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Summary: Aspiration of gastric contents is a recognised complication during all phases of anaesthesia. The risk of this event becomes more likely with repeated attempts at tracheal intubation. There is a lack of clinical data on the effectiveness of videolaryngoscopy relative to direct laryngoscopy rapid sequence intubation in the operating theatre. We hypothesised that the use of a videolaryngoscope during rapid sequence intubation would be associated with a higher first pass tracheal intubation success rate than conventional direct laryngoscopy. In this multicentre randomised controlled trial, 1000 adult patients requiring tracheal intubation for elective, urgent or emergency surgery were allocated randomly to airway management using a McGrath™ MAC videolaryngoscope (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) or direct laryngoscopy. Both techniques used a Macintosh blade. First‐pass tracheal intubation success was higher in patients allocated to the McGrath group (470/500, 94%) compared with those allocated to the direct laryngoscopy group (358/500, 71.6%), odds ratio (95%CI) 1.31 (1.23–1.39); p < 0.001. This advantage was observed in both trainees and consultants. Cormack and Lehane grade ≥ 3 view occurred less frequently in patients allocated to the McGrath group compared with those allocated to the direct laryngoscopy group (5/500, 1% vs. 94/500, 19%, respectively; p < 0.001). Tracheal intubation with a McGrath videolaryngoscope was associated with a lower rate of adverse events compared with direct laryngoscopy (13/500, 2.6% vs. 61/500, 12.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). These findings suggest that the McGrath videolaryngoscope is superior to a conventional direct laryngoscope for rapid sequence intubation in the operating theatre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Before completion of this study, there was insufficient evidence demonstrating the superiority of videolaryngoscopy compared with direct laryngoscopy for elective tracheal intubation. We hypothesised that using videolaryngoscopy for routine tracheal intubation would result in higher first‐pass tracheal intubation success compared with direct laryngoscopy. In this multicentre randomised trial, 2092 adult patients without predicted difficult airway requiring tracheal intubation for elective surgery were allocated randomly to either videolaryngoscopy with a Macintosh blade (McGrath™) or direct laryngoscopy. First‐pass tracheal intubation success was higher with the McGrath (987/1053, 94%), compared with direct laryngoscopy (848/1039, 82%); absolute risk reduction (95%CI) was 12.1% (10.9–13.6%). This resulted in a relative risk (95%CI) of unsuccessful tracheal intubation at first attempt of 0.34 (0.26–0.45; p < 0.001) for McGrath compared with direct laryngoscopy. Cormack and Lehane grade ≥ 3 was observed more frequently with direct laryngoscopy (84/1039, 8%) compared with McGrath (8/1053, 0.7%; p < 0.001) No significant difference in tracheal intubation‐associated adverse events was observed between groups. This study demonstrates that using McGrath videolaryngoscopy compared with direct laryngoscopy improves first‐pass tracheal intubation success in patients having elective surgery. Practitioners may consider using this device as first choice for tracheal intubation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In thyroid surgery, intra‐operative neuromonitoring signals of the recurrent laryngeal nerve can be detected by surface electrodes on a tracheal tube positioned at the vocal fold level. The incidence of difficult tracheal intubation in patients undergoing thyroidectomy for nodular goitre ranges from 5.3% to 20.5%. The aim of this study was to compare videolaryngoscopy with conventional direct laryngoscopy as methods for proper placement of the surface electrode to prevent insufficient intra‐operative nerve signal quality. In this prospective randomised trial, adult patients requiring tracheal intubation during thyroid surgery were randomly allocated to two groups of C‐MAC® (Macintosh style blade) videolaryngoscope or direct laryngoscopy using the Macintosh laryngoscope. Primary outcome was the incidence of insufficient signal electromyogram amplitude level (< 500 μV) after successful tracheal intubation. A total of 260 (130 per group) participants were analysed. An insufficient signal was more frequent with direct laryngoscopy (35/130, 27%), compared with C‐MAC (12/130, 9%, p < 0.001). First‐pass tracheal intubation success rate was lower with direct laryngoscopy (86/130 (66%)) compared with the C‐MAC (125/130 (96%)) (p < 0.0001). Cormack and Lehane grade ≥ 3 was observed more frequently with direct laryngoscopy (16/130 (12%)), compared with the C‐MAC (0/130, (0%)) (p < 0.0001). The results suggest that videolaryngoscopy has an impact on the quality of the initial intra‐operative neuromonitoring signal in patients undergoing thyroid surgery, and this technique can provide optimised surface electrode positioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Non‐invasive haemoglobin measurement using absolute values lacks the precision to be the sole basis for the treatment of pre‐operative anaemia. However, it can possibly serve as a screening test, indexing 'anaemia' with high sensitivity when values remain under prespecified cut‐off values. Based on previous data, non‐invasive haemoglobin cut‐off values (146 g.l−1 for women and 152 g.l−1 for men) detect true anaemia with 99% sensitivity. An index test with these prespecified cut‐off values was verified by prospective measurement of non‐invasive and invasive haemoglobin pre‐operatively in elective surgical patients. In 809 patients, this showed an estimated sensitivity (95%CI) of 98.9% (94.1–99.9%) in women and 96.4% (91.0–99.0%) in men. This saved invasive blood tests in 9% of female and 28% of male patients. In female patients, a lower non‐invasive haemoglobin cut‐off value (138 g.l−1) would save 28% of invasive blood tests with a sensitivity of 95%. The target 99% sensitivity would be reached by non‐invasive haemoglobin cut‐off values of 152 g.l−1 in female and 162 g.l−1 in male patients, saving 3% and 9% of invasive blood tests, respectively. Bias and limits of agreement between non‐invasive and laboratory haemoglobin levels were 2 and − 25 to 28 g.l−1, respectively. Patient and measurement characteristics did not influence the agreement between non‐invasive and laboratory haemoglobin levels. Although sensitivity was very high, the index test using prespecified cut‐off values just failed to reach the target sensitivity to detect true anaemia. Nevertheless, with respect to blood‐sparing effects, the use of the index test in men may be clinically useful, while an index test with a lower cut‐off (132 g.l−1) could be more clinically appropriate in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This 90° stylet curvature works well for videolaryngoscopy (VL) [[5]] but may be suboptimal for direct laryngoscopy (DL), where a view of the vocal cords suggests a straight path from the user's eye to the glottic aperture. In our trial, we defined a successful intubation attempt as correct placement of the tracheal tube without assistance using a single blade insertion or accomplished within a timeframe of 120 s [[2]]. Compared with direct laryngoscopy, the learning curve using the McGrath MAC videolaryngoscope is steeper and has a similar failed tracheal intubation rate, despite an optimal glottic view. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The novel Totaltrack combines a supraglottic airway device with video laryngoscopic tracheal intubation. The intubation laryngeal mask Fastrach is an established device without visual control of intubation. We hypothesized that supraglottic ventilation success with Totaltrack would be similar to Fastrach, but intubation would be performed faster due to visual control of the procedure.Methods: Fifty-five anaesthesiologists were randomized into one of two study arms: Fastrach Totaltrack. After a standardized introduction, six consecutive attempts of supraglottic ventilation and intubation attempts with each of one of the devices were performed on an airway manikin. The combined primary outcome was: time to supraglottic ventilation and time to ventilation after intubation. Additionally, success rate and learning curves were evaluated.Results: Supraglottic time to ventilation was shorter when using the Fastrach compared to the Totaltrack (median: 7.8 s [confidence interval [CI]: 7.0-8.6 s] vs. 11 s [CI: 7.8-14.2 s], P < 0.001). Intubation was faster using the Fastrach compared to Totaltrack (median: 12.5 s, [CI: 10.1-14.9 s] vs. 23.3 s [CI: 21.5-25.1 s], P < 0.001). Success rate for supraglottic ventilation was comparable between Fastrach and Totaltrack (86-96%). Successful intubation via the device was 100% in Fastrach and ranged from 61% to 93% in Totaltrack, with a higher probability of successful intubation after four applications.Conclusion: In this manikin-based study the novel Totaltrack did not prove superior to Fastrach despite a similar design. Video laryngoscopic control of supraglottic ventilation and endotracheal intubation was prolonged using the Totaltrack. Clinical trials are mandatory to evaluate the role of the Totaltrack in airway management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current options for BRCA 1/2 mutation carriers to reduce their risk of breast cancer (death) include prophylactic mastectomy, oophorectomy and surveillance. Screening for breast cancer is also offered to women with a familial predisposition for breast cancer, but without a proven BRCA 1/2 mutation. The effectivity of mammographic screening in this group of women is questionable, especially in BRCA 1/2 mutation carriers, due to a low sensitivity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appeared to be a sensitive imaging method in the diagnostic setting and is therefore being investigated as screening tool in women at high risk of breast cancer. Results of MRI pilot studies showed a very high sensitivity (100%) of MRI in all studies, while sensitivity of mammography was never higher than 50%. Recently, the first results of four large series were published. In these studies, sensitivity of MRI was lower than in the smaller pilot studies, but all found a higher sensitivity for MRI (71–96%) than for mammography (36–43%). All studies except one found a lower specificity for MRI than for mammography. Characteristics of the tumours detected within the screening programme were favourable with respect to size and nodal status. Currently, it appears advisable to offer MRI as a screening tool to proven gene mutation carriers. For genetically susceptible women without a proven gene mutation, more research is warranted to decide which of them should be offered MRI screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]