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Background and Aims: Video Stylet (VS) is a new intubating modality that provides real-time video of endotracheal intubation (ETI). This device does not need alignment of the oral, pharyngeal and tracheal axes to view glottis and can be used in patients with limited mouth opening. The aim of this study was to compare flexible fibre-optic (FO) bronchoscope with VS in elective surgical patients in apparently normal airway patients requiring oral ETI. Methods: Sixty patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia of age group 20-60 years, weight 40-70 kg, American Society of Anesthesiologist 1 and 2 and modified Mallampatti I and II were included in the study. Patients in group FO (n = 30) were intubated by flexible FO bronchoscope, whereas patients in group VS (n = 30) were intubated by VS. Primary outcome measure was time taken for intubation (TTI). Secondary outcome measures were successful intubation, haemodynamic response and post-operative complications if any. Results: Average TTI in cases of FO group was 38.2 s (95% confidence interval [CI] 36-41) and in VS group was 19.7 s (95% CI 19-21; P = 0.0001). Three patients required a second attempt for successful intubation in FO group compared to eight in VS group (P = 0.2), with no failures in any group. Haemodynamic response and complications rate were greater in VS group; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: VS takes lesser time to intubate than flexible FO bronchoscope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Bupivacaine has been the most frequently used local anaesthetic in brachial plexus block, but ropivacaine has also been successfully tried in the recent past. It is less cardiotoxic, less arrhythmogenic, less toxic to the central nervous system than bupivacaine, and it has intrinsic vasoconstrictor property. The effects of clonidine have been studied in peripheral nerve blockade. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of clonidine on nerve blockade during brachial plexus block with ropivacaine using peripheral nerve stimulator. Methods: Sixty patients were randomly divided into two groups, Group A and B. Group A received 30 ml of 0.5% of ropivacaine with 0.5 ml normal saline while Group B received same amount of ropivacaine with 0.5 ml (equivalent to 75 |ig) of clonidine for supraclavicular brachial plexus block. The groups were compared regarding quality of sensory and motor blockade, duration of post-operative analgesia and intra and post-operative complications. Results: There was a significant increase in duration of motor and sensory block and analgesia in Group B as compared to Group A patients (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in onset time in either group (P = 0.304). No significant side effects were noted. Conclusion: The addition of 75 |ig of clonidine to ropivacaine for brachial plexus block prolongs motor and sensory block and analgesia without significant side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case series of five patients suffering with severe post-burn contracture. It mentions that because of the anatomical abnormalities caused by severe contracture around neck region, the assessment of thyromental distance and sternomental distance was difficult. It also mentions that their Cormack and Lehane grading was assessed by performing laryngoscopy with Macintosh blade. It also discusses the uses of the Airtaq optical laryngoscope.

Abstract: Meningocele is a neural tube defect where meninges protrude through a skeletal defect. Occipital meningocele compounded with the problems of paediatric airway itself pose challenges to anaesthesiologist in securing and maintaining airway. We present a case report of a 3month-old-child with occipital meningocele posted for ventriculo-peritoneal shunt for hydrocephalus, who was successfully intubated using a size 1 Airtraq optical laryngoscope. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Airway management in patients of ankylosing spondylitis remains a challenge for anaesthesiologists. Many new airway devices have been used for securing airway in these patients. The Airtraq® optical laryngoscope is one of the new rigid laryngoscopes with a proximal view finder that reflects an image transferred from the distal tip of the blade through a series of lenses, prisms and mirrors. We report two cases of ankylosing spondylitis who were scheduled for total hip replacement and subtotal thyroidectomy and were successfully intubated using the Airtraq® laryngoscope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Awake airtraq intubation in plexiform neurofibroma of face: A new experience," in the January-February 2013 issue.

The article discusses the case of a 37-year-old man who was scheduled for exploratory laparotomy. The patient was a diagnosed case of acute intestinal obstruction and he was conscious and without any medical comorbidity. Surgery was postponed due to several reasons including the failure of the first intubation attempt.

Background and Objectives: Managing the airway of post burn contracture of the neck has always been challenging to anesthesiologists as it limits the alignment of oro-pharyngo-laryngeal axes because of functional and anatomical deformities that occur as a result of long standing contractures. Here the role of the King Vision video laryngoscope which is the latest in the series of video laryngoscope has been evaluated for such patients., Case Report: A 35 year old male patient with post burn contracture of neck was scheduled for release of the contracture. As the patient had had fixed flexion deformity of the neck we did not attempt the conventional laryngoscopy. Instead we opted for King Vision video laryngoscope., Conclusion: We therefore conclude that King Vision videolaryngoscope can be used for difficult airway situations like post burn contracture of neck., (Copyright © 2015 Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia. Publicado por Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objectives: Lipoma is a progressively increasing disease which may appear anywhere in the body. Its appearance at the back of the neck, especially when it is large enough to cause restriction of neck extension, poses challenges to anesthesiologists in airway management whenever needed. This paper evaluates the role of Airtraq® in restricted neck movement., Case Report: Case with a huge lipoma of 14×12cm at the nape, and its surgical removal during an elective operation theatre posed difficulty in securing the airway by conventional laryngoscopy. To overcome the problem we successfully used a newly developed device, the Airtraq®, which is an optical laryngoscope for securing the airway., Conclusion: Airtraq® can be used for elective intubation in patients with restricted neck movements., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)