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Presents a letter to the editor on complications during general anaesthesia in the case of oral piercing.

In developed countries, peripartum hemorrhage, thromboembolic events and hypertensive pregnancy disorders are the most frequent complications in pregnancy. They pose a significant challenge for the interdisciplinary team of gynecology and anesthesiology. Untreated, these pregnancy-related complications result in a fulminant course. Close consultation between the specialist departments and knowledge of the area of responsibility are essential. In the case of acute bleeding the anesthesiologist is responsible for maintaining adequate circulatory conditions and management of hemostasis. Thromboembolic events require immediate anticoagulation and focused diagnostics. Thereby, both the fetal and the maternal risks must be weighed up. The hypertensive diseases in pregnancy have a very high risk of complications. In addition to symptomatic treatment in the intensive care unit, the optimal time of delivery must be determined by an interdisciplinary consensus. This is the only causal treatment option possible., (© 2021. Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Purpose of Review: The objective of this review is to identify the potential of peripheral nerve blocks established over the last years for perioperative pain management in breast surgery. These new blocks will be discussed with respect to their clinical effect and necessity., Recent Findings: After case reports and cadaver studies for the Pecs block and its variations sufficient clinical data from randomized controlled trial (RCT) and meta-analyses exist now. The modified Pecs block or Pecs II leads to a reduction of postoperative 24-h opioid consumption. The recently invented Erector spine block addresses the intercostal nerves. The benefits in analgesia of this approach were tested in few RCTs and showed superiority to the control group in terms of requested postoperative morphine. Most studies showed low intraoperative opioid doses and no study more than low to moderate postoperative pain scores., Summary: Taking the pain levels after breast surgery into account, the request of additional nerve blocks has to be pondered against the potential risks and resource requirement. To reduce or avoid intraoperative or postoperative opioids, an ultrasound-guided Pecs II block proves to be the best option for perioperative pain relief.

Background: In the context of ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks (regional anesthesia), clear visualization of the needle tip and the target structure are mandatory for the performance of a safe puncture and injection. The purpose of this in vitro study was to analyze the visualization of different forms of needle tips and calibers of cannulas in a phantom simulating human tissue, with the help of a standardized image analysis system. Different depths and angles of the puncture needle in relation to the ultrasound probe were tested., Material and Methods: Cannula needles established for use in regional anesthesia with different surfaces, diameters and needle tip form in 23 different combinations were analyzed. A gelatine-based phantom was used to simulate human tissue. The standardized visualization of the needle tip with the ultrasound probe was performed in plane at different angles (30°, 45° and 60°), depths of penetration (1 cm, 2 cm and 3 cm) and two different alignments of the cannula needle lumen to the ultrasound probe (0° and 180°). The screenshots of the ultrasound pictures were analyzed by quantifying the pixel brightness around the needle tip (region of interest) with a standardized software (score 0-255)., Results: In this study 1104 ultrasound images of cannula needles were analyzed. Diminished scores (reduced pixel brightness) of the needle tips were documented with increasing distance from the ultrasound probe. Comparison of punctures at angles of 30° and 45° showed no differences in needle tip visibility (same scores) but punctures at an angle of 60° were poorly visualized compared with 30° and 45° (mean scores 87.90 ± 11.60 vs. 78.40 ± 12.07, p < 0.001 and 81.85 ± 11.79 vs. 78.40 ± 12.07, p < 0.001, respectively). The direct alignment of the cannula lumen towards the ultrasound probe (0°) was significantly more easily visualized when compared with the reverse alignment of 180° (mean scores 86.90 ± 12.74 vs. 84.80 ± 11.66, p = 0.003, respectively). No differences in visibility were detected between the different cannula needle diameters examined. The Sprotte cannula showed the best visibility score with respect to the cut of the needle tip (mean score 89.40 ± 11.72)., Conclusion: The visibility of cannulas in ultrasound scans depends on the ultrasound frequency, angle of the puncture in relation to the ultrasound probe and the depth of penetration. The results of this study showed that direct alignment of the cannula needle lumen towards the ultrasound probe (0°) independently improved needle tip visualization. This simple measure allows a significant improvement in the safe performance of ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks.

Visualization and verification are key factors since the implementation of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. This article reviews and discusses newer technical innovations in regional anesthesia with regard to optimization of needle guidance, improvements in needle visibility, technical improvements in ultrasound techniques and innovative technologies in regional anesthesia. Clinically available applications are presented as well as experimental tools and techniques with a potential for clinical implementation in the future. Mechanical needle guides are used to improve alignment of needle axis and ultrasound beam axis. Compound imaging technology improves needle visibility in steep needle insertion angles and is already implemented in daily clinical practice. Sonoelastography improves tissue discrimination and detection of small amounts of fluids. Benefits of 3D and 4D ultrasound in regional anesthesia are discussed as well as experimental tools for tissue discrimination, such as optical reflection spectrophotometry.

Background: Ultrasound guidance is still a young method in regional anesthesia when compared to nerve stimulation and only a few studies exist comparing these two techniques in an axillary multiple injection approach., Aim: This prospective, randomized, observer-blinded study compared an ultrasound-guided (SONO) quadruple injection axillary block (out of plane, perineural) with a nerve stimulation-guided (STIM) triple injection axillary block for upper limb surgery., Material and Methods: A total of 60 patients were randomized to either the SONO (n = 30) or STIM (n = 30) group. For the block 40-50 ml mepivacaine 1.5 % (plexus) and 5-10 ml mepivacaine 0.5 % (subcutaneous in the medial skin of the arm) was used. Anesthesia time was recorded as the primary end point. After evaluation of block-related pain using a visual analog scale (VAS) a blinded observer tested sensory and motor function of the median nerve (MED), ulnar nerve (ULN), radial nerve (RAD), musculocutaneous nerve of the upper limb (MUC) and medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm (CAM) at defined times. The main outcome variable was onset time (defined loss of sensory/motor function)., Results: No differences were observed between the groups in terms of onset time (single nerves 10-20 min, plexus 20-25 min) and success rate (SONO 90 %, STIM 89 %). Patient satisfaction as measured by block-related pain score (VAS 2 cm), complications (vascular puncture SONO 7 %, STIM 11 %; paresthesia SONO 21 %, STIM 22 %) and patient acceptance (SONO 92 %, STIM 91 %) showed no differences. Performance time was shorter in the SONO group (6.68 ± 1.72 min vs. 8.05 ± 2.58, p = 0.02)., Conclusion: Nerve stimulation-guided axillary plexus blocks performed by trained anesthesiologists may result in similar onset times and success rates compared to ultrasound-guided blocks.

Apart from cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic drugs, many patients scheduled for surgery are taking antidepressive or antipsychotic drugs. Some of these psychiatric drugs may interfere with anesthetics. The anesthesiologist has to decide whether or not to continue the psychiatric medication during the perioperative period. Since the discontinuation of psychiatric drugs may lead to withdrawal syndromes, the decision should be made in accordance with the attending psychiatrist. Should the discontinuation of any psychiatric drug be recommended, it may be prudent to involve the attending surgeon in order to postpone the procedure, since the modification of psychiatric drugs may take several days.Prospective randomized data about the perioperative modification of psychiatric drugs are scarce. Thus, recommendations in this regard must rely on physiological and pharmacological principles, case reports and published expert opinions. In this article we use the available data to answer the question of a journal reader regarding the perioperative modification of Opipramol therapy for a 59-year-old patient scheduled for elective shoulder surgery., (© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York.)

Identification of the right puncture site and the target structures are mandatory in performing nerve blocks. Ultrasound is a new method, that visualizes target structures as well as the injection and spread of local anaesthetic solution. The presented module 3 neurosonography is part of the didactic concept "anaesthesiology focussed sonography" developed by the german society of anaesthesiology and intensive care. It contains all essential nerve blocks of the upper and lower limb. Additionally the structural requirements to provide the course are included., (© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York.)

Modul 2 will provide the theory and practical training of the sonographically guided puncture of central and peripheral veins and arteries. In doing so patients of all age groups are taken into consideration. Combined with the content of the other modules this series of workshops, which was initiated by our society, might be a first step in defining a new core competency of our specialty. The confident use of ultrasound in vascular puncture sharpens our dedicated professional competence and will contribute to continuously improve the quality and safety of anaesthesiologic patient care., (© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York.)

Introduction: Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) is widely used as an adjuvant regional pain therapy in patients undergoing major shoulder surgery and has proved its effectiveness on postoperative pain reduction and opioid-sparing effect., Method: This single-center, prospective, double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled study was to compare the effectiveness of a single-shot and a patient-controlled catheter insertion ISB system after major open-shoulder surgeries. Seventy patients were entered to receive an ISB and a patient-controlled interscalene catheter. The catheter was inserted under ultrasound guidance. Patients were then assigned to receive one of two different postoperative infusions, either 0.2% ropivacaine (catheter group) or normal saline solution (single-shot group) via a disposable patient-controlled infusion pump., Results: The study variables were amount of rescue medication, pain at rest and during physiotherapy, patient satisfaction and incidence of unwanted side effects. The ropivacaine group revealed significantly less consumption of rescue medication within the first 24 h after surgery. Incidence of side effects did not differ between the two groups., Conclusion: Based on our results, we recommend the use of interscalene plexus block in combination with a patient-controlled catheter system under ultrasound guidance only for the first 24 h after major open-shoulder surgery.

Neuromuscular disorders are rare and often not very well diagnosed diseases. They can be separated in prejunctional, junctional or postjunctional diseases. General anesthesia is connected with a higher risk, therefore regional anesthesia could often be regarded with favour and could be a safe alternative. Because of the lack of systematically studies and guidelines the decision choosing a regional anesthesia is always a risk-benefit-analysis. This and also the detailed preoperative neurological status must, because of forensic reason, exactly be documented., ((c) Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart-New York.)

Ultrasound is used in anaesthesia for diagnostic and interventional reasons. This article gives the anaesthesiolgoist an overview about the relevant indications for ultrasound in non-cardiac surgical patients. Other chapters will focus in more detail on different aspects of ultrasound use in non-cardiac anaesthesia. Echocardiography is a monitoring tool for cardiac structures and function. In the anaesthetized patient the transoesophageal approach is preferred due to the unrestricted ultrasound view to the heart. Its use for non-cardiac surgery is discussed. The use of transcutaneous ultrasound in anaesthesia is mainly interventional: The puncture rate for vascular access e.g. central venous catheterization is higher and the procedure can be performed safer under continuous sonographic guidance. Nerve blockade under direct visualisation of target and accompanying structures has amplified the regional anaesthetic methods. The major nerve blocks are described and discussed.

Surfactant depletion is most often used to study acute respiratory failure in animal models. Because model stability is often criticized, the authors tested the following hypotheses: Repeated pulmonary lavage with normal saline provides stable experimental conditions for 24 hours with a PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 300 mm Hg. Lung injury was induced by bilateral pulmonary lavages in 8 female pigs (51.5 +/- 4.8 kg). The animals were ventilated for 24 hours (PEEP: 5 cm H2O; tidal volume: 6 mL/kg; respiratory rate: 30/min). After 24 hours the animals were euthanized. For histopathology slides from all pulmonary lobes were obtained. Supernatant of the bronchoalveolar fluid collected before induction of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and after 24 hours was analyzed. A total of 19 +/- 6 lavages were needed to induce ARDS. PaO2/FiO2 ratio and pulmonary shunt fraction remained significantly deteriorated compared to baseline values after 24 hours (P < .01). Slight to moderate histopathologic changes were detected. Significant increases of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 were observed after 24 hours (P < .01). The presented surfactant depletion-based lung injury model was associated with increased pulmonary inflammation and fulfilled the criteria of acute ling injury (ALI) for 24 hours.

Purpose: We examined the feasibility of a newly developed handheld ultrasound device capable of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)., Materials and Methods: Prospective case series in a non-cardiac surgical intensive care unit including 18 deeply sedated and endotracheally intubated critically ill non-cardiac surgical patients. The imaging quality and findings of a newly developed handheld device were compared to those of a cart-based standard TEE system. All patients were examined with both systems in a randomized order by independent examiners performing a structured and complete TEE examination. The imaging quality of the standard cardiac cross sections and spectral Doppler studies of the cardiac valves was assessed on an analog scale from 1 (excellent) to 5 (insufficient). The time requirements for each study were documented., Results: We did not detect significant differences in two-dimensional imaging. Continuous-wave Doppler imaging of the left ventricular outflow tract and pulsed-wave Doppler imaging of the transmitral flow were significantly better (p <0.001) with the standard system., Conclusion: Handheld TEE is a goal-oriented diagnostic tool, which may sufficiently replace a standard cart-based TEE system in unstable critically ill patients when an acute gross diagnosis is required.

Introduction: In vitro contracture testing to diagnose malignant hyperthermia (MH) susceptibility requires a muscle biopsy, which may be associated with severe side effects for the patient. After investigation of several different protocols, we present a less invasive metabolic test that involves IM injection of caffeine and halothane, and subsequent measurement of interstitial lactate to differentiate between MH susceptible (MHS) and MH non-susceptible (MHN) individuals., Methods: Two microdialysis probes with attached microtubing for trigger injection were inserted into the lateral vastus muscle of eight previously diagnosed MHS patients (representing three genetic variants Gly2434Arg, Thr2206Met, and Arg614Cys), seven MHN patients, and seven control individuals. After equilibration and lactate baseline recording, a single bolus of 200 muL caffeine 80 mM and a suspension of 200 muL halothane 4%V/V in soy bean oil (triggers) were injected locally. Lactate was measured spectrophotometrically. Data are presented as medians and interquartile ranges., Results: Although baseline lactate values were similar in the investigated groups before trigger injection, caffeine increased local lactate in MHS patients significantly more (2.0 [1.8-2.6] mM) than in MHN (0.8 [0.6-1.1] mM) or in control individuals (0.8 [0.6-0.8 mM]). Similarly, halothane lead to a significant lactate increase in MHS compared to MHN and control individuals (8.6 [3.7-8.9] mM vs 0.9 [0.5-1.1] mM and 1.7 [0.9-2.3] mM, respectively). However, a relevant increase of lactate was observed in one MHN and in two control individuals. Systemic hemodynamic and metabolic variables did not differ between the investigated groups., Discussion: Metabolic monitoring of IM lactate after local caffeine and halothane injection may allow less invasive testing to detect MH susceptibility, without systemic side effects.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of ultrasound guided vascular access in pigs by comparing central venous and arterial cannulation techniques., Animals: Twenty-two healthy female Pietrain pigs, 14-18 weeks old and weighing 51.1 +/- 4.3 kg (mean +/- SD)., Study Design: Comparative animal trial., Materials and Methods: After induction of general anaesthesia, cannulation of the external jugular vein and internal carotid artery was attempted using real-time ultrasound guidance. The quality of the ultrasound picture was assessed on an analogue scale from 1 (excellent) to 5 (insufficient). Vessel size, cannulation success rate, number of puncture attempts and time from first puncture attempt until insertion of the Seldinger wire were recorded., Results: Cannulation was successful in all but one animal in which a cut-down technique was performed. The arteries were significantly smaller than the veins (p < 0.001) resulting in a significantly prolonged cannulation time (p = 0.032) for insertion of arterial catheters without differences in success rate. In 89% of attempted cannulations, the Seldinger wire was inserted within 5 minutes., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: In anaesthetized pigs undergoing instrumentation for biomedical research, ultrasound-guided vascular access is a simple and rapid alternative to surgical cut-down. In veterinary anaesthesia, the technique might be useful in sedated or anesthetized pigs in which arterial or central venous access is required.

Almost 50 % of all patients that are evaluated preoperatively by an anesthesiologist are receiving concurrent medication. Many of the prescribed drugs can be omitted during the perioperative period. However, perioperative cessation of certain drug therapies may cause decompensation of primarily compensated diseases. After reading this CME article, the reader should be able to decide whether any cardiovascular, pulmonary or antidiabetic drug therapy should be continued or ceased during the perioperative period, respectively.

Background: The authors hypothesized that intramuscular sevoflurane injection allows diagnostic differentiation between malignant hyperthermia-susceptible (MHS) and -nonsusceptible (MHN) pigs by measurement of intramuscular lactate and carbon dioxide partial pressure (PCO2), and that dantrolene reduces the sevoflurane-induced PCO2 increase., Methods: With approval of the local animal care committee, microdialysis probes with attached microtubing for sevoflurane injection were placed in the adductor muscles of nine MHS and six MHN pigs, and PCO2 probes with microtubing were positioned in the triceps muscle of eight MHS and six MHN pigs. After equilibration, sevoflurane boluses at different concentrations and a sevoflurane-dantrolene bolus were injected synchronously. Lactate, pyruvate, and glucose as well as PCO2 were measured spectrophotometrically, and the rate of PCO2 increase was calculated., Results: Intramuscular sevoflurane injection increased local lactate and PCO2 dose dependently, and significantly higher in MHS than in MHN pigs. Measurement of the rate of PCO2 increase allowed a distinct differentiation between single MHS and MHN pigs. No significant increase in PCO2 was found with sevoflurane and dantrolene., Conclusions: Local sevoflurane induces a hypermetabolic reaction measured by PCO2 and lactate increases. The reduced PCO2 increase in MHS after sevoflurane and dantrolene injection is likely to be a result of the sevoflurane-mediated calcium release and its antagonism by dantrolene. Sevoflurane may be useful for a less invasive diagnostic test for malignant hyperthermia in humans.

Paediatric neurosurgical procedures request special considerations for the anaesthetic management. Due to patients age and diagnostic findings certain therapeutic procedures are performed under anaesthetic care. Main reasons for craniotomy are hydrocephalus, intracranial tumors and craniofacial synostosis. Neurosurgical therapy of newborn children is related mostly to hereditary spinal dysraphism. In spinal surgery and specific intracranial procedures for monitoring reasons sensory and/or motor evoked potentials (SEP, MEP) are used to improve surgical outcome. Due to sensibility for anaesthetic drugs these techniques request sound knowledge of physiologic and pharmacologic interaction. Cerebrovascular malformations are today usually treated using radiologic interventional procedures. Operative access will be performed for selected cases additionally to embolization, but is associated with risk of massive bleeding. Severe traumatic craniocerebral injury leads to compromised cerebral blood flow and hypoxic ischemia. The article imparts funded knowledge of surgical as well as anaesthetic rationale and techniques in neuropaediatric therapies.

This prospective large-animal study was performed to evaluate the contribution of arterio-venous extracorporeal lung assist (AV-ECLA) to pulmonary gas exchange in a porcine lavage-induced acute lung injury model. Fifteen healthy female pigs, weighing 50.3 +/- 3.8 kg (mean +/- SD), were included. After induction of general anaesthesia and controlled ventilation, an arterial line and a pulmonary artery catheter were inserted. Saline lung lavage was performed until the PaO2 decreased to 51 +/- 16 mmHg. After a stabilization period of 60 min, the femoral artery and vein were cannulated and a low-resistance membrane lung was interposed. Under apnoeic oxygenation, variations of sweep-gas flow were performed every 20 min in order to evaluate the membrane lung's efficacy, in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) removal and oxygen (O2) uptake. Although AV-ECLA is highly effective in eliminating CO2, if combined with apnoeic oxygenation, normocapnia was not achievable. AV-ECLA's contribution to oxygenation during severe hypoxemia was antagonized by a significant increase in the pulmonary shunt fraction.

In anaesthetic practise ultrasound can facilitate cannulation of veins and arteries not only in adults but also in children. It is the main advantage and safety feature of this technique, that the targeted vessels and the surrounding anatomical structures are visualized and that the needle is advanced under continuous observation. Moreover, its systematic use can reduce the rate of unsuccessful cannulation attempts, which can be caused by anatomical variations or thrombi, occluding the targeted vessel. Ultrasound guided vascular cannulation can decrease complication rates and might improve patients safety e.g. by avoiding puncture of the carotid artery. However, in order to pass on these potential benefits to the patient and justify the increased expenses related to the purchasing of preferably portable ultrasound systems, it is mandatory to offer an appropriate ultrasound training programs for physicians using this technique.

Without miniaturization resulting in affordable hand-held ultrasound systems, ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia would not be practicable. Nowadays facilitation of nerve blockade by means of ultrasound is achievable even in remote locations. Non-traumatic technique, visualisation of nerves, surrounding structures and the ability to assess the spread of the injected local anaesthetic combined with a high and predictable success rate are the major advantages when ultrasound is used in regional anaesthetic practise. After a short recapitulation of physical principles related to ultrasound this article focuses on the specific features related to ultrasound-guided identification and blockade of peripheral nerves. Technical pitfalls and their implications for a successful nerve block are put into perspective. Ultrasound can be used to facilitate blockade of the upper and lower extremity. The advantages and limitations of the technique when applied to the classical approaches for blockade of the brachial plexus and the femoral and ischiadic nerve are discussed. Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia is a valuable tool to improve safety, success rate and patient comfort in daily anaesthetic practise.

Aim: Microdialysis allows the biochemical analysis of interstitial fluids as a bedside procedure. This technique is of interest to evaluate the glucose dependent metabolism in hypoglycaemic patients. It was the aim to perform subcutaneous and blood microdialysis during hypoglycaemic clamp experiments in 12 healthy young men to reveal basis data for critical care microdialysis practice., Methods: The hyperinsulinaemic clamp was induced with a continuous infusion of 1.5 mU min(-1) kg(-1) insulin (H-insulin, Hoechst, Frankfurt, Germany). A 20% dextrose solution simultaneously was infused at a variable rate to control blood glucose levels. For hypoglycaemia blood glucose levels were reduced to 40 mg/dL for a 30 min period. Glucose, lactate, pyruvate and glycerol concentrations were semicontinuously measured., Results: The absolute concentrations of glucose and glycerol in blood vs subcutaneous microdialysate were significant different during observation. Until the end of hypoglycaemia, glucose concentration in both compartments declined in parallel, followed by an increase thereafter. During the clamp the subcutaneous glycerol increased threefold, whereas blood glycerol rose with a delay of 15 min and increased only twofold. After the clamp in both compartments glycerol values normalized. The lactate-pyruvate-ratio persisted in normal range throughout the examination., Conclusions: In our experiment subcutaneous lipolysis increased faster and more profound than blood microdialysis. We propose the microdialysis technique as an additional monitoring tool in hypoglycaemia patients.

The development of low resistance oxygenators widens the therapeutic options for patients with acute respiratory failure (ARDS). Pumpless arteriovenous interventional lung assist systems (ILA) can be used in a subgroup of patients with ARDS. ILA might be indicated in earlier stages of ARDS following a multimodal treatment approach.

Surgical procedures in the region of the shoulder joint are among the most painful interventions in orthopedic practice. For this reason, in addition to intravenous pain therapy with opioids, blockade of the brachial plexus has become established as an effective method to provide analgesia.High-resolution ultrasound offers the possibility of performing nerve blockades under visual monitoring. Studies on interscalene blockade performed under sonographic control provide evidence for both the high efficacy and safety of the procedure. Clinically manifest signs of nerve damage have not appeared with use of this method. Smaller operations can usually be adequately managed with perioperative single-shot blockade. More extensive operations for which severe pain lasting for several days can be expected and surgical interventions involving preexistent shoulder stiffness necessitate catheterization for uninterrupted pain therapy. Successful rehabilitation after shoulder surgery requires diligent perioperative pain blockade, which can primarily be provided by interscalene plexus blockade.

Background: High resolution ultrasound is a possible option for anesthetists to detect nerves. We tested the possibility of imaging the sciatic nerve and its division into the tibial and peroneal part using high resolution ultrasound in children., Methods: Twelve children up to 45 kg body weight were randomly selected. Using a handheld ultrasound system with a 10 MHz linear array probe the popliteal fossa and the back of the thigh were examined and measured. The sciatic nerve and its division were depicted by ultrasound., Results: The sciatic nerve and its division could be displayed in all children. The position of the nerve division showed large anatomical variation., Conclusions: Ultrasound opens a window to detect the anatomy of the sciatic nerve in children. In addition, the surrounding anatomical structures can also be depicted. The results suggest a possibility of safe placement of a cannula for blockade of the sciatic nerve under visual control.

Background and Objective: Catheterization of the internal jugular vein is traditionally performed with the patient lying flat or in the Trendelenburg position. This puts patients with elevated intracranial pressure at risk of cerebral herniation. The objective of this study was to assess the safety of real-time ultrasound-guided catheterization of the internal jugular vein in ventilated patients with the patient positioned in a 30 degrees head-up position., Methods: This prospective, single-centre case series was performed in a 12-bed multi-disciplinary adult intensive care unit (ICU) in a 1500-bed university hospital. The cohort consisted of 64 ventilated ICU patients (14 female, 50 male) with a median age of 52 yr (range 18-85 yr), needing central venous cannulation for insertion of a central venous, haemodialysis or pulmonary artery catheter. The majority of patients presented with risk factors for a difficult cannulation. Catheterization was performed using real-time ultrasound guidance with all patients positioned in 30 degrees dorsal elevation., Results: Ultrasound-guided cannulation of the internal jugular vein was successful in all patients. There was no evidence of air embolism. Despite a high incidence of anomalous anatomy (39%) no injury to the carotid artery occurred. Central venous access was established in less than 1 min in 75% of patients., Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided cannulation of the internal jugular vein in ventilated ICU patients can be performed successfully with the patient positioned in 30 degrees dorsal elevation. Potentially deleterious position changes can thus be avoided in high-risk patients.

Remaining superior osteophytes or osseous spurs after arthroscopic lateral clavicle resection can cause persistent pain and could lead to revision surgery. A new method of intraoperative ultrasonographic imaging of the result of the operation during arthroscopic lateral clavicle resection is presented. In 10 patients with acromioclavicular arthritis, standardized arthroscopic lateral clavicle resection was performed. Intraoperatively, the space between the clavicle and the acromion was measured before and after arthroscopic acromioclavicular resection using a Sonosite 180 plus (SonoSite, Bothell, WA) with a 10-MHz broadband linear array in a sterile bag. The width of the joint space between the clavicle and the acromion was between 0.38 and 0.56 cm before operation and 0.92 cm and 1.28 cm after operation (nine cases). In one case, the anticipated minimum resection of 0.5 cm was not achieved at the sonographic measurement and further resection was required. Real-time ultrasonography allows exact measurement of the amount of resected bone during arthroscopic lateral clavicle resection. This could avoid revision surgery resulting from persisting disability caused by insufficient or extensive bone resection.