BackgroundPreviously active in the mid-1990s, the Canadian Airway Focus Group (CAFG) studied the unanticipated difficult airway and made recommendations on management in a 1998 publication. The CAFG has since reconvened to examine more recent scientific literature on airway management. The Focus Group’s mandate for this article was to arrive at updated practice recommendations for management of the unconscious/induced patient in whom difficult or failed tracheal intubation is encountered. MethodsNineteen clinicians with backgrounds in anesthesia, emergency medicine, and intensive care joined this iteration of the CAFG. Each member was assigned topics and conducted reviews of Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Results were presented and discussed during multiple teleconferences and two face-to-face meetings. When appropriate, evidence- or consensus-based recommendations were made together with assigned levels of evidence modelled after previously published criteria.ConclusionsThe clinician must be aware of the potential for harm to the patient that can occur with multiple attempts at tracheal intubation. This likelihood can be minimized by moving early from an unsuccessful primary intubation technique to an alternative “Plan B” technique if oxygenation by face mask or ventilation using a supraglottic device is non-problematic. Irrespective of the technique(s) used, failure to achieve successful tracheal intubation in a maximum of three attempts defines failed tracheal intubation and signals the need to engage an exit strategy. Failure to oxygenate by face mask or supraglottic device ventilation occurring in conjunction with failed tracheal intubation defines a failed oxygenation, “cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate” situation. Cricothyrotomy must then be undertaken without delay, although if not already tried, an expedited and concurrent attempt can be made to place a supraglottic device.

BackgroundAppropriate planning is crucial to avoid morbidity and mortality when difficulty is anticipated with airway management. Many guidelines developed by national societies have focused on management of difficulty encountered in the unconscious patient; however, little guidance appears in the literature on how best to approach the patient with an anticipated difficult airway.MethodsTo review this and other subjects, the Canadian Airway Focus Group (CAFG) was re-formed. With representation from anesthesiology, emergency medicine, and critical care, CAFG members were assigned topics for review. As literature reviews were completed, results were presented and discussed during teleconferences and two face-to-face meetings. When appropriate, evidence- or consensus-based recommendations were made, and levels of evidence were assigned.Principal findingsPreviously published predictors of difficult direct laryngoscopy are widely known. More recent studies report predictors of difficult face mask ventilation, video laryngoscopy, use of a supraglottic device, and cricothyrotomy. All are important facets of a complete airway evaluation and must be considered when difficulty is anticipated with airway management. Many studies now document the increasing patient morbidity that occurs with multiple attempts at tracheal intubation. Therefore, when difficulty is anticipated, tracheal intubation after induction of general anesthesia should be considered only when success with the chosen device(s) can be predicted in a maximum of three attempts. Concomitant predicted difficulty using oxygenation by face mask or supraglottic device ventilation as a fallback makes an awake approach advisable. Contextual issues, such as patient cooperation, availability of additional skilled help, and the clinician’s experience, must also be considered in deciding the appropriate strategy.ConclusionsWith an appropriate airway evaluation and consideration of relevant contextual issues, a rational decision can be made on whether an awake approach to tracheal intubation will maximize patient safety or if airway management can safely proceed after induction of general anesthesia. With predicted difficulty, close attention should be paid to details of implementing the chosen approach. This should include having a plan in case of the failure of tracheal intubation or patient oxygenation.

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Purpose In conventional practice of epidural needle placement, determining the interspinous level and choosing the puncture site are based on palpation of anatomical landmarks, which can be difficult with some subjects. Thereafter, the correct passage of the needle towards the epidural space is a blind ''feel as you go'' method. An aim-and-insert single-operator ultrasound-guided epidural needle placement is described and demonstrated. Method Nineteen subjects undergoing elective Cesarean delivery consented to undergo both a pre-puncture ultrasound scan and real-time paramedian ultrasound-guidance for needle insertion. Following were the study objectives: to measure the success of a combined spinal-epidural needle insertion under real-time guidance, to compare the locations of the chosen interspinous levels as determined by both ultrasound and palpation, to measure the change in depth of the epidural space from the skin surface as pressure is applied to the ultrasound transducer, and to investigate the geometric limitations of using a fixed needle guide. Results One subject did not participate in the study because pre-puncture ultrasound examination showed unrecognizable bony landmarks. In 18 of 19 subjects, the epidural needle entered the epidural space successfully, as defined by a loss-of-resistance. In two subjects, entry into the epidural space was not achieved despite ultrasound guidance. Eighteen of the 19 interspinous spaces that were identified using palpation were consistent with those determined by ultrasound. The transducer pressure changed the depth of the epidural space by 2.8 mm. The measurements of the insertion lengths corresponded with the geometrical model of the needle guide, but the needle required a larger insertion angle than would be needed without the guide. Conclusion This small study demonstrates the feasibility of the ultrasound-guidance technique. Areas for further development are identified for both ultrasound software and physical design. RésuméObjectif Dans le positionnement traditionnel de l'aiguille pe´ridurale, l'identification du niveau intere´pineux et le choix du site de ponction se fondent sur la palpation de points de repe`re anatomiques, ce qui peut s'ave´rer difficile chez certains patients. Par la suite, le passage appropried e l'aiguille vers l'espace pe´ridural est re´alise´par une me´thode en aveugle sur la base de sensation subjective pendant l'insertion. Nous de´crivons et de´montrons ici le positionnement d'une aiguille pe´ridurale e´choguide´e par un ope´rateur unique en 'ciblant et inse´rant'. Méthode Dix-neuf patientes subissant un accouchement par ce´sarienne non urgent ont consenti a`subir un Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12630-009-9252-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is being used more often by cardiothoracic anaesthetists for the perioperative management of cardiac problems. Reports of iatrogenic oesophageal perforation by instrumentation of the oesophagus are increasing. Although TOE is considered safe, it may be more risky during surgery, because the probe is passed and manipulated in an anaesthetized patient. It may be in place for several hours so the risk of mucosal pressure and thermal damage is increased. Patients on cardiopulmonary bypass are also fully anticoagulated. We describe a case of oesophageal perforation following insertion of the TOE probe in a patient with gross cardiomegaly. Oesophageal distortion by cardiac enlargement may increase the risk of oesophageal perforation. Difficulty in passage of the TOE probe should be regarded with suspicion and withdrawal should be contemplated because the symptoms of oesophageal perforation are often delayed and non-specific. Delay in investigation, diagnosis and treatment will increase morbidity and mortality.