Learning cricotomy: a comparison between anesthesia assistants and military paramedics

Emmanuelle Henry (1), Pierre-Michel François (2) Published in the journal : October 2024 Category : Anesthesiology

Airway management is a top priority for the anesthesio­logist and, more broadly, for all medical personnel involved in acute care. The anesthesiologist is accustomed to airway management on a day-to-day basis, with all the resources at his or her disposal. However, the use of cricotomy is the last option in the airway management algorithm, and when necessary, cricotomy is often delayed or not performed due to a certain denial or even stupefaction of the operator.

This study sought to demystify cricotomy and demonstrate the benefits of simulation.

In this prospective study, we compared two heterogeneous groups in terms of medical training (anesthesia assistants and military paramedics) in order to highlight the simplicity of the gesture. Two simulation sessions were conducted in each group, and the results showed that simulation allows rapid learning of this technique and produces good results, with good retention of skills in the medium term.

A survey of anesthesia trainees also revealed significant benefits after a single simulation session such as this one.

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What is the value of understanding the properties of the endothelial glycocalyx in the management of COVID-19-affected patients?

Alexandre Boulanger1, Anne-Sophie Dincq1, Benoit Rondelet2, Maximilien Gourdin1 Published in the journal : March 2022 Category : Anesthesiology

COVID-19 is an emerging viral infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strain. Following the two-year pandemic, clinicians have made significant progress in their understanding of the clinical disease manifestations, particularly by highlighting the primary role of the endothelial glycocalyx. This micro-fibrillar complex structure is located at the apical pole of the endothelial cell. It constitutes the histological barrier between cell and vascular lumen; in many ways, this structure behaves as an organ in its own way. The pathophysiological study of the endothelial glycocalyx has highlighted its usefulness in understanding both the COVID-19 and its complications. This article thus sought to look at the disease from a different angle, while summarizing the relevant data we have learned over the past two years for the clinicians.

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The innovative technology of virtual reality

Damien Henrard, Fabienne Roelants Published in the journal : February 2019 Category : Anesthesiology

The role of the anesthesiologist is to care for the patient throughout the perioperative period and to ensure his/her well-being notably through anxiolysis and effective pain management. In addition to conventional drug approaches, an innovative technique is slowly proving its worth in the medical world: virtual reality. While already well known to the general public for its recreational benefits, virtual reality will probably become in the near future an essential tool in the management of pain and anxiety in a wide variety of painful medical procedures. This technology has already been successfully studied in both adult and pediatric patients in a range of potentially painful medical procedures, such as the treatment of wounds in seriously burned patients, dental procedures and routine medical procedures, and has now started to make its way into anesthesiology...

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Progress in anesthesiology. What to remember from 2017?

Charles Lebrun-Lambeau, Alexandre Stouffs, Victoria Van Regemorter, Philippe Dubois, Thierry Pirotte, Michel Van Dyck, Christine Watremez, Mona Momeni, Cristel Sanchez Torres Published in the journal : February 2018 Category : Anesthesiology

Progress in anesthesia in recent years has not been abrupt but rather progressive. Although there was no real innovation in 2017, we have seen some progress in our practices, due to a better understanding of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, associated with better intraoperative monitoring. All this now contributes to increased safety throughout the perioperative period.

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Management of Jehovah’s witnesses before, during and after high bleeding risk surgery

Virginie Faucon, Mona Momeni(1), Patrice Forget(2) Published in the journal : December 2017 Category : Anesthesiology

Jehovah witnesses refuse transfusion of labile blood products. This is the reason why blood conserving procedures must be implemented when high bleeding risk surgery is required. Management of these patients consists in a multidisciplinary approach involving the anesthesiologist, intensivist, surgeon, and general practitioner. The procedures have to be initiated as soon as possible and be pursued during the entire hospitalization, while following a specific legal framework. This article provides a series of rules enabling doctors to properly care for their patients.

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