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This case report illustrates the successful use of activated recombinant factor VIIa in the management of severe postpartum hemorrhage secondary to amniotic fluid embolism.

The GlideScope improved intubation time and difficulty score for tracheal intubation when compared with the intubating laryngeal mask airway in our patients. Blind intubation through the intubating laryngeal mask airway offers no advantages over the GlideScope in patients with normal airways. Despite its limitations, the intubating laryngeal mask airway is a valuable adjunct, especially in cases of difficult airway management when it can provide ventilation in between intubation attempts.

SummaryWe aimed to determine if using the EndoFlex Ò tracheal tube on the first intubation attempt provided improved placement times and intubation success compared with a standard-type tracheal tube in 50 patients undergoing gynaecological surgery in a prospective, randomised, cross-over trial. We found that using the EndoFlex resulted in shorter intubation times (mean (SD) 14.8 (9.7) vs 30.1 (30.5) s), easier intubation (VAS, median (range) 10 (0-70) vs 20 (0-100)), and an increased rate of successful insertion at the first attempt; all p < 0.001. Flexing the distal tip of the EndoFlex was used in 18 patients. There were reductions in the use of external laryngeal pressure, advancement of laryngoscope blade and increased lifting force when intubating with the EndoFlex. Furthermore, patients with a grade 2 (19 ⁄ 50) or 3 (6 ⁄ 50) laryngoscopic view had shorter intubation times, easier intubation and reduced insertion attempts with the EndoFlex. The EndoFlex is a satisfactory alternative to a standard-type tracheal tube, even with an anterior larynx.

Introduction:As ultrasound allows more accurate placement of local anesthetic (LA), ultrasound-guided modifi ed rectus sheath block (MRSB) was compared with wound infi ltration (WI) in women having open hysterectomy or myomectomy for fi broids via a Pfannenstiel incision under general anesthesia. Materials and Methods: Forty-two American Society of Anesthesiologists Class ASA I,II and III patients were recruited into two groups in a randomized patient-blinded controlled trial excluding those with coagulopathy, infection, or LA allergy. At the end of surgery, in the study group (Group U), an MRSB, under ultrasound guidance, was administered with 20 ml 0.25% levobupivacaine through a single skin puncture in the midline, 2 cm below the umbilicus, on either side of the midline, above the posterior sheath. In the control group (Group W), WI with 20 ml 0.5% levobupivacaine was done by the surgeon. The primary outcome measure was the amount of morphine consumed in the fi rst 24 h after the surgery in the ward. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS v.14.0. Results: Morphine consumption in the intraoperative and recovery periods was 10 mg and 0.0 mg, respectively, in both groups. In both the groups, pain measured by visual analog scale correct (VAS) (both at rest and on movement), morphine consumption (12.0 mg [18.0 mg] vs. 12.0 mg [23.0 mg], median interquartile range [IQR], p = 0.950), and the number of oral analgesic doses administered during the study period were comparable. However, number of patients who were "extremely satisfi ed" compared to "satisfi ed" with the analgesia were more in the Group U than in Group W (15/6 vs. 4/17, P-0.001). Sedation, nausea and vomiting, and antiemetic doses given were minimal and comparable in both groups. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided MRSB does not show any signifi cant difference in the 24 h morphine consumption as compared to WI.