Sir,—Accurate assessment of the position of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is important during controlled trials involving the LMA. Radiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show the position of the LMA precisely [1, 2]. A fibreoptic bronchoscope is used frequently for assessment in the clinical setting [3-5]. I have noticed recently that fibreoscopy cannot confirm the correct position o...

Chondrosarcomas of the larynx are rare cancers and are more frequently located at cricoid cartilage level. They are characterised by a low tendency to metastatic diffusion (low grade). The treatment of choice is surgery, which may be endoscopic or "open partial surgery", if extension of the cancer is limited. Prognosis is generally good. In this report, a case of low malignancy chondrosarcoma o...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Techniques available for reconstruction of the cricotracheal region in adults are currently suboptimal. We sought to 1) understand the anatomic basis for the thyroid ala perichondrial flap, 2) describe the technique of harvesting and intraluminal placement, and 3) learn the limitations of defects for which it can be used. STUDY DESIGN Cadaveric anatomical study. METHOD...

AIM This prospective study investigated the anatomic relations between the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN), the superior thyroid artery (STA) and the thyroid gland in human cadavers. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-two human cadavers aged over 18 years old, less than 24 hours after death. RESULTS The mean distance between the EBSLN and the superior pole of the thyroid gl...

Cricothyroidotomy is a life-saving medical procedure that allows for tracheal intubation. Most current cricothyroidotomy simulation models are either expensive or not anatomically accurate and provide the learner with an unrealistic simulation experience. The goal of this project is to improve current simulation techniques by utilizing rapid prototyping using 3D printing technology and expert o...

We studied 50 patients, in a blind, crossover study, to assess if cricoid pressure applied after placement of the laryngeal mask prevented gastric insufflation without affecting ventilation. After induction of anaesthesia and neuromuscular block, a laryngeal mask was inserted and confirmed to be placed correctly. The lungs were ventilated with a maximum inflation pressure of 15 cm H2O. In the f...

BACKGROUND Because the effects of cricoid pressure (CP) on BIS values have not been evaluated, this prospective study was designed to assess the BIS values after application of CP in adult patients during the routine induction of general anesthesia. METHODS We randomly allocated 70 patients (ASA-I) aged 18-64 years, listed for elective surgery into two groups of cricoid (CP) and non-cricoid (...

BACKGROUND The laryngeal tube has a potential role in patients with a difficult airway, but cricoid pressure is required if the patient is at risk of aspiration. The effect of cricoid pressure on insertion of these devices is unknown. METHODS In a randomized cross-over study, the laryngeal tube (25 patients) or the laryngeal tube-suction II (15 patients) was inserted with cricoid pressure app...

BACKGROUND Cricoid pressure is considered to be the gold standard means of preventing aspiration of gastric content during Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI). Its effectiveness has only been demonstrated in cadaveric studies and case reports. No randomised controlled trials comparing the incidence of gastric aspiration following emergent RSI, with or without cricoid pressure, have been performed. ...