CAUDAL EPIDURAL BLOCK, A REVIEW.

CEB is a commonly performed anaesthetic procedure to provide intra operative and postoperative analgesia in children undergoing lower limb and abdominal surgeries. It is a simple and highly effective technique useful for most of the surgical  procedures of the lower half of the body,  like urinary tract surgeries,circumcision, herniorrhaphies, orthopedic surgeries on the lower limb and pelvis, or operations of the anus or rectum.Excellent surgical conditions are obtained in congenital talipus equino varus(CTEV) surgery when combined with light general anaesthesia.The technique can be successfully used in children, as the fluidity of the epidural fat is more compared to adults, allowing easy spread of the deposited solution. Moreover if lumbar or thoracic anaesthesia is required, an epidural  catheter can be threaded and advanced easily to achieve analgesia at the desired dermatomal level.

Anatomical Landmarks:

The sacrum is a large triangular piece of bone formed by fusion of the 5 sacral vertebrae. The lamina of the fifth  and mostly of the 4th vertebra fails to fuse in the midline creating a deficiency known as sacral hiatus, which can be palpated by running your finger upwards tracing the segments of the coccyx from below. The hiatus can be easily palpated in children as the land marks are  more clear. The contents of the sacral canal include[1]

• The sacral and coccygeal nerves with their dorsal root ganglia
• The terminal part of the dural sac which ends between  S1 and S3 and from where the pia mater extends downwards as filum terminale.
• A venous plexus formed by the extension of internal vertebral plexus.
• loose areolar and fatty tissue.
• The filum terminale - the terminal fibres of  the spinal cord which does not contain nerves. This exits through the sacral hiatus and is attached posterior to coccyx.

Pediatric considerations:  In infants or small children sacrum is cartilaginous which can allow for inadvertent intra-osseous injection.Also the spinal cord reaches L3-4 in the neonate and the dural sac can be found at S3-4. This increases the risk of  inadvertent dural puncture or spinal cord injury. Adult levels of L1 and S1 are usually reached by 1 year of age. Up to 6-7 years of age good results are observed.As the age advances the axis of the sacrum in relation to the lumbosacral spines changes and the hiatus is difficult to access or even fuse. The sacrococcygeal ligaments are tough or calcified.Hence the procedure may be difficult in adulthood.
The volume of the sacral canal averages 14.4 mL, but varies from 9.5 to 26.6 mL.

Drugs and dosages: Most commonly used drugs are lignocaine and bupivacaine Additives may be used to enhance analgesia, relaxation or prolongation of effect.For practical purposes the dosage suggested by Armitage may be used which is simple and easy to remember.

Armitage Formula:

Bupivacaine, max dose 2.5 mg/kg without adrenaline and 3mg/kg with adrenaline(1:200000)
0.5 ml/kg for a lumbosacral block
1 ml/kg for a thoraco-lumbar block
1.25 ml/kg for a midthoracic block
(0.25% Bupivacaine up to a maximum of 20ml, for analgesia and 0.5% if motor block is desired.)

Lignocaine max dose 7mg/kg without adrenaline and 10 mg/kg with adrenaline

0.5 ml/kg for lumbosacral block
1ml/kg for thoracolumbar block
1.5 ml/kg for mid thoracic block
(Maximum of 20ml, 1% for analgesia and 2 % for motor block)

If more than 1ml/kg (to a maximum of 20 ml) needs to be given it is preferable to avoid caudal route and go for a higher epidural route(for lesser volume of drug) as it is observed that large volumes of caudal drug spread rostrally above T4. According to bromage;[2] anesthetic dose requirements are about 0.1 mL/ segment/year of age for 1% lidocaine or 0.25% bupivacaine.

Scott’s Calculation:

Calculates the dose based on the child’s age and/or weight table.If the child is of average weight for his or her height, both figures will be the same.Avoid this formula in obese children to prevent overdosage.

In premature infants successful caudal anaesthesia can be performed with  1 mL/kg of 0.375% bupivacaine, for surgeries like inguinal herniorrhaphy, orchiopexy, and circumcision.

Identification of the sacral hiatus  and the procedure of the block:

The procedure must be carried out under strict aseptic precautions,

Patient position:

Lateral position in children or prone position (desirable) for adults.The pelvis is elevated with the help of a pillow and the thighs are little extended The legs turned in wards,(internally rotated ). This makes the identification of the hiatus more easy by relaxing gluteal muscles. Look at figure 2B.

The standard technique as described by Miller is shown below:[3]

Caudal anesthesia requires identification of the sacral hiatus. The sacrococcygeal ligament (i.e.,extension of ligamentum flavum) overlying the sacral hiatus lies between the sacral cornua. To facilitate locating the cornua, the posterior superior iliac spines should be located and, by using the line between them as one side of an equilateral triangle, the location of the sacral hiatus should be approximated After the sacral hiatus is identified, the index and middle fingers of the palpating hand are placed on the sacral cornua,

and the caudal needle is inserted at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the sacrum.

While advancing the needle, a decrease in resistance to needle insertion should be appreciated as the needle enters the caudal canal. The needle is advanced until bone (i.e., dorsal aspect of the ventral plate of the sacrum) is contacted and then slightly withdrawn, and the needle is redirected so that the angle of insertion relative to the skin surface is decreased. In male patients, this angle is almost parallel to the coronal plane; in female patients, a slightly steeper angle (15 degrees) is necessary. During redirection of the needle and after loss of resistance is again encountered, the needle is advanced approximately 1 to 2 cm into the caudal canal.

Performance of caudal block.[6] SC, sacral cornua; PSIS, posterior superior iliac spine; SH, sacral hiatus; TC, tip of coccyx. Note that an equilateral triangle is formed with the fingertips from PSIS to PSIS to needle insertion at SH.(By courtesy of    Cristian TANASE,Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children “Grigore Alexandrescu” Bucharest.)

Further advance is not attempted because dural puncture and unintentional intravascular cannulation become more likely. One method of increasing the likelihood of correct caudal needle placement is to inject 5 mL of saline rapidly through the caudal needle while palpating the skin overlying the sacrum. If no midline bulge is detected, the needle is probably positioned correctly. In contrast, if a midline bulge is detected during saline injection, the needle is positioned incorrectly.

Simple teaching: [2] The sacral hiatus can be located by first palpating the coccyx, and then sliding the palpating finger in a cephalad direction  until a depression in the skin is felt.  Once the sacral hiatus is identified the area above is carefully cleaned with antiseptic solution, and a 22 gauge short bevelled cannula or needle is directed at about 45° to skin and inserted till a "click" is felt as the sacro-coccygeal ligament is pierced. The needle is then carefully directed in a cephalad direction at an angle approaching the long axis of the spinal canal.

1).Palpate the coccyx with the index finger of the left hand

2).Slide the palpating finger cephalad

3).Feel the depression.

4).Keep the finger at the hiatus and turn the hand  at 80 degrees anchoring the index finger at the hitus

5).Hold the syringe filled with the drug in right hand.

1)Pierce the  SC ligament by entering into it at 45 degree angle

2)Carefully advance and feel for the "click"

3)Once the click is felt  lower the needle almost parallel to the coronal plane (along the long axis of the spinal canal)
4)Advance the needle  further 1-2 cm into the caudal canal.

Instead of using the needle alone , a syringe filled with 1-2 ml saline may be attached to it.Once the caudal canal is entered, the saline can be injected freely without any resistance. Air should not be used for this loss of resistance technique as the incidence of air embolism is high in children.Once the canal is identified local anaesthetic test dose may be given to rule out accidental  intravascular or dural puncture.

Continuous caudal anaesthesia may be given by inserting an epidural catheter through an indwelling cannula  or a 20 gauge touhy needle used to puncture.Remember that the catheter can be threaded easily because of the fluidity of loose areolar tissues in children  and catheter tip in mid thoracic or higher level may lead on to a higher level of block.Measuring the catheter with the length of spine may be used as a rough guide to decide on how far the catheter to be inserted.Tunnelling the catheter on the back using a touhy needle helps to secure the catheter  and prevent fecal contamination of the entry site as well.

How to identify the caudal space and to ensure the correct placement of catheter.

• Ease of injection by loss of resistance technique
• Absence of a cutaneous bulging over the injection site
• Test dose, A small amount of local anaesthetic should be injected as a test dose (2-4mls).Look for peri oral tingling or numbness,or hypotension  Also look for lower lumbar segment motor block. If the test is negative proceed with injection.
• Aspiration test  for either CSF or blood.[2] A negative aspiration test does not exclude intravascular or intrathecal placement. The injection rate should not exceed 10 ml/30 seconds.[3] During injection also watch for acute toxicity
• The whoosh test and modified swoosh test(see below)
• Flouroscopy(see below)
• Nerve stimulation test,the presence or absence of anal sphincter contraction to electrical stimulation is used as a guide for correct needle placement (using epidural nerve stimulators)
• Ultrasound.(see below)

The whoosh test  and modified swoosh test:[4]

The whoosh test is done by injection of air into the caudal epidural space with simultaneous auscultation over the thoracolumbar spine for an audible "whoosh" sound.Injection of air is associated with side effects like neurological complicaions and air embolism. So is being replaced by swoosh test where saline or the LA solution is used instead of air.1-1.5 ml of air or saline is used.

Fluoroscopy: is most commonly used in interventional spine procedures and is frequently used in confirming the location of caudal epidural needle[6]. It is necessary  that caudal epidural needle placement should be confirmed by fluoroscopy alone or by epidurography when the procedure is used for caudal epidural injection of steroids for treating chronic pain syndromes.

Exposure to radiation is one hazard of flouroscopic confrmation and proper precautions to be taken.This include proper schielding, reducing exposure time and using pulsed imaging.

Ultrasound: Combined with fluoroscopy ultrasound gives almost 100% accuracy in placement of the needle.As an adjuvant tool ultrasound is useful along with other methods in difficult cases  and when successful placement is mandatory.Ultrasound is radiation free, is easy to use, and can provide real-time images in guiding the caudal epidural needle into the caudal epidural space.[6]Sterile precautions are taken before probe placement and a transverse view of the sacral hiatus is made first by placing the transducer transversely at the midline over hiatus.The hiatus is seen as a hypoechoic region between two hyper echoic shadows, the SC ligament and the dorsal bony surface. Then a longitudinal view is made by keeping the transducer between the sacral cornua,and a needle is inserted and advanced under sonographic guidance in real time.The portion of the needle which entered into the canal may not be seen clearly.Again the transducer is rotated to view the transverse axis where the needle tip may be visualised as a small round hyper echoic structure between the two hyperechoic cornua  and within the two hyper echoic bands formed by the SC ligament and the dorsal bony wall of sacrum.
Images below are reproduced from  Chen, Carl P. C. M.D.; Tang, Simon F. T. M.D,Anesthesiology:July 2004 - Volume 101 - Issue 1 - pp 181-184[7] where a detailed description of the procedure is available

                     
Adjuvants used along with Local Anaesthetics:  Adjuvants are used to intensify the block ,to reduce systemic absorption or to prolong the action.The commonly used adjuvants are,

Opioids :Prolong analgesia in infants and children but with attendant risks of respiratory depression and side effects like nausea vomiting and itching. It can produce urinary retention also. Hence  morphine administration should be done under monitoring  of vitals. Catheterization may sometimes be  required. A dose of 50mcg/kg of preservative free morphine or diamorphine 30mcg/kg can be added to the local anesthetic solution[8].The optimal dose is between  33-50 μg/kg.[9] This will provide 12 to 24 hours of analgesia.Fentanyl 1-2 ug/kg may be also used but with unpredictable duration of action.
Clonidine:  An α2-adrenergic agonist,. A dose of 0.5-1.0 microgram/kg improves the quality and duration of analgesia without significant side effects[8]The analgesia may last upto 12 hours.Sedation and bradycardia are noted at doses above 5mic/kg.
Ketamine: An NMDA antagonist. In doses of 0.25 - 1.0 mg/kg, causes significant prolongation of  post operative analgesia, without significant side effects. May be combined with 0.25%bupivacaine.Preservative free ketamine is preferred.  Higher  doses (>0.5mg/kg) may produce neuroleptic side effects
Epinephrine: 5 mic/ml of epinephrine is used to detect intravascular placement of catheter or needle.It also prolongs the duration of action of LA by local vasoconstriction and thereby delaying uptake and metabolism.
Continuous epidural anaesthesia:  is possible by inserting a catheter into the caudal space, through an indwelling cannula or a touhy needle.The initial dose may be 0.05ml/seg/kg[10]

• Less than 1 year of age 0.1-0.2ml/kg/hr of 0.1% bupivacaine
• more than 1 year 0.1% bupivacaine with 3 microgram/ml of fentanyl  at the rate of 0.1-0.4ml/kg/hr, (less than 0.5microgram/kg/hr of fentanyl to start with.)[11]Ropivacaine is used at the dose of 0.4mg/kg/hr

Pharmacological Considerations:

Local anaesthetics are classified into two groups, amides and esters. the amides are metabolised in liver  while the esters are hydrolysed by esterases in the plasma.Since newborn and pediatric liver functions are immature and not fully functional the metabolism of amides is  not complete and the un metabolised fraction can produce toxic reactions. Another factor which contributes to toxicity is the reduction in plasma proteins like albumin and alpha 1 acid glycoprotein resulting in excess free fraction of the drugs in plasma. On the contrary  the volume of distribution of local anaesthetics is more in children compared to adults causing a reduction plasma concentrarion of these drugs and  which may nullify the effect of reduced elimination allowing higher doses.For eg:The maximum safe dose of bupivacaine in neonates is 1.5mg/kg.Other Local anaesthetic drugs which may be used for caudal include Ropivacaine 0.2- 2 mg/kg and Levobupivacaine 0.25- 1 mg/kg with slight increase in duration of action.Pregnant patients need 25-35% reduction in dose requirements for labour analgesia due to engorged epidural veins reducing space.Caudal blockade in pediatrics is used primarily for perioperative pain control, whereas in adults it is primarily for chronic pain management. [12]

Combination with GA: For intra and post operative pain relief and to reduce the requirement of depressant general anaesthetic agents for rapid and smooth recovery, caudal is combined with GA, The procedure is ideal for children as  positioning after induction is easy and the success rate is high. Inhalational  or iv induction then securing airway with LMA or ETT, is followed by caudal injection.The disadvantage being, failure of detection of LA toxicity or high block in an anaesthetised child.Careful monitoring of vitals mandatory.The effectiveness of the block is determined by "loss of anal sphincter tone".[13]
Indications(Uses) :

• Apart from the usual indications mentioned above the caudal block is highly useful for emergency surgical procedures like,testicular torsion, omphalocele correction,strangulated hernias,high risk neonates for anorectal and abdominal surgeries,biliary tract surgeries and operative procedures on stomach (especially when a catheter is  threaded to  deposit the drug at higher dermatomes)
• Ambulatory and day care minor surgeries where fast-traching is desired.
• For combining with General anaesthesia to provide stable hemodynamics, adequate analgesia  and to reduce the requirement of general anaesthetic agents, in surgeries of abdomen, lower thorax or even open heart procedures.
• Continuous epidural analgesia can be provided with a catheter in caudal space for long surgical procedures like orthopedic corrective surgeries or plastic surgery procedures of the lower limb. 
• Percutaneous epidural neuroplasty is a technique of administering local anesthetics, corticosteroids, hyaluronidase, and hypertonic saline through a caudal catheter for the purpose of lysing epidural adhesions. [13]

Advantages over conventional  epidural anaesthesia:

• Easy location because of the prominent anatomical landmarks, helps to establish the block  faster
• Reduced incidence of failed or patchy blocks
• Predictable distribution of LA solution 
• Easy to place a catheter

Side effects:

• Failed block , the incidence is as high as 5-20%.Ultrasound guidance helps to increase the success rate
• Predominant unilateral block or patchy block. Lateralisation is due to rapid injection.
• Dural puncture: due to anatomic variation and low lying dura in infants. Sequale is, a total spinal block with dilated pupils, apnea, and unconsciousness.
• Local anaesthetic toxicity  can be either due to intravascular injection or due to overdose resulting in excess plasma concentrations.Since the extradural veins have no valves, retrograde flow is fast once the drug is injected intravascularly.
• Intra osseous injection
• Bleeding
• Introduction of infection.

Contraindications:

• Patient refusal
• local infections,eg: dermattis, pilonidal sinus   
• Coagulation disorders
• Neurologic diseases,Poliomyelitis
• Sensitivity to local anaesthetics
• Increased intra cranial tension  like meningitis, hydrocephalus etc.
• Congenital malformations of lower meninges or spine  eg: spina bifida,  meningo myelocele
• Unstable cardiovascular system, valvular heart diseases

Management of Local Anaesthetic toxicity( in general:)[4]

• Oxygenation, intubation, cardiac massage 
• Sodium bicarbonate hypertonic 4.2%(through central vein preferably) 2ml/kg/10 mts.(1mmol/kg/10mt) or isotonic 1.4% through peripheral vein 6ml/kg/10 mts(1mmol/kg/10mts)
• IV midazolam or diazepam for seizures
• IV atropine 0.02mg/kg
• IV vasoactive agents, epinephrine 0.1ml/kg1/10000 solution (10 microgram/kg) or isoprenaline 0.1 mic/kg
• Dopamine or dobutamine infusion 2-10 mic/kg/mt,
• Calcium chloride 10-30 mg/kg
• Treatment of VF/VT as per ACLS guidelines
• Lipid emulsions IV.

Role of caudal block in pain management:

In radiculopathies refractory to routine management this route is adopted for pain relief. Percutaneous epidural neuroplasty uses a caudal catheter left in place for up to 3 days to inject hypertonic solutions into the epidural space to treat radiculopathy with low back pain and epidural scarring, typically from previous lumbar spinal surgery.[12]After confirmation of epidural space by fluoroscopy  a mixture of drugs consisting of Local anaesthetics, steroids, hyaluronidase, and saline  is injected.Initially1500 units ofhyaluronidase in 10mLof preservative-free saline is injected rapidly. This is followed by an injection of 10 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine and 40 mg of triamcinolone, An additional injection of 9 mL of 10% hypertonic saline is infused over 20 to 30 min. On the second and third days, the local anesthetic (ropivacaine) injection is followed up by the hypertonic saline solution. Antibiotic coverage is provided to reduce the possibility of epidural abscess formation.[12]. The video below illustrates how to conduct an ultrasound guided epidural instillation of steroids to treat chronic pain syndromes.

 

 Reference:

1).NJH Davies, JN Cashman, Lee's Synopsis of Anaesthesia 13 th edition, Butterworth Heineman

2).Bromage PR: Epidural Analgesia. WB Saunders, 1978, pp 258-282
3).Dr.Bela Vadodaria and Dr David Conn, "Update in Anaesthesia"  Issue 8 (1998) Article 3:    http://www.nda.ox.ac.uk/wfsa/html/u08/u08_011.htm
4).Ronald D Miller; Millers anaesthesia, 7th edition, Churchil Livingstone 
5).Anaesthesia.1998 Aug;53(8):829.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9797541

6).  Cristian TANASE, www.umftgm.ro/d_ati/.../Neuraxial%20blocks_engl.pdf

7)..Chen, Carl P. C. M.D.; Tang, Simon F. T. M.D, Pain and Regional AnesthesiaUltrasound Guidance in Caudal Epidural Needle Placement, Anesthesiology:July 2004 - Volume 101 - Issue 1 - pp 181-184
8).Alice Edler MD, MA,Vinit G.Wellis, MD, Caudal Epidural Anaesthesia for paediatric patients,Update in Anaesthesia 1998 No. 8
9).Krane EJ, Tyler DC, Jacobson LE. The dose response of caudal morphine in children. Anesthesiology 1989; 71:48-52.
10.Amr aboulesh(anesthesiology 79:400,1993,) www.cmuh.org.tw/HTML/dept/.../20081119_pedi_regional.pp
11).Amr aboulesh(anesthesiology 79:400,1993,) www.cmuh.org.tw/HTML/dept/.../20081119_pedi_regional.pp.(anesthesia analgesia 75:164, 1992)
12).Kenneth D. Candido, MD and Alon Winnie, MD, Caudal Anaesthesia,;Paediatr Anaesth 2003; 13:31 1317.

13).Verghese S, Mostello L, Patel R: Testing anal sphincter tone predicts the effectiveness of caudal analgesia in children. Anesth Analg 2002:94:1161-1164.

AERW79Q8FZH3

AHA CPR GUIDELINES 2010

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is an emergency life saving procedure consisting of  delivering effective chest compressions and effective ventilations to a victim of cardiac arrest. The American Society of Anesthesiology and European Resuscitation Council have made evidence based guidelines for the efficient and proper conduct of high quality CPR.These guidelines, being revised from time to time according to newer evidences, research and outcome help the primary care provider to offer the best care for the victims of cardiac arrest.The 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC are based on an international evidence evaluation process that involved hundreds of international resuscitation scientists and experts who evaluated, discussed, and debated thousands of peer reviewed publications. Here is the new" guidelines(2010) in nutshell' for CPR from AHA .The major changes have been highlighted.A detailed information  of both ERC and AHA Guidelines, is available from the resuscitation council links  given below.

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT
1.Continued Emphasis on High-Quality CPR:
The 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC once again emphasize the need for high-quality CPR, including

• A compression rate of at least 100/min (a change from“approximately” 100/min) 
• A compression depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) in adults and a compression depth of at least one third of the anteroposterior diameter of the chest in infants and children(approximately 1.5 inches [4 cm] in infants and 2 inches[5 cm] in children). Note that the range of 1½ to 2 inches is no longer used for adults, and the absolute depth specified for children and infants is deeper than in previous versions the AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC
• Allowing for complete chest recoil after each compression
• Minimizing interruptions in chest compressions
• Avoiding excessive(hyper) ventilation

There has been no change in the recommendation for a compression-to-ventilation ratio of 30:2 for single rescuers of adults, children, and infants (excluding newly born infants). The 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC continue to recommend that rescue breaths be given in approximately 1 second. Once
an advanced airway is in place,rescue breaths can  be provided at about 1 breath every 6 to 8 seconds (about 8 to 10 breaths/minute)  and need not be synchronised with chest compressions which  can be
continuous (at a rate of at least 100/min)
2.A Change From A-B-C to C-A-B
The major change made in BLS,    from airway, breathing,and circulation  the sequence has been changed to compression,airway and breathing .This is to aviod delay in delivering fast and effective chest compressions. Securing airway as the initial priority is time consuming and may not be 100% successful, especially by lone rescuers or paramedics.The vast majority of cardiac arrests occur in adults and the commonest causes for arrest are VF or pulseless VT. A witnessed cardiac arrest in these cases can be efficiently reverted with immediate defibrillation and cardiac compressions, which is life saving,  and should be the goal in BLS.. In the A-B-C sequence, chest  compressions are often delayed while the responder opens the airway to give mouth-to-mouth breaths, retrieves a barrier device,or gathers and assembles ventilation equipment.After initiating the emergency response system the next important thing is to start chest compressions.Only infant cpr is an exception to this protocol,where the previous sequence remains unchanged. That means no more looking, listening  and feeling,as this component of assessment is removed from the guidelines. In the C-A-B sequence,chest compressions will be initiated sooner and ventilation only minimally delayed until completion of the first cycle of chest compressions. It was observed that the bystanders of the arrested victims do not actively participate in CPR as they find the first step of a-b-c sequence is difficult to perform. A-B-C starts with the most difficult procedures: opening the airway and delivering rescue breaths and that is the reason why less than one third of the victims in cardiac arrest  receive by stander CPR in a witnessed cardiac arrest.. Hence  a change in sequence to C-A-B
3.Compression rate: Should be at least 100/min (rather than“approximately” 100/min). The number of chest compressions delivered per minute during CPR is an important determinant of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival with good neurologic function
4.Compression depth: For adults has been changed from the range of 1½ to 2 inches to at least 2 inches (5 cm).(The motto is push harder and faster) Effective compressions generate critical blood flow and oxygen and energy delivery to the heart and brain.

5.Hands Only CPR: Hands Only CPR. This is technically a change from the 2005 Guidelines, but AHA
endorsed this form of CPR in 2008. The Heart Association still wants untrained lay rescuers to do Hands Only CPR on adult victims who collapse in front of them.Hands-Only (compression-only) CPR is easier for an untrained rescuer to perform and can be more readily guided by dispatchers over the telephone.It was documented that survival rates from cardic arrest of cardiac origin are same irrespective of compressions alone(hands only cpr) or  compressions with ventilations
5.Dispatcher Identification of Agonal Gasps: It is important that the rescuer  shoul be well trained to identify between  normal respirations  from agonal breaths, in order to proceed with CPR. The lay rescuer should be taught to begin CPR if the victim is “not breathing or only gasping.” The healthcare provider should be taught to begin CPR if the victim has “no breathing or no normal breathing (ie, only gasping).”This rapid breathing check should be done before activation of  emergency response system.

6.Cricoid Pressure: Routine use of cricoid pressure is not recommended as it may impede ventilation.  Studies showed that cricoid pressure can delay or prevent the placement of an advanced airway and some aspiration can still occur even with proper application.In addition, it is difficult to appropriately train rescuers in use of this maneuver.

7.Activation of Emergency Response System: Should be made after assessment of the patients' responsiveness and breathing but should not be delayed. The 2005 guidelines states immediate activation of EMS after finding an unresponsive victim.(or send someone to do so), If the healthcare provider does not feel a pulse within 10 seconds, the provider should begin CPR and use the AED when it is available.
8. Concept of team resuscitation:  For better  and  efficient delivery of  resuscitation,is emphasized.

ELECTRICAL THERAPIES INCLUDING USE OF AED AND DEFIBRILLATOR.

1.AED Use in Children Now Includes Infants

For attempted defibrillation of children 1 to 8 years of age with an AED, the rescuer should use a pediatric
dose-attenuator system if one is available. If the rescuer provides CPR to a child in cardiac arrest and does not have an AED with a pediatric dose-attenuator system, the rescuer should use a standard AED. For infants (<1 year of age), a manual defibrillator is preferred. If a manual defibrillator is not available,an AED with pediatric dose attenuation is desirable. If neither is available, an AED without a dose attenuator may be used. Automated external defibrillators with relatively high-energy doses have been used successfully in infants in cardiac arrest, with no clear adverse effects. No other major changes have bee made in electrical therapies including AED and defibrillator.

ADVANCED CARDIAC LIFE SUPPORT
1.Capnography Recommendation:  Quantitative waveform capnography is recommended for confirmation of endotracheal tube placement and for monitoring CPR quality and detecting return of spontaneous circulation based on end tidal CO2. Because blood must circulate through the lungs for CO2 to be exhaled and measured, capnography can also serve as a physiologic monitor of the effectiveness of chest compressions and to detect return of spontaneous circulation. Ineffective chest compressions (due to either patient characteristics or rescuer performance) are associated with a low Petco2 and return of spontaneous circulation is associated with an abrupt increase in ETCO2. Previously an exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2) detector or an esophageal detector device was recommended to serve this purpose.
2.Simplified ACLS Algorithm and New Algorithm:   The new circular algorithm is introduced  in 2010
The conventional ACLS Cardiac Arrest Algorithm has been simplified and streamlined to emphasize
the importance of high-quality CPR. The 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC note that CPR is ideally guided by physiologic monitoring and includes adequate oxygenation and early defibrillation while the ACLS provider assesses and treats possible underlying causes of the arrest. There is no definitive clinical evidence that early intubation or drug therapy improves neurologically intact survival to hospital discharge.The algorithm focusses on to the basics with an increased emphasis on what is known to work: high quality CPR.

3.New Medication Protocols:

• Atropine is not recommended for routine use in the management of PEA/asystole and has been removed from the ACLS Cardiac Arrest Algorithm.
• The algorithm for treatment of tachycardia with pulses has been simplified. Adenosine is recommended in the initial diagnosis and treatment of stable,undifferentiated regular, monomorphic wide-complex tachycardia (this is also consistent in ACLS and PALS recommendations). It is important to note that adenosine should not be used for irregular wide-complex tachycardias because it may cause degeneration of the rhythm to VF.

4.Organized Post–Cardiac Arrest Care: 2010 (New): Post–Cardiac Arrest Care is a new section

in the 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC. To improve survival for victims of cardiac arrest who are admitted to a hospital after ROSC, a comprehensive, structured, integrated,multidisciplinary system of post–cardiac arrest care should be implemented in a consistent manner.Treatment should include cardiopulmonary and neurologic support. Therapeutic hypothermia and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) should be provided when indicated.Because seizures are common after cardiac arrest, an electroencephalogram for the diagnosis of seizures should be performed with prompt interpretation as soon as possible and should be monitored frequently or continuously in comatose patients after ROSC.

5.Initial and Later Key Objectives of Post–Cardiac Arrest Care:

1. Optimize cardiopulmonary function and vital organ perfusion after ROSC

2. Transport/transfer to an appropriate hospital or critical care unit with a comprehensive post–cardiac arrest treatment system of care

3. Identify and treat ACS and other reversible causes

4. Control temperature to optimize neurologic recovery

5. Anticipate, treat, and prevent multiple organ dysfunction.This includes avoiding excessive ventilation and hyperoxia.

6.Tapering of Inspired Oxygen Concentration:

After ROSC Based on Monitored Oxyhemoglobin Saturation,  ie, SPO2. New recommendation

ETHICAL ISSUES

The ethical issues relating to resuscitation are complex,occurring in different settings (in or out of the hospital) and among different providers (lay rescuers or healthcare personnel) and involving initiation or termination of basic and/or advanced life support. All healthcare providers should consider the ethical, legal, and cultural factors associated with providing care for individuals in need of resuscitation. Although providers play a

role in the decision-making process during resuscitation, they should be guided by science, the preferences of the individual or their surrogates, and local policy and legal requirements.

Terminating Resuscitative Efforts in Adults With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

• Arrest not witnessed by EMS provider or first responder

• No ROSC after 3 complete rounds of CPR and AED analyses

• No AED shocks delivered

For situations when ACLS EMS personnel are present to provide care; for an adult with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, an “ACLS termination of resuscitation” rule was established to consider

terminating resuscitative efforts before ambulance transport if all of the following criteria are met:

• Arrest not witnessed (by anyone)

• No bystander CPR provided

• No ROSC after complete ALS care in the field

• No shocks delivered

Implementation of these rules includes contacting online medical control when the criteria are met. In 2005 guidelines,no specific criteria were established

THE PEDIATRIC ADVANCED CARDIAC LIFE SUPPORT

Many key issues in the review of the PALS literature resulted in refinement of existing recommendations rather than new recommendations; 

1. Monitoring capnography/capnometry is again recommended to confirm proper endotracheal tube position and may be useful during CPR to assess and optimize the quality of chest compressions.

2.The PALS cardiac arrest algorithm was simplified to emphasize organization of care around 2-minute periods of uninterrupted CPR.

3.The initial defibrillation energy dose of 2 to 4 J/kg of either monophasic or biphasic waveform is reasonable but for ease of teaching, a dose of 2 J/kg may be used (this dose is the same as in the 2005 recommendation). For second and subsequent doses, give at least 4 J/kg. Doses higher than 4 J/kg (not to exceed 10 J/kg or the adult dose) may also be safe and effective, especially if delivered with a biphasic defibrillator.

4.On the basis of increasing evidence of potential harm from high oxygen exposure, a new recommendation has been added to titrate inspired oxygen (when appropriate equipment is available), once spontaneous circulation has been restored, to maintain an arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation ≥94% but <100% to limit the risk of hyperoxemia.

5.New sections have been added on resuscitation of infants and children with congenital heart defects,including single ventricle, palliated single ventricle, and pulmonary hypertension. The use of extracorporial membrane oxygenation , if facilities are available is stressed.

6.Several recommendations for medications have been revised. These include, not administering calcium except in very specific circumstances like hypocalcemia, calcium channel blocker overdose,

hypermagnesemia, or hyperkalemia. and limiting the use of etomidate in septic shock. Routine calcium

administration in cardiac arrest provides no benefit and may be harmful.

7.Indications for postresuscitation therapeutic hypothermia have been clarified somewhat.(see below)

8.New diagnostic considerations have been developed for sudden cardiac death of unknown etiology.

9.Providers are advised to seek expert consultation, if possible, when administering amiodarone or procainamide to hemodynamically stable patients with arrhythmias.

10.The definition of wide-complex tachycardia has been changed from >0.08 second to >0.09 second.

When a sudden, unexplained cardiac death occurs in a child or young adult, obtain a complete past medical and family history (including a history of syncopal episodes, seizures, unexplained accidents/drowning, or sudden unexpected death at <50 years of age) and review previous ECGs. All infants, children, and young adults with sudden, unexpected death should, where resources allow, have an unrestricted complete autopsy, 

preferably performed by a pathologist with training and experience in cardiovascular pathology. Tissue should be preserved for genetic analysis to determine the presence of channelopathy. It is explained as ;There is increasing evidence that some cases of sudden death in infants, children, and young adults may be associated with genetic mutations that cause cardiac ion transport defects known as channelopathies. These can cause fatal arrhythmias, and their correct diagnosis may be critically important for living relatives

NEONATAL RESUSCITATION

1.Once positive-pressure ventilation or supplementary oxygen administration is begun, assessment should consist of simultaneous evaluation of 3 clinical characteristics:heart rate, respiratory rate, and evaluation of the state of oxygenation (optimally determined by pulse oximetry rather than assessment of color)

2. Anticipation of the need to resuscitate:  during elective cesarean section

3. Ongoing assessment

4.Supplementary oxygen administration; For babies born at term, it is best to begin resuscitation with air rather than 100% oxygen.Administration of supplementary oxygen should be regulated by blending oxygen and air, and the amount to be delivered should be guided by oximetry.

5.Suctioning : There is no evidence that active babies benefit from airway suctioning, even in the presence of meconium, and there is evidence of risk associated with this suctioning. The available evidence does not support or refute the routine endotracheal suctioning of depressed infants born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

6.Ventilation strategies (no change from 2005)positive airway pressure may be helpful in the transitioning of the preterm baby. Use of the laryngeal mask airway should be considered if face-mask ventilation is unsuccessful and tracheal intubation is unsuccessful or not feasible.

7.Recommendations for monitoring exhaled CO2. Exhaled CO2 detectors are recommended to confirm endotracheal intubation.

8.Compression-to-ventilation ratio remains the same: The recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio remains 3:1. If the arrest is known to be of cardiac etiology, a higher ratio (15:2) should be considered.

9.Thermoregulation of the preterm infant should be considered (no change from 2005)

10.Postresuscitation therapeutic hypothermia: It is recommended that infants born at ≥36 weeksof gestation with evolving moderate to severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy should be offered therapeutic hypo thermia.

11.Delayed cord clamping : There is increasing evidence of benefit of delaying cord clamping for at least 1 minute in term and preterm infants not requiring resuscitation. There is insufficient evidence to support or refute a recommendation to delay cord clamping in babies requiring resuscitation.

12.Withholding or discontinuing resuscitative efforts (Reaffirmed 2005 Recommendation): In a newly born baby with no detectable heart rate, which remains undetectable for 10 minutes, it is appropriate to consider stopping resuscitation,considering factors such as the presumed etiology of the arrest, the gestation of the baby, the presence or absence of complications, and the potential role of therapeutic hypothermia.

THERAPEUTIC HYPOTHERMIA

In adult post–cardiac arrest patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia, it is recommended that clinical neurologic signs, electrophysiologic studies, biomarkers, and imaging be performed where available, at 3 days after cardiac arrest. Currently, there is limited evidence to guide decisions regarding withdrawal of life support. The clinician should document all available prognostic testing 72 hours after cardiac arrest treated 

with therapeutic hypothermia and use best clinical judgment based on this testing to make a decision to withdraw life support when appropriate. Explained as; on the basis of the limited available evidence, potentially reliable prognosticators of poor outcome in patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest include bilateral absence of N20 peak on somatosensory evoked potential more than or equal to 24 hours after cardiac arrest and the absence of both corneal and pupillary reflexes >3 days after 

cardiac arrest. Limited available evidence also suggests that a Glasgow Coma Scale Motor Score of 2 or less at day 3 after sustained return of spontaneous circulation and presence of status epilepticus are potentially unreliable prognosticators of poor outcome in post-cardiac arrest patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia. Similarly, recovery of consciousness and cognitive functions is possible in a few post-cardiac arrest patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia despite bilateral absent or minimally present N20 responses of median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials, which suggests they may be unreliable as well. The reliability of serum biomarkers as prognostic indicators is also limited by the relatively few patients who have been studied. 

EUROPEAN RESUSCITATION COUNCIL GUIDELINES:

http://aim.code.nl/article/S0300-9572(10)00447-8/pdf/european-resuscitation- council-guidelines-for-resuscitation-2010-section-1-executive-summary

Reference:

1.http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/vol122/18_suppl_3/

2.http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/Science/Guidelines/2010-AHA- Guidelines-for-CPR-ECC_UCM_317311_SubHomePage.jsp

3.http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/CPR_UCM_001118_SubHomePage.jsp

4.http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/vol112/24_suppl/

EVOLUTION THROUGH REVOLUTION, COMMEMORATING ETHER DAY!

So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.( Genesis 2:21) Who is the first Anaesthesiologist then? its Lord,The God almighty. Adam was first formed, then Eve and she was made of the man, out of his bone, and for the man (1 Co. 11:8, 9), Thus the speciality of Anaesthesiology is divine and .... Anaesthesiologists  are followers of God.! According to the law of equations, following  Anaesthesiologist is as equivalent as following God!!   .... Of course what is of more glorified act than  giving pain relief to whom who suffer from severe physical and mental agony? Even Eve was  not lucky enough to have a painless labour, a luxury  and privilege enjoyed by her descendants, made possible by this blessed branch of medical sciences. The history of anaesthesia dates back and starts from here.

Mesmer practising animal magnetism

Before the advent of anaesthesia, surgery was a terrifying prospect. Many approached surgery as if they are facing execution  and many suffered  pain, hemorrage, shock, infection  and death, due to inappropriate assessment, lack of proper agents or equipments.The pre anaesthetic era witnessed  the application of physical means  and herbal remedies for pain relief  eg:  local application of cold water, ice or pressure. Plants and extracts,Coca leaves chewed and saliva dripped into injured areas or open wounds -Inca Shamans, Alcohol with opium or hemp –“soporific sponge" (mentioned around 1200 by Nicholas of Salerno ) , Hypnosis (Its eponymous originator was Anton Mesmer (1734-1815)). etc. Amputations were performed by giving alcohol  and patients were made intoxicated  (Apuleius, a 5th century compiler) or the legs were frozen by applying ice(Refrigeration anaesthesia  by Marco AvrelioSeverino).  Egyptian surgeons apparently half-asphyxiated children undergoing circumcision by first almost strangling them. This practice sounds almost as barbarous as the operation itself.

Opium

The discovery that plant extracts, like opium (papaver somniferum), mandragora from atropa,  belladona (morning glory) Marijuana (cannabis indica) can provide pain relief, helped the primitive physicians to conduct surgeries and threw light into the pharmacological and physiological principles of pain transmission and pain management.While the physicians across the atlantic enjoyed the benefits of coca (Viennese ophthalmologist Karl Koller  used cocaine locally for ophthalmic surgeries)(1857-1944),the chinese were focussing on acupuncture

Humphry Davy

The 19th century  stood as an important mile stone  in the history of anaesthesia with the synthesis and use of atmospheric gases  and nitrous oxide by early scientific luminaries such as Black, Priestley, and Lavoisier.Of which the first gas recognised to have anaesthetic powers was nitrous oxide (N2O) which is inert, colourless, odourless and tasteless. Nitrous oxide was first isolated and identified in 1772 by the English chemist, Joseph Priestley (1733-1804). The exhilarating effects of inhaling nitrous oxide were noted by English  chemist Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829).The term laughing gas was given to it  and N2O  was used widely for recreational purposes.It was Davy who suggested N2O for pain relief during surgery." Nitrous Air, and Its Respiration (1800)"  Davy described the different planes of  anaesthesia as stage 1: analgesia;  stage 2: delirium;  stage 3: surgical anaesthesia; stage 4: respiratory paralysis, though without appreciating the significance of each stage.. In 1824, English country doctor Henry Hill Hickman (1800-30), performed painless operations by inhalation of CO2 but was not widely recognised.

Crawford Williamson Long

Ether was first discovered by Catalan philosopher chemist Raymundus Lullius (1232-1315). Lullius called it "sweet vitriol", it was produced by distilled sulfuric acid fortified with wine and sugar.Paracelsus observed that  chickens who were given vitriol fell asleep and awaken unharmed.The first use of general anaesthesia probably dates to early nineteenth century in Japan. On 13th October 1804, a japanese physician [1]Seishu Hanaoka (1760-1835) removed a breast tumour uneventfully for which he used "Tsusensan", a herbal preparation.The first successful use of ether anaesthesia is by Crawford Williamson Long (1815-78).who may be called as the "discoverer of anaesthesia".He removed a cyst from the neck of  Mr James Venable under ether anaesthesia but this was remained  unpublished.



 

Horace Wells

 The anaesthetic revolution set a pace,  Horace Wells (1815-1848) demonstrated that injuring leg under N2O inhalation is painless. He himself was subjected to N2O anaesthesia for dental extraction without pain.Later on he attempted a public demonstration with N2O in january 1845 which was a failue.There was laughter and cries of "humbug".

The era of surgical anaesthesia unveils, William Thomas Green Morton (1819-1868). discovered the quality of ether that it can produce surgical anaesthesia without profound respiratory or circulatory depression. He found that a slow rate of induction allowed high margin of safety for ether. He was received an invitation to give a public demonstration at Massachussets General Hospital on friday 16 oct 1846. The patient was Edward Gilbert Abbot  and the surgeon was John Collins Warren.

William Thomas Green Morton

Morton's inhaler

The surgeon excised a vascular swelling from the neck successfully. Morton used a draw over vapouriser designed by him. on Completion of surgery  Warren announced  "Gentlemen this is no humbug"  A great discovery ,a golden mile stone in the history of anaesthesiology,the day being celebrated worldwide as "ether day".Oliver wendel homes(1809-94). suggested the name  anaesthesia for this painless state.[2]

Ether Day

Ether dome

The amphitheatre at MGH, where this demonstration took place is honoured by giving the name "ether dome"This  is now a national shrine.the  Morton's grave in Mount Auburn Cemetery near Boston bears the inscription:
WILLIAM T. G. MORTON
Inventor and Revealer of Anaesthetic Inhalation
Before Whom, in All Time, Surgery Was Agony
By Whom Pain in Surgery was Averted and Annulled
SinceWhom Science Has Control of Pain




James young simpson

In Scotland, Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870), used Ether for the first time for relieving labour pain(1846) He was experimenting on chloroform  and proved the efficacy of chloroform by giving it to those who attended a dinner party He also tried the drug himself and published his findings in Lancet. Later he himself defended the use of chloroform for pain relief in labour as it was against religion and belief. Chloroform use also had a short history. It is a colourless volatile liquid with a characteristic smell and a sweet taste.It was discovered in1831 by American physician Samuel Guthrie (1782-1848);

John snow

In England, at least, the practice of anaesthesia during childbirth won greater respectability following its widely-publicised use on Queen Victoria. The delivery in 1853 of Victoria's eighth child and youngest son, Prince Leopold, was successful: chloroform was administered by Dr John Snow (1813-1858) of Edinburgh, the world's first anaesthesiologist/anaesthetist. He used chloroform in a hand kerchief for inhalation and Queen victoria never had pain during child birth.The contributions of John snow include

• Description of stages of anaesthesia based on patient's responsiveness
• Developed ether inhalers,  and an ether vapouriser which is thermocompensated.
• Development of agent specific chloroform vapouriser
• Described the minimum anaesthetic concentration to prevent movement  which led to the future discovery of  MAC
• Published books  and journals on chloroform and ether



Joseph clover

• Conducted epidemiological surveys  and proved that cholera is transmitted by water.

 Dr Joseph Clover (1825-1882) developed  the first apparatus to provide chloroform in controlled concentrations; in 1862 and a "portable regulating ether-inhaler" in 1877. This was to minimise the complications  associated  with the use of chloroform

The other Inhalation Anaesthesia landmarks include

Boyles apparatus

• Introduction of first anaesthesia machine in 1917 by Henry Boyle
• CO2 absorption canister in 1924 by Rudolf Waters
• Endotracheal intubation in 1920 by  Ivan Magill.
• Introducton of halothane in 1950 

Epoch of Regional Anaesthesia[3]

• Karl Koller( 1857-1944)  an ophthalmologist from vienna introduced cocaine for topical ophthalmic anaesthesia
• William Halstead, described nerve blocks of face and arm 1886,
• Description of spinal anaesthesia by Leonard Corning. He coined the term spinal anaesthesia. He used cocaine into the spinal canal



Regional Anaesthesia

• August Bier, further research  on  spinal anesthesia in 1898.
• Virginia Apgar promotes Regional analgesia in childbirth 1930.
• Arthur Barker hyperbaric spinal anaesthesia by addition of glucose  1935
• August Bier, intravenous regional anaesthesia in 1908
• Martinez Curbelo from cuba  continuous epidural anaesthesia  1949

Intravenous Anaesthesia

• 1903 Barbitone synthesis by Fischer, Berlin, Nobel Prize.
• 1932 Evipan used IV by Weese Schraff, & Rheinoff.
• 1934 Lundy, Mayo Clinic, used Sodium Pentothal.
• 1942 Curare first used clinically by Griffith and Enid johnson in Montreal
• 1857 Claude Bernard published that curare blocked the NMJ.
• 1940 Bennett used curare to modify seizures induced by metrozol.

Modern anaesthesia

• Starts from 1980
• Standards for Basic Anesthetic Monitoring ASA, House of Delegates 10/21/1986.
• Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation 1984.
• International anaesthesia research society 1922 by mcMechaan
• BJA 1923
• Association of anaesthetists of great britain and ireland 1932. 

The modern Anaesthesiologist is a physician  and primary care provider who is concerned with the total wellbeing of his patients. Other than the safety and  comfort of patient in operation theatre, the anaesthesiologist's services extend outside the operating room as well. They are routinely asked to monitor or sedate patients for lithotripsy, MRI, cardiac catheterisation, electroconvulsive therapy, fluroscopy etc. They are considered to be the pioneers in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.  The anaesthesiologist is actively involved in  Intensive care, Trauma care, Pain management and complex specialised surgical procedures

Reference:

1). Matsuki A: Seishu Hanaoka, Japanese pioneer in anesthesia. Anesthesiol1970; 32:446-50 Fenster J M: 
2). Sykes: Essays on the First Hundred Years of Anaesthesia. Robert E. Kreiger Publishing Co. 1972.
     Wolfe & Menczer: I Awaken to Glory. Boston Medical Library, 1994.
3)  An article on  Anesthesiology yesterday, today and tomorrow by Mr.Adolph H. Giesecke MD.UTX Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas T
4)  Wylie and Churchil Davidson  Practise of Anesthesia.   7th edition.; Pp 01-15
5)  Images :
     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ether_Dome
     www.general-anaesthesia.com/images/ether-inhaler.html
     http://www.bmj.com/content/2/4475/536.full.pdf+html

THE ROLE OF CLASSIC LMA IN DIFFICULT AIRWAY.

The recent development in the management of "difficult airway" is the incorporation of LMA into its algorithm. Since the introduction of LMA in 1981 they have been widely evaluated for their efficacy in managing difficult airways and have been proven effective in CICV situations.According to the 'Practice Guidelines for Management of the Difficult Airway' by the ASA task force, the use of supraglottic airway devices including LMA, Combitube or other suitable supraglottic airway as rescue devices in the “cannot intubate cannot ventilate” situation, is highly recommended. The advice switches from an earlier emphasis on laryngoscopy and intubation to an emphasis focusing on ventilation and oxygenation.The present topic concentrates only on the algorithm where LMA can be used as an intubation conduit. Eventhough intubating LMA is widely used to manage difficult airway, classic LMA alone is included in the algorithm because of its simplicity and safety in inexperienced hands. Watch the following flow charts, photographs, and a video which are self explanatory.

Classic LMA

• Developed by Dr. Archie I J Brain, a British anesthetist in 1981.
• First successful use of prototype LMA in failed intubation situation in a 114 kg patient in February 1983.
• Dr. Archie Brain publishes his first series of 23 patients undergoing routine airway management by the LMA in 1983.
• 21 cases of difficult intubations were managed by the LMA and reported in literature between 1983 - 1987.LMAs are commercially available since 1987.

How to insert:
The standard technique:

Why and how LMA has found a unique place in Algorithm?
• Simple to use
• Non-invasive design as it does not invade trachea
• An easy to learn & easy to teach quality.
• Improved success rate with minimal tissue trauma in first attempt
• Ability to be used as a ventilatory device as well as an aid to intubation.
• Immediate airway access compared to invasive techniques
• Less gastric inflation and subsequent regurgitation.

Alternate methods for placement of LMA:

• Insert the deflated LMA with the laryngeal aperture facing cephalad and rotate it 180º as the cup enters the pharynx, Specially useful in patients with restricted mouth opening or hindrance to placement by tongue.
• Insert the LMA from the side of the mouth in emergency for example from bedside using thumb
• Insert the LMA with the cuff partially inflated when the deflated cuff gets folded.
• Insert the LMA with the aid of a laryngoscope again in difficult insertion due to large tongue, edentulous airway or due to restricted mouth opening.
• Insert LMA with the aid of stylet or a bougie as guide.
• In patients with a restricted mouth opening, LMA can be placed retro molar and subsequently the LMA tube is brought forward to lie centrally

The Algorithm:  Click on the image to enlarge.

                ALGORITHM EXPLAINING THE ROLE OF LMA (EXPANDED)
                               Click on the image to enlarge

LMA AS AN INTUBATION CONDUIT:

• Blind passage of ETT through LMA: After placement of LMA by any one of the above techniques, the lubricated endotracheal tube is passed blindly through LMA and placement confirmed by auscultation, chest movement or by capnogram. The following table helps you to choose the correct size of ETT to be passed.

In an attempt to insert the LMA blindly one may encounter 2 levels of obstruction within the LMA.The first one is at the level of the aperture bar and the second one is at the level of glottic opening.              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
To overcome the first level of obstruction, the ETT is slightly bend and turned to one side while passing.  The second level of obstruction is overcome by flexing the neck while insertion

• Premounted ETT in LMA with insertion:To avoid the problems associated with obstruction, the ETT is premounted on LMA and inserted. Subsequently manipulated to enter the glottis.
• Bougie aided intubation through LMA: The LMA is inserted cuff inflated and placement confirmed. A bougie is passed through the ETT and manipulated into the larynx. The LMA is deflated and removed  and a lubricated ETT is passed over the bougie into the trachea

• Trachlight aided intubation via LMA:  After placement of LMA a trachlight (lighted wand) is used to identify the laryngeal inlet and ETT is passed over it.

• Fiberoscope aided intubation via LMA: Similar to trach light, a fiberoptic bronchoscope is passed into the LMA to reach the trachea and subsequent intubation over bronchoscope is done.

Video showing blind intubation over LMA

 When no aids are available in CVCI situation the algorithm advises on cricothyrotomy and transtracheal jet ventilation.An anteriorly placed larynx can be managed, in the absence of  stylet or bougie by simple manipulation of the ETT, by anchoring it on middle finger to bring forward the tip of ETT.

The video and a few photographs are reproduced with permission from Dr.Rashid M Khan and Dr.Naresh Kaul of Khoula hospital Muscat, who conducted a workshop on "difficult airway" at ibri hospital in March 2010. The author is much thankful to them.

Ref:1)ASA, Practice guidelines for the management of difficult airway -2003 .   www.asahq.org/publicationsAndServices/Difficult%20Airway.pdf
       2)Leader GL, facilitation of insertion of Laryngeal mask, Anaesthesia 1991;46:987                     
       3)The Difficult Airway in Adult Critical Care.: Supraglottic Airway ,www.medscape.com