BACKGROUND Endobronchial ultrasound-guided lung biopsies require immobile patient, non-collapsing airway, stable haemodynamics and good oxygenation, clear exposure of glottis for passage of bronchoscope and good bite block. In pursuit of ideal supraglottic device, we compared clinical performance of PLMA and I-gel in our study. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of PLMA and i-gel for endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) guided lung biopsies of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a quasi-experimental study of 40 patients. The sample size was taken for convenience. With twenty patients posted for convex probe, EBUS TBNA lung biopsies were done with i-gel (Group I) and another twenty posted for radial probe EBUS biopsies were done with PLMA (Group II). RESULTS I-gel was easier to insert, and insertion time was less than for PLMA and bronchoscopic view of vocal cords was clear and superior to PLMA. Sore throat, dysphagia, dysphonia and blood staining of device cuff were not seen with I-gel. CONCLUSION I-gel is a superior alternative to PLMA and endotracheal tube for EBUS-guided lung biopsies in uncooperative, anxious, obese patients because of ease and rapid insertion, stable bite block, ease of fixation, non-collapsing airway, non-inflatable cuff, stable haemodynamics, no tissue injury and less serious post-procedure complications.

BACKGROUND In an attempt to search for ideal regional anaesthetic technique to meet good degree of relaxation ability, to prolong the level and duration, avoiding supplementation with narcotics or general anaesthesia, minimise the total dose and side effects, we tried sequential combined spinal and epidural technique. This study was done to combine the benefits of spinal and epidural anaesthesia techniques in terms of rapidity of onset, good degree of reliable sensory and motor blockade with lowest possible doses, less side effects and less drug toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty patients between the ages of 20-50 years conforming to ASA Class I and II, to undergo gynaecological surgery, duration of surgery lasting around 120 minutes were included in the present study. Patients with neurological disease, anaemia, hypertension, cardiac and respiratory disorders were eliminated from the study. RESULTS Mean onset time for analgesia (3.62 minutes), time for spread of block to T4 level (9.36 minutes), better haemodynamic stability, less total drug dose, higher margin of safety, less intraoperative and postoperative side effects when compared to uncombined spinal and epidural anaesthesia. CONCLUSION Combined spinal and epidural technique is valuable and superior alternative to spinal or epidural alone.

BACKGROUND Suxamethonium is routinely used for intubation from long time in spite of its side effects, as there is no alternate drug till recently. Present study is focused on rocuronium rapidly acting as non-depolariser, which behaves like vecuronium in all other aspects. The study is focused on finding attractive and safe alternative drug to suxamethonium using rocuronium, which behaves like Vecuronium in all aspects. Aims and Objectives-To search for a safe alternative drug to suxamethonium using rocuronium for intubation in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS This non-randomised controlled trial was conducted on 50 children for convenience of either sex, of ASA physical status I or II, belonging to age between 8 and 15 years, posted for elective surgery under general anaesthesia. Informed consent was taken. These patients were non-randomly divided into two groups of 25 patients each for convenience according to the neuromuscular blocking drug used. Group I-Suxamethonium 1 mg/ kg. Group II-Rocuronium 0.6 mg/ kg. RESULTS Grading of intubating conditions were 96% with suxamethonium and 80% with Rocuronium. Immobility of vocal cords was better and diaphragmatic response was less pronounced with Suxamethonium. Cardiovascular changes in heart rate and mean arterial pressure were less than 10% of basal level. CONCLUSION There was no significant difference between intubating dose of 0.6 mg/kg of rocuronium and 1 mg/kg of suxamethonium. Rocuronium may be a safe alternative when suxamethonium is contraindicated or is to be avoided for its side effects, especially in children.