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Background: We organized a training program for oral fiber optic intubation (FOI) under conscious sedation. The efficacy of the program was evaluated by comparing the performances of experts and novices., Methods: The training procedure was divided into two sessions: a theoretical session on difficult airways, the fiber optic bronchoscope (FOB), remifentanil, topical anesthesia and patient interactions; and a session involving simulations of the FOI technique on dummies. For in vivo FOI, we enrolled patients requiring orotracheal intubation for elective surgery. Electrocardiograms, mean arterial pressure (MAP) values, peripheral O(2) saturation (SpO(2)) values, respiratory rates (RR) and sedation scores (OAA/S) were acquired. Remifentanil infusion was started at 0.05-0.1 microg*kg(-1)*min(-1), and patients' upper airways were anesthetized with lidocaine. Remifentanil was titrated to achieve an OAA/S of 9-12. FOBs were inserted, and topical laryngeal anesthesia was achieved ("spray as you go" technique). The instrument was passed into the trachea, the OT tube was railroaded over the fiberscope, and tracheal intubation was completed. The procedure duration and patients' vital parameters and satisfaction were recorded., Results: Three experts and four less-experienced anesthesiologists who performed 29 (10, 10 and 9) and 25 (6, 6, 6 and 7) FOIs, respectively, joined the study. To reach the target OAA/S, the remifentanil dosage was progressively increased to an average dose of 0.15+/-0.05 microg*Kg(-1)*min(-1). MAP and SpO(2) values were stable throughout the procedures, HR was slightly increased (from 77+/-16 to 90+/-23 bpm, P=0.02), and RR was decreased (from 16+/-3 to 12+/-4 bpm, P<0.05). No differences were recorded between the experts and less-experienced anesthesiologists. The average duration of FOI was 3.3+/-2.0 min for experts and 4.2+/-2.4 min for novices (P=0.03). Procedures were successful in both groups, with patients in each group being equally satisfied with the procedures., Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of a structured FOI training program, demonstrating that it is possible to learn to perform FOI proficiently by practicing on dummies.

Ten-three patients were investigated during the early postoperative phase after orthotopic liver transplantation to assess the adequacy of the amino acid (AA) supply during both parenteral (days 1-5) and enteral (days 6-9) nutrition. Plasma AA profile was determined preoperatively, on day 4 and 5 during TPN and on day 8 and 9 during EN, urea production rate was measured every day. Calories input was 28 kcal.kg-.day as glucose, nitrogen intake was 0.25 g.kg- day, supplying individual AA on the basis of previous studies. Urea nitrogen production during TPN (9-11 gN/m2.day) outlines the ability of the transplanted liver to manage the overall nitrogen load. Individual AA plasma profile was considered the expression of an adequate input when comprised between 1 and 1.5 times the normal value, in this respect we obtained adequate levels of all essential AAs. Particularly phenylalanine, methionine and branched chain AA, critical during liver failure, were kept in this range by supplying 68, 48 and 500 mg.kg-1.day. According to AA profile the supply of cystine and tyrosine (conditionally essential AAs), and of histidine, taurine, proline and serine could be safely increased. Not given dispensable AAs (glutamine, asparagine, citrulline and alfa amino butyric) showed a plasma level below the norm and should be added to the diet.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the kinetics of arterial plasma amino acid profile during the first 48 h of clinical TPN in order to assess the time necessary to reach the steady-state condition during infusion. Each patient was treated with one of three different amino acid solutions yielding, in the same nitrogen intake, different intakes of individual amino acids. We found four different kinetics for the administered amino acids: an increase of plasma levels immediately after the start of the TPN with no variations during the steady period; the same trend with the steady-state obtained after 6-24 h of TPN infusion; no influence at all; a decrease of fasting plasma levels with the steady-state attained variably during the study period. Each given amino acid showed a different trend partly depending on the supply, suggesting that the steady-state was reached sooner for most amino acids, when the supply was larger. With lower intakes, plasma levels were unaffected or decreased. We conclude that in critically ill patients at least 24 h are needed to obtain stable arterial plasma amino acid concentration during TPN with adequate intakes of amino acid. Knowledge offers the possibility for a quick and accurate assessment of the adequacy of a given preparation (tailored for critically ill patients), it reduces the time span of the study and, as a consequence, the influence of varied metabolic conditions.

This article is a review of present knowledge of the hormonal and metabolic responses to trauma and surgery. The factors which may mediate the responses are discussed and the potential value of different therapeutic manipulations are reviewed. The accelerated breakdown of muscle following significant injury is the most characteristic feature of the metabolic response. The magnitude of the muscle wasting that is potentially proportional to the extent of injury, leads to a marked cachexia which could be considered a part of the multiple organ failure. It does seem that the protein loss and the immunodepression which often occurs after major trauma may be important factors in determining morbidity and mortality of the patients. The prevention or the attenuation of the metabolic stress response could be beneficial in improving immunocompetence and minimizing complications after major trauma or surgery so that an earlier return to normal health could be achieved. At present there are few epidemiological data to support this view but it is an attractive concept in the management of a severely ill patients. We are aware that anaesthetic techniques, nutritional support, normothermia and hormonal manipulation can modify part of the hormonal and metabolic response to surgery. The knowledge of all of them and the clinical implications that their use could have, will be helpful to the anaesthesiologists and the Intensive Care physicians in their daily working in the operation theatre, intensive care unit or in the surgical ward.

Despite consistent improvement in its treatment, amatoxin poisoning still extolls an elevated overall mortality, ranging between 10 and 15%, which approaches 100% when severe (grade 3-4 encephalopathy) hepatic failure supervened. Therefore, the proper treatment of intoxication by amatoxin containing mushrooms, and particularly of its complications, remains a challenge in emergency medicine. Klein and coworkers reviewed the role of liver transplantation in amatoxin poisoning as a useful therapeutic tool for patients with severe impairment of liver function. Their indication for intervention is the presence of any of the following signs: grade 2 encephalopathy or higher; prothrombin time twice than normal, despite fresh frozen plasma infusion; hypoglycemia requiring hypertonic glucose infusion; hyperbilirubinemia (greater than 25 mg/dl). During the past autumn two patients with fulminant hepatic failure due to amatoxin poisoning were referred to our institutions as candidates for liver transplantation, since both satisfied Klein's criteria. However, due to shortage of organ donors it was impossible to transplant them over the following days. Despite they did not receive liver transplantation, both patients wakened from coma, their liver function improved, and they recovered from terminal amatoxin poisoning. After one year, both patients are long-term survivors, in good health and without any sequelae either in brain or liver function.

The equilibrium kinetic of two different amino acid solutions was investigated in ten catabolic patients (Parentamin, Pierrel; HBC, Baxter). Plasma amino acid pattern was determined on arterial samples before TPN and several times over 48 hours of TPN. Nitrogen balance was measured from 24 hours urine collection. Three different cinetic trends were found: a fast modification (diminution or increase), a slow adaptation, or no modification of plasmatic levels, however each amino acid reached a steady state plateau. The adequacy of the infusion of each amino acid was evaluated comparing its steady-state plasma level to the after lunch level in healthy man. This made possible to approximate metabolic needs of each of the infused amino acids and to identify the inadequacy of some metabolic pathways to synthetized non essential amino acids lacking in solutions. This made possible to identify amino acids infused in excess or in defect, and those infused in dose adapt to the metabolic needs of such patients.