0.003]. Other complications such as seizure, anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reaction, drug error, and pulmonary aspiration were scarce. There was no case of mismatched blood transfusion in the present study.Incidence of total spinal block, neurological complication, and suspected myocardial ischemia or infarction was uncommon. Risk factors of oxygen destruction were shorter in height, higher ASA physical status, and use of propofol. Some events were considered avoidable and preventable.

Hypotension and bradycardia during spinal anesthesia are common and may relate to severe adverse events such as cardiac arrest or death. The authors'first retrospective study identified three non-modfiiable factors including females, age more than 40 years, and type of operation. Level of blockage higher than T5 was the only one modifiable factor that could be confirmed That study was strongly limited by the nature of the retrospective anesthetic record reviewed study.The authors prospectively studied the records of 2, 000 patients who received spinal anesthesia at Sriraj Hospital from 1 July 2004 to 31 December 2004. The collected parameters were patient demographic data (sex, age, body weight, height, ASA status), operative data (type of operation, emergency status, position and duration of operation), anesthetic data (type and dosage of local anesthetic agents used, intravenous fluid, vasoactive and sedative agents, highest sensory level of spinal blockage, usage and doses of spinal opioids). Recording forms of hypotension and bradycardia were completed by the responsible anesthetic team in each consecutive patient.Incidence of hypotension (20% or more decrease in systolic blood pressure) in the present study was 57.9%. The highest incidence was in cesarean section. Four non-modifiable risk factors could be identified which included females, age more than 50, body mass index more than 35 (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.01-4.29) and type of operation. Two modifiable risk factors included high dose of heavy bupivacaine (OR 1. 88, 95%CI 1. 3-2.74) and level of sensory blockage equal to or higher than T5 (OR 2.27, 95%CI 1.73-2.97).Usage of high dose of heavy bupivacaine and level of blockage higher than T5 were two modifiable risk factors associated with hypotension during spinal anesthesia. Avoidance of high block and lower dose of heavy bupivacaine can reduced the incidence and severity of hypotension after spinal anesthesia.

National statistical data of mortality and morbidity related to anesthesia have not been reported. The need to comprehensively examine the cause of death as well as other adverse events prompted the first national study in Thailand.In the Thai Anesthesia Incidents Study (THAI Study), a prospectively defined cohort of patients who underwent anesthesia from February 1, 2003 to January 31, 2004 (n=163,403) was studied. All consecutive patients who died intraoperatively or within the period of 24 hr after anesthesia were classified to determine a relationship with anesthesia by 3 independent reviewers. These data were further analysed to identify contributing factors.The incidence of 24-hr perioperative death, anesthesia directly related and anesthesia partially related death per 10,000 anesthetics was 28.2 (95% CI 25.7-30.8), 1.7 (95% CI 1.1-2.3) and 4.0 (95% CI 3.1-5.0) respectively. Of 462 deaths, 28 cases (6.5%), 66 cases (14.3%), 61 cases (3.3%), 399 cases (86.7%) and 104 cases (22.6%) were anesthesia directly related, anesthesia partially related, surgical related, patient disease related and system or management related to perioperative death. The common main causes of death were exangination (42.4%), traumatic brain injury (14.3%), sepsis (13.6%), heart failure (5.0%) and hypoxia (5.0%).This study shows incidence of 24-hr perioperative death of 1:354 which is comparable with other studies. Quality assurance activity, prevention of human failure and equipment failure, system improvement of perioperative care, availability of recovery room, intensive care unit, efficient blood bank and adequate number of MD. anesthesiologists are suggestive corrective strategies.

To analyze incidence, risk factors, clinical course, outcomes of PMI. Degree of anesthesia related to PMI, management, precipitating factors and corrective strategies.PMI cases were extracted from the Thai Anesthesia Incidents Study (THAI Study) database conducted between February 1, 2003 and January 31, 2004, and analyzed using descriptive statistics.Forty-five cases were recorded as PMI (Suspected myocardial ischemia/infarction) from 20 hospital study centers. The incidence was 2.7:10,000 of all anesthetic services (163,403 cases). PMI occurred more frequently in male, underlying disease of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, ASA class2, under general anesthesia and during operation. EKG change and hypotension were primary clinical symptoms. PMI caused high mortality (5 cases), high morbidity (6 cases of brain death), high medical cost and change of management plan.PMI was strongly impact to both anesthetic and surgical outcomes. Improve quality of anesthetic care for patient at risk and surgical risk reflected the whole anesthetic quality of care.

The purposes of the Thai Anesthesia Incidents Study (THAI Study) of anesthetic outcomes were to survey patients, surgical, anesthetic profiles and determine factors related to adverse events.A prospective descriptive study of occurrence screening was conducted in 20 hospitals comprised of 7 university, 4 general and 4 district hospitals across Thailand. Anesthesia personnel were required to fill up patient-related, surgical-related, anesthesia-related variables and adverse outcomes on a structured data entry form. The data were collected during the preanesthetic evaluation, intraoperative period and 24 hr postoperative period. Adverse events specific forms were used to record when they occurred. All data were keyed at data management unit with double entry technique and descriptive statistics was used in the first phase of this study.A total of 163403 consecutive cases were recorded during first 12 months. MD. anesthesiologists involved with 82%, 89%, 45% and 0.2% of cases in university hospitals, regional hospitals, general hospitals and district hospitals respectively. Nurse anesthetists took a major involvement in hospitals run by the Ministry of Public Health. Two-thirds of cases did not receive any premedication (67%) and midazolam was most frequent premedication administered (20%). Common monitoring were non invasive blood pressure (NIBP) (97%), pulse oximetry (96%), electrocardiography (80%), urine output (33%), airway pressure (27%) and capnometry (19%) respectively. The choices of anesthesia were general anesthesia (62%), spinal anesthesia (23%), total intravenous anesthesia (6%), monitor anesthesia care (4%), brachial plexus block (3%) and epidural anesthesia (1%). The adverse events were oxygen desaturation (31.9:10000), cardiac arrest (30.8:10000), death within 24 hr. (28.3:10000), difficult intubation (22.5:10000),re-intubation (19.4:10000), unplanned ICU admission (7.2:10000), coma/cva/convulsion (4.8:10000), equipment malfunction/failure (3.4:10000), suspected myocardial ischemia or infarction (2.7:10000), awareness during anesthesia (3.8:10000), late detected esophageal intubation (4.1:10000), failed intubation (3.1:10000), anaphylaxis or anaphylactoid reaction (2.1:10000), nerve injury (2:10000), pulmonary aspiration (2.7:10000), drug error (1.3:10000), hazard to anesthesia personnel (1.5:10000), unplanned hospital admission (0.1:10000), total spinal block (1.3:10000) and mismatch blood transfusion (0.18:10000)Respiratory adverse events were common anesthesia direct related events. High incidence of cardiac arrest and death within 24 hr highlighted concerns for prevention strategies. Incidents of adverse events can be used for institutional quality improvement, educational quality assurance and further research for patient safety in anesthesia.

To examine incidents, contributory factors, treatment and outcomes associated with oxygen desaturation during anesthesia practice in Thailand.Relevant data were extracted from the Thai Anesthesia Incidents Study (THAI Study) database between February 1, 2003 and January 31, 2004 and analyzed by using mainly descriptive statistics.Four hundred and ninety seven incidents of oxygen desaturation (SpO290 for at least 3min oror = 85%) were reported. The incidents were widely distributed throughout anesthesia phases. Most of the incidents (92.2%) occurred during general anesthesia, while 23 (4.6%) occurred after regional anesthesia. Anesthesia was the sole contributory factor in 280 patients (56.8%) and a combination of that with other factors in 126 (25.4%). The majority of the incidents (88.4%) was related to respiratory adverse events, whereas, 8% was related to circulatory ones. Sixteen incidents (3.2%) were related to anesthetic machine and equipment failure. Most of the incidents (60.0%) caused minor physiologic changes and were correctable. The management was considered adequate in the majority of patients. As a result, 77.5 % of the patients recovered completely, whereas, death ensued in 5.8%. The cases of death were associated with co-morbidity (ASA class 4 and 5) with an Odds ratio of 12.9 (95% CI:5.4,31.0). The common contributory factors were inexperience, wrong decision, inadequate knowledge and lack ofsupervision. The proposed corrective strategies included improvement in supervision, care improvement, additional training, clinical practice guideline and quality assurance activity.Incidents associated with oxygen desaturation were distributed throughout all phases of anesthesia. Most of them were preventable and correctable. Therefore, anesthesia care providers should be alert in looking for incidents, and manage them promptly before they were in serious adverse events.

Even though esophageal intubation is a common event in anesthesia practice, frequently it is easily detected and resolved. However delayed detection of esophageal intubation (DDEI) can lead to many serious adverse events such as severe hypoxemia, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest and brain death.To analyze the incidence of DDEI during general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation and to identify its risk factors, especially patients factors and anesthetic techniques, as well as suggested strategies to prevent it.Prospective observational study.All reported DDEI incidents were identified from the Thai Anesthesia Incidents Study (THAI Study) database conducted between February 1, 2003, and January 31, 2004. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics.Forty four cases of DDEI were reported from total of 85,021 cases underwent general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation (5.2: 10,000). The incidence was highest in tertiary care hospital (11.6:10,000). Infant patients (or = 1 year of age), emergency operation and technique of rapid sequence induction with cricoid pressure were identified as risk factors of DDEI. Detection of DDEI was mainly based on clinical examination. The incidents with extremely low SpO2 level were reported but most of them were adequately managed without long term consequences and only one patient suffered from severe permanent brain damage.The overall incidence of DDEI in Thailand was 5.2:10,000. Contributing factors included infant patients, emergency operation, and rapid sequence induction with cricoid pressure. Increased awareness and additional training are suggested as preventive strategies.

To examine the causes, outcomes, and contributing factors associated with patients requiring unplanned emergency intubation for adverse respiratory events. METERIAL AND METHOD: Appropriate unplanned intubation incidents were extracted from the Thai Anesthesia Incidents Study (THAI Study) database conducted between February 1, 2003, and January 31, 2004, and analyzed using descriptive statistics.Thirty-one incidents of unplanned intubation were recorded, 21 of which were due to respiratory problems particularly after bronchoscopy with and without surgery of the upper airway. Six of the 21 cases (28.6%) were children under 10 years of age who suffered from papilloma of the larynx. Sixteen cases of the 31 cases (52%) of the unplanned intubations were due to inadequate ventilation; 13 cases (41%) due to laryngeal edema; 11 cases (36%) due to sedative agents. The other events were the result of unstable hemodynamics, severe metabolic acidosis, muscle relaxants, and intrapulmonary lesions. Eighteen cases of unplanned intubations (18/31) (58%) occurred in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, 5 cases (16%) in a ward, and 4 (13%) in the operating room. The reported contributing factors included inadequate experience, lack of supervision and the patient's condition.Major incidents of unplanned intubation occurred after bronchoscopy. Common contributing factors related to inadequate ventilation, airway obstruction, sedative agents and unstable hemodynamics. Quality assurance, additional training, and improved supervision tended to minimize the incidents.

A retrospective study was performed on 38 patients (23 males and 15 females) in whom the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) was used for airway management at Srinagarind and Siriraj Hospital in 2003. The patients 'age and weight ranged between 12 and 75 years and 40 and 94 kg, respectively. Difficult tracheal intubation was suspected before starting general anesthesia in 17 patients, whereas it was found difficult after induction of general anesthesia in 21. The ILMA was successfully placed in all patients with airway patency classified as 'good' and 'acceptable' in 36 patients (94.7%), and 'poor' in two. Oxygen saturation during intubation was maintained above 95 percent in all patients. Tracheal intubation through the ILMA was successful in 34 patients (89.5%), which was described as 'easy' in 27 of 34 patients (79.4%). In the remaining 7, 2-5 attempts were required for successful tracheal intubation. The types of endotracheal tubes used were: 1) the pre-formed silicone tube in 55.9 percent, 2) the pre-formed flexible tube in 41.2 percent; and, 3) the standard polyvinyl tube in 2.9 percent. In the four patients with failed tracheal intubation through the ILMA, three were successfully intubated with conventional laryngoscopy and one with gum elastic bougie. There were no serious complications following the use of the ILMA in these patients. The ILMA proved a safe, very useful and easy to use device with a high success rate for difficult airway management.

As part of a quality assurance program, the quality of the anesthesia service at Siriraj Hospital was assessed by using a newly developed data collecting system to find the incidence of clinical indicators. During a 7-month period (June-December 2001), 14,036 anesthetics were included for evaluation. The mortality rate within 24 hours and CPR rate during anesthesia were equal at 20.6/ 10,000. Other clinical indicators were major anesthetic complications (mainly airway, respiratory and cardiovascular system) 144.8/10,000, drug mishaps and adverse drug reactions 6.4/10,000, anesthetic equipment related complications 3.5/10,000 and patient's dissatisfaction 30.6/10,000. Patterns of some complications were also reported. The implications of the results; comparison to international standard, prioritization of the problems, baseline information before intervention, recognition of complication patterns and guidance to future system management and research projects; were discussed. In conclusion, we demonstrated the effective data collecting system and its results and implication for quality assurance program.

To determine the incidence, causes, management and outcome of desaturation occurring in the perioperative peroids (induction, maintence, emergence and recovery room) at Siriraj Hospital from June 2001-December 2001.Perioperative incident reports were collected and analyzed. Patients were catergorized as having desaturation if the SPO2 was below 90 per cent for more than 3 minutes. The incidence, causes, management, and outcomes of these patients were examined in detail.62 out of 16,716 cases (0.37%) experienced desaturation. Elective patients (0.41%) experienced desaturation more frequently than emergency patients (0.14%). The causes were airway obstruction, hypoventilation, endotracheal tube problems, aspiration, atelectasis, and pulmonary edema. These patients were treated with higher FiO2, airway management, and ventilatory support which led to unplanned ICU admission. 4 patients developed cardiac arrest with successful resuscitation although 2 patients had cerebral infarction.Perioperative desaturation is an important sign of respiratory complications that should be recognized and treated immediately to prevent mortality and serious morbidity.

The aim of this study is to compare the effect on postoperative pain of epidural ropivacaine in combination with intravenous ketorolac with intravenous ketorolac alone following transabdominal hysterectomy.A multi-center, randomized, double-blind study was conducted in Thailand and the Philippines to assess postoperative pain management in 107 patients given ketorolac alone or in combination with epidural ropivacaine following transabdominal hysterectomy. Pain score was assessed using a 100-mm visual analogue pain scale (VAS).The VAS scores for pain on coughing and at rest were significantly better in the ropivacaine group. The number of patients who asked for morphine in addition was higher in the ketorolac group compared to the ropivacaine + ketorolac group. The time taken to carry out the first three ambulatory steps was similar for both the two treatment groups. A higher degree of motor block was observed in the ropivacaine group over time. The adverse events observed were similar in both groups.We demonstrated that epidural infusion of ropivacaine in addition with intravenous ketorolac gave superior pain relief at rest and on coughing in patients undergoing transabdominal hysterectomy when compared to the group receiving intravenous ketorolac alone.