During endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), a needle is commonly used with a stylet, although recently the stylet has been omitted. This prospective study aimed to compare the quality of specimens obtained by EBUS-TBNA performed with and without a stylet. Between November 2013 and November 2014, 131 patients with lung cancer underwent EBUS-TBNA, with a t...

Handling and efficacy of a new video-optical intubation stylet were assessed in a simulated difficult tracheal intubation setting and compared with a conventional malleable stylet. Forty-five anaesthetists performed 10 tracheal intubations using both techniques. Laryngoscopy was performed by the observer, who created a grade 3 view according the classification by Cormack and Lehane. The time ta...

BACKGROUND Factors contributing to subarachnoid catheter passage after epidural placement are not well understood. This study explored mechanisms that might explain its occurrence. METHODS Human cadaveric dura was mounted on a model and pressurized to physiologic levels. In a standardized fashion, a 20-gauge Portex three-port, closed end (nonflexible) tip catheter was passed through an epidur...

INTRODUCTION Many physicians target the interventricular septum for pacemaker implantation, but the lead may inadvertently end up in an anterior position. AIMS We sought to compare two stylet shapes to achieve mid-septal lead placement, as well as the utility of a novel right anterior oblique (RAO) fluoroscopic landmark. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients undergoing pacemaker implantation were en...

BACKGROUND The intubating laryngeal mask has been used for the emergency management of the airway in patients placed in the lateral decubitus position. We have conducted this prospective study to compare the feasibility of placement of an intubating laryngeal mask and blind tracheal intubation guided by the intubating laryngeal mask in patients placed in the right and the left lateral positions...

BACKGROUND The authors reappraised the conventional wisdom that the intubating dose of succinylcholine must be 1.0 mg/kg and attempted to define the lower range of succinylcholine doses that provide acceptable intubation conditions in 95% of patients within 60 s. METHODS This prospective, randomized, double-blind study involved 200 patients. Anesthesia was induced with 2 mug/kg fentanyl and 2...