septo-rhinoplasty see rhinological surgery
-TONSILLECTOMY/ADENOIDECTOMY paeds:
common procedure that involves a shared airway & application of a boyle-davis gag which might obstruct airway
Pt: young, may be systemically well or recurrent URTI/LRTI (timing of OT)
OSA/sleep-disordered breathing- impacts induction/airway plan, extubation & post-op (risk airway obstruction)
disposition/monitoring
Pathology:
risks airway obstruction, OSA/sleep-disordered breathing (likely OPA useful esp w pre-O2)
Procedure:
usually short (20-30mins), painful, minimal intra-op bleeding but risk postop bleed
shared airway (limited access, risks occlusion w Boyle-Davis gag (ensure adequately deep, watch airway pressures), dislodgement of airway, pressure to surrounding structures, must protect from blood & secretions, incr risk broncho/laryngospasm, excellent communication with surgeons of utmost importance
Potential complications:
airway obstruction (boyle-davis gag)
PRAEs if proximate to an URTI/LRTI; airway hyper-reactivity risks broncho/laryngospasm, risk decreases over time after URTI (delay 4/52); Pre-op SABA, anti-sialogogue glyco 4microg/kg, nasal decongestant. Vent strategy: lower MV, low PEEP, adequate E time so flows to baseline, intermittent disconnection may help if high Pit. experienced operator. Post-op incentive spirometry, chest physio.
peri-op airway obstruction (particularly w post-op opioids, long-acting sedative/hypnotics)
bleeding risk (post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage risk 0.5-2%)0 return precautions 9important
post-op airway compromise particularly w use of opioids if OSA
Anaesthetic considerations:
pre:
ideally avoid sedative premed (risks airway obstruction, BZD delays wakening, prolongs excitatory phase of emergence, impairs pulm mechanics & risks post-op pulm complications)
paediatric- communication/rapport w parent, child
intra:
Prepare:
-all equip (less anx for parent/child)
Ideally IV induction (use emla)- (if gas, insert IV asap)
M: SpO2 only for induction then other monitoring on when deep
Equip: have appropriate size south-facing RAE, size up & down, SGA, suction, guedel, NPA
Induction:
smooth, atraumatic induction
Maintenance: Propofol vs sevo= less impairment of ciliary clearance of bronchial/tracheal secretions, APRICOT study: inhalation induction ass’d w sig higher risk severe resp events
-use sufficiently large induction dose & NMBD
-intubate without m relaxant esp younger chn (avoid in child <10 who weighs <50kg undergoing tonsillectomy unless RSI)
-cuffed ETT (protect airway from blood/secretions/fire risk w electrocautery); oral RAE or reinforced, in the midline & taped to jaw before gag (*watch tube carefully as gag set up, ensure pt sufficiently deep prior to mouth gag placement, watch airway pressures
-airway protection (from blood/secretions) during shared airway procedure- cuffed ETT (SOUTH-FACING RAE) good protection & seal reduces risk of O2 leak/airway fire, less OT pollution from volatile, better surgical conditions, also ETT better for use w Boyle-Davis
-meticulous positioning (supine w neck extended, shoulder roll, care w tube position)
-adequate post-op analgesia (sore, post-op pain for up to 2/52); multimodal (paracetamol, dex, opioids w dose reduced 50% if child has OSA, lowest effective dose of short-acting opioids, often no NSAID (bleeding risk))
-PONV prevention (multi-modal anti-emetics); risk PONV 60-70% in chn undergoing tonsillectomy who don’t get proph anti-emetics
Emergence:
-smooth, rapid emergence to allow recovery of airway protective reflexes, avoid airway obstruction & resp depression
-thorough suction under DIRECT VISION prior to extubating (turn sucker northwards & suction "coroner's clot" for ANY nasopharyngeal or procedures using nasal tube), awake w ability to protect own airway (& can suction stomach w OGT to empty it of blood for bleeding tonsil)- ensure not btwn deep & light, recover pt in lateral recovery post w neck sl extended (“tonsil position”), allow secretions to drain away from oropharynx, w guedel, keep pt in tonsil position until airway reflexes return (need skilled PACU staff, be immediately available)
IV stays in (postop bleeding risk)
Postop: regular & prn analgesia (NSAIDs not shown to incr bleeding risk),
disposition: NOT day case if <3yo, co-morbidities eg. NM disorders, DS or airway anomalies, Hx mod/severe OSA- if day case, 6hr postop observation
adenoids shorter, less pain, may be done w LMA & usually don’t need post-op opioid
tonsil in adults same except usually more postop pain (add tramadol), use IPPV & relaxant, quinsy usually treated with ABx (if need drainage, usually aspirate pus w syringe under LA)& tonsillectomy later.
BLEEDING TONSIL:
this is a threatened airway in a patient w requiring an emergency shared airway procedure who requires resuscitation pre-induction
main concerns are his:
-haemorrhage shock and hypovolaemia- difficult to quantify, may become significantly haemo-dynamically unstable w induction (bleeding may be concealed as swallow- high index of suspicion for pt swallowing ++ in PACU)
-full stomach
-difficult intubation- blood & swelling if a/w
-anaemia
Call assistant (senior reg/other anaesthetist, skilled anaesthetic nurse) to prepare OT while I’m down w pt:
airway: size 7 cuffed south-facing RAE tube (& 6.5, 7.5), backup size 3 & 4 igel, difficult airway trolley
drugs: suxamethonium 60mg
ketamine 80mg
emergency drugs adrenaline 0.38mg (IM 0.5mL), atropine 7.72mg
resus: IV fluids bolus 380mL crystalloid ready, blood in PACU fridge (notify blood bank)
warm line, OT warmed, pt warmer ready
equipment
all ready for our arrival from ED- emergency drugs for transfer
focussed R/V esp prev charts (eg. if this OT was in this hospital- expect airway to go down a grade), allergies, med Hx & meds, last ate, events
Resus: I’d insert 2x 18g IVC (IO if difficult), immediately take off blood for abg, formal fbc, euc, group & hold & if large amount ongoing bleeding, rotem. I’d immediately commence aggressive fluid resuscitation enroute to OT. I’d call for 2 bags X-matched blood in PACU, cell-saver called, blood bank aware of pt
monitoring I’d use NIBP and have my reg ready for post-induction art line (unlikely time pre-op), assistant place BIS, NMT, 5-lead ecg, SpO2 probe
2x senior anaesthetists: one for airway, the other to manage resus, additional ENT surgeons (incl ready for FONA if enter vortex) & senior nurses
we’d have 2x large-bore suctions ready
Intra-op issues:
haemodynamic stability, difficult airway (obscuration w fresh blood, arterial bleed & oedematous VCs), aspiration risk incl blood in stomach, anaemia (DO2, desaturation risk)
MUST resuscitate before induce (improvement in HR- set targets)
pre-oxygenate L) lat decubitus, head down (drains blood away from airway)
Once surgeons scrubbed & ready, RSI w cricoid & 2 suctions ready & ?Andrew Donohue’s suction technique
Turn supine for RSI w cricoid
ketamine 1-2mg/kg, sux 1.5-2mg/kg, C-MAC (has good light even though likely blood gets on it)- likely to bmv while sux working as hard to perfectly pre-O2 anxious bleeding child
intra-op, haemodynamics, likely short & not painful, short-acting agents aims for rapid emergence & recovery of airway reflexes
place orogastric & empty stomach prior to extubation (blood highly emetogenic. extubate pt awake w airway reflexes, after thorough suction under direct view, L) lateral, fully reversed), risk desat on extubation (check ABG (Hb likely dilute w resus) etc prior to extubation)
FESS (see rhinological surgery above):
FESS:
shared airway procedure (+/- for a pt at elevated risk of periop cardiac adverse events)
main conflict I anticipate is that for a bloodless surgical field surgeons often prefer lower BP however it is critical that coronary perfusion is maintained
surgeons likely to use topical or injected vasoconstrictors (HTN/tacchy response may increase myocardial O2 demand, risk esp for pt w Hx IHD)
position: slight head elevation
Pt:
Pts presenting for rhinological surgery may have: OSA, asthma, CF
optimise modifiable risk factors eg. HTN
if OSA may have pulm HTN
if on CPAP ?can it be used after FESS?
meds
Procedure:
may be indicated for chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, epsistaxis control, tumour excision
supine, head ring, head-up tilt position
not long (20-100mins), minimal blood loss but surgeons prefer bloodless field
shared airway limits access to a/w, potential for airway bleeding & post-op airway swell/obstruction, potential for displacement/obstruction/damage of pt or equipment. close communication vital.
Potential complications;
-haemorrhage which may compromise airway; topical TxA may reduce intra- & post-op blood loss, improve surgical field
-CSF leak & intracerebral infection/meningitis
-orbital/optic nerve trauma
-nasal vasoconstrictor (topical or infiltration) may—> significant HTN, incr O2 demand
-hypertensive/tachy response to topical VC; anticipate this (CLEAR communication w surgeons), if extreme HTN use alpha blocker prior to B. if surgeons use topical cocaine, max dose 2mg/kg. peak levels 30-60mins.
-complications of throat pack
Anaes considerations:
Prepare OT: south-facing oral RAE (better than reinforced LMA)
???throat pack NOT inserted by me, visual & written reminder
pre-O2 likely need guedel (blocked nose)
Induction: prop/remi
south-facing RAE
Maintenance prop/remi- excellent operating conditions for head & neck, smooth emergency
mod pain; remi & oxycodone (care if OSA- may consider fentanyl or half dosing foxy)
Emergence:
suction deep under direct vision (“coroner’s clot”)
load w anti-emetics
inclined head up for emergence, aim for coughless extubation (utilise remifentanil, ensure good volumes & breathing on command prior to extubatne)
Recovery:
sit pt up to reduce bleeding, may incorporate NPA into nasal pack to assist pt comfort
analgesia: rapid-acting
ongoing multi-modal anti-emetics
keep warm, likely standard ward unless significant comorbidity
IV in overnight (bleeding risk)
MICROLARYNGOSCOPY:
Examining larynx, excision/biopsy, may use laser
short (10-30mins) stimulating procedure
shared airway
want an awake pt at the end w minimal coughing
pt often multicomorbid (esp smoking)
Pt: often smoker, multi-comorbid (eg. malignant lesions, pulmonary & cardiovascular disease common)
may be @ risk for airway obstruction (careful airway Ax, FNE, plain films/CT.
Procedure:
examination of larynx, short, shared airway (ie. surgeons at the airway, access may be limited), stimulating when gag placed
DISCUSS with surgeons what they are planning to do-
depending on what surgeons doing (eg. ignition source w laser?), may be risk airway fire
discuss w surgeons if they want wrt airway:
-if they need to visualise laryngeal function (uncommon), must be S/V; high-flow & TIVA allows uninterrupted surgical access, unprotected airway. laser may be used (w blender). can achieve prolonged apnoeic oxygenation w HFNC. may be preferred to resect posterior lesion.
microlaryngoscopy tube w IPPV
-small ETTs allow better surgical access but only ant 2/3 of glottis. conventional IPPV & monitoring gas exchange & airway pressures. protects against aspiration of blood/surgical debris. measured inflation pressures will be high but Paw distal to tube will be lower.
-TIVA & jet ventilation using injector system (O2 + entrained air, preferred if laser used) via either: injector needle in operating laryngoscope (sanders technique, O2 & entrained air), tracheal catheter or cricothyroidotomy needle/cannula. I'd induce & use LMA or microlary tube initially, then when surgical team ready for laser, jet ventilation. Have anaes machine close by for FMV at induciton/recovery. minimal pressure to produce chest expansion- pt relaxed, hand on diaphragm to Ax. CLEAR communication w surgeons paramount. at end of case, alternative airway until S/V re-established.
POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS:
airway obstruction: have rigid bronch available
laryngospasm
airway fire/burns
VAE
PTx, subcut emphysema, PTx, pneumometiastinum,, barotrauma & difficulty maintaining oxygenation in morbid obesity or stiff thorax (hypoxaemia or hypercarbia)
gastric distension
aspiration risk (I generally don't use topical LA0 reduces risk laryngospasm but impairs airway protection)
if airway unsecured, risk spread of particulate matter w tracheobronchial viral or tumor seeding- N95 for all, eye protection, fire safety equip, difficult airway equipment, cricothyroidotocmyy kit, surgeon prepared for emergency tracheostomy or rigid bronch
anaesthetic:
PREPARE:
size 4, 5 or 6 ("paediatric size, adult length")
have saline ready (risk airway fire)- 50mL syringe prefilled
difficult airway trolley
IV 20g
pre-O2
TIVA (so don't rely on tube for ventilation) AND remifentanil (since the procedure short & stimulating), muscle relaxation (short-acting agent)
microlary tube
Airway:
Breathing:
tube high airway resistance so higher pressures needed to ventilate & lower I:E ratios often required, spont breathing doesn't work v well w MLT.
Low FiO2 during any laser/diathermy of the airway
risk poor oxygenation, atelectasis & shunt/desaturation during procedure
position supine w pad under sh, head extended
Postop risk stridor from oedema; dexamethasone 8mg to prevent, consider nebulised adrenaline. analgesia w paracetamol/NSAID.
PANENDOSCOPY:
Procedure:
short, stimulating
hyperextended position- risk vertebral artery dissection
laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, esophagoscopy
SHARED AIRWAY
anaes goals= deliver O2 (closed system w microlary & cuffed ETT or open system (STRIVE-Hi, supraglottic JV, subglottic, trans-tracheal), remove CO2, anaesthetise, protect airway from soiling or aspiration
surgeon requires immobile field & time for Dx evaluation & intervention.
risk middle column bleed/swell when remove lesion, risk rupture/damage. risk damage to structures (eg/ oes rupture)
discuss. wsurgeions oxygenation: mlt, spont vent, jet vent
Patient:
may have critical airway obstruction; in these cases, elective trache under local prior to endoscopy safest.
GROMMETS:
PATIENT:
Paediatrics: communication w pt & parent
population often w recurrent URTIs; timing of surgery to limit risk PRAEs
generally day case
PROCEUDRE:
very quick (5-15mins)
myringotomy & grommet insertion, usually bilateral
shared airway/limited airway access
emetogenic +++
ANAESTHETIC:
careful Ax re: URTIs & OSA (often tonsillar/adenoid hyperplasia)
prefer IV induction for pts w recurrent URTIs; EMLA & premed to assist eg. dexmed 1-2microg/kg IN (but care if recent URTI or if OSA)
pt needs to be deep +++ as it's very stimulating
BUT it's short :)
often gas induction, IV asleep 22g, hold mask (guedel in, T-piece, ensure reservoir bag visible) ideally (LMA if needed but ideally not instrument airway)
supine, head tilted to side, head ring
no blood loss
***reflex brady occ seen as partial vagal innervation of TM
rapid onset/offset agents
disposition: decision re: day case
anti-emetics ++
unlikely to need additional postop analgesia
MYRINGOPLASTY/other middle ear OT:
shared airway/limited access to airway
highly emetogenic
need for bloodless field
facial nerve monitoring
Pt:
usually young/fit
?PONV risk
Procedure:
shared airway, limited access to pt
myringoplasty= recon perf TM w autograft (usually temporalis fascia), 60-90min, mod pain, supine, head tilt to side, head ring, head-up, minimal blood loss
stapedectomy/tympanoplasty= excision/recon of damaged middle ear structures, 2-4hrs, mod/high pain, supine head tilt to side & head-up tilt, head ring, minimal blood loss
Anaes:
Pre-op consider coexisting CVS disease (informs appropriate degree of hypotension)
premedication
goals:
avoid coughing
dry bloodless surgical field (more important for stapedectomy)
N2O avoided (may produce diffusion into middle ear & risk lifting graft off, particularly important for myringoplasty)
For tympanoplasty, depends if over or underlay graft. If overlay, avoid N2O as it may lift it off. if underlay, N2O may actually help graft settle against bony rim.
Prepare:
drugs: if NI monitoring, avoid NMBs
E: south-facing RAE or SMA (reinf)
M:
AVOID cough during OT & induction: LA spray larynx, monitor NMB
POTENT opioid pre-induction, avoid coughing (LA spray to larynx), head-up tilt, avoid HTN/tachy (MAP 60mmHg & HR <60bpm in HEALTHY pts *cognisant of perfusion pressure to brain; art line particularly useful for stapedectomy/tympanoplasty & CVS disease or if using potent VD), remi great (for stapedectomy/tympanoplasty art line often used), labetalol or B blocker + vasodilator.
anti-emetics!
*vertigo risk (prochlorperazine)?
care w positioning/pressure areas (limited access to face/head), particularly important to have secure airway
postop:
prn analgesics (paracetamol or NSAID)
anti-emetic REGULAR for 24-48hrs
MASTOIDECTOMY= clearance of cholesteatoma from mastoid cavity (chronic infection that may have caused a cholesteatoma which may become invasive into CNS)
90-120mins
mod pain, head-up tilt, head tilt to side on ring, minimal blood loss, RAE tube or LMA
bloodless field needed (prop/remi TCI)
if disease close to facial nerve, no relaxant may be requested
LARYNGECTOMY or PHARYNGOLARYNGECTOMY:
Patient:
-likely to have some degree of airway obstruction, look @ prev chart (likely to have prev anaes record from Dx) but airway grade may have changed if time has elapsed.
-likely smokers, CVS/resp issues, malnutrition (low protein may affect drug Pk)
-ensure pt aware of tracheostomy implications
consider Hx obstructive symptpms, thorough airway exam, Ix incl FNE, imaging plain film or CT to see extent of lesion, d/w surgeons mobility
Procedure:
SHARED AIRWAY: communication, access, pressure risks, airway implications (eg. swelling)
e/o larynx & creation of end-stomal tracheostomy
PROLONGED (3-4hrs)
Pain +++
Position: supine, pad under sh, head ring, head-up tilt
POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS:
blood loss moderate (may be substantial); X-match 2 units
airway loss/obstruction (particularly during tube change to tracheostomy)
air emboli risk during dissection (watch EtCO2
Anaesthetic plan:
PREPARE:
-ICU bed booked.
-art line (discuss w surgeons their access (eg. they may want radial forearm free flap), temp probe IDC, consider CVC if multi-comorbid or anticipate particularly long/complex
-airway plans A/B/C (skilled anaesthetic nurse briefed), difficult airway trolley available, surgeon ready for emergency tracheosotomy if needed
-water in case airway fire
IV: large-bore x2 or one w CVC (FEMORAL)
Monitoring: art line, 5-lead, temp rpobe IDC< BIS, NMT
Equipment: diff airway as above
LONG tubing for breathing circuit & gas sampling tube
-pre-warm pt, FAWD & fluid warmer
Induction:
prop/remi, m relaxation
intubate w nasal tube or elective awake trache
insert fine-bore NG feeding tube @ induction (can suture to nasal septum)
MAIN RISK FOR AIRWAY= CHANGING TO TRACHE (reduce FiO2 during diathermy, just before change incr back to 100%, consider having a bougie placed if grade 3/4 view
Maintenance: care w pressure areas/position; head up MAP, pt likely malnourished. sh roll/head ring.
-if free flap, maintain yperdynamic circulation, MAP within 20% of baseline, Hb >=100 & Hct 30, TAPE vs tie, limit vasoconstrictors as 3rd line for MAP support
ABX PROPH @ LEAST 24HRS
long armoured tube via tracheostomy during surgery, change to standard @ end.
Postop:
HDU
humidification & regular suction
new trache causes coughing ++ (low-dose prop, morphine or BZD help.
multimodal analgesia (paracetamol & nSAID w prn morphine, IV/NG, surprisingly low analgesic requirements.
multi-modal anti-emesis.
If a pt w prev laryngectomy presents fur surgery, ventilate via stoma (paediatric face mask turned180 deg) or LMA applied to neck or intubate awake after LA to stoma (while tube insertion usually easy, check stoma for stenosis or tumour recurrence & always pre-oxygenate (I'd check w FOB after topicalisation & prior to intubation)
PAROTIDECTOMY:
PROCEDURE:
-e/o parotid gland, usually preserving facial nerve, temp probe IDC
2-5hrs, mod/severe pain
mall/mod blood loss; greater for malignancy, do hae G&S
PATIENT: most common is benign (pleomorphic adenoma) which can grow very large, may be for malignancy (4M's). if malignant, often locally invasive (***if so, may have impaired jaw opening; thorough airway Ax)
POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS:
bleeding
facial nerve damage
pressure areas (2-5hrs)
Anaes plan:
Prepare personnel, OT & equipment:
large-bore IVC 18g-16g, full body warming, art line, NMT (if use NMB for induction, need complete reverse), BIS, 5-lead ecg
Induction: prop/remi, just induction NMBD, south-facing RAE
Maintenance: pressure areas (may be prolonged)
remi to prevent movement after reversed NMBD, also great to reduce blood loss (reduce pulse, CO
Emergence: limit cough by keeping remi going @ low rate, longer acting opioid 15-20ins before end OT
head up, treat HTN early (clonidine useful), load w anti-emetics & ensure comfortable (limit SNS stimulation)
Postop: painful; multimodal, anti-emetics, monitor haemodynamics (consider degree of blood loss, ongoing limitation of HTN (limit neck haematoma)
NECK DISSECTION:
Patient: often multi-comorbid (elderly, smoking, IHD, PVD, DM, COPD, Ca & 4M's)
airway assessment, previous grades, how may radiotherapy or pathology impact airway
nutritional (eg. alb)/functional status, frailty
Pathology:
metabolic, mass effets, mets; optimise
likely difficult airway (eg. head/neck tumour, prev major surgery or RTx)
Procedure factors:
May be ass'd w laryngectomy or other major procedure.
#shared airway- DEMANDS HIGH LEVEL CO-OPERATION BTWN SURG&ANAES TEAMS, MAY LIMIT PT ACCESS, attention to protect eyes/neck/teeth
bleeding risk- may be mod-substantial. X-match 2-4 units. head up position, TIVA. NOT hypotensive anaesthesia, I ONLY lower pt's BP within 20% of normal, wouldn't lower beyond their range of auto-regulation (risk organ ischaemia)
prolonged, 2-4hrs (fatigue of surg/anaes/team)
may be e/o SCM, int/ext jugulars & LNs (selective may preserve some of these structures esp IJV)
supine, pad under shoulders, head on ring side tilt
Anaesthetic factors:
our aims for shared airway surgery= unobstructed motionless operative field, oxygenation, CO2 elimination, adequate anaesthesia, rapid return of consciousness & airway reflexes after surgery
airway assessment/plan (must include evaluation of location, extent, size & mobility of lesion, effects on laryngeal function & airway patency, changes in size of lesions, cross-sectional imaging helps define upper & lower limits of lesions, nasendoscopy provides warning re: appearance of lesions)
pressure care
fatigue/staffing management
Potential complications:
-neck oedema- paritcularly worse if prev neck dissection on other side. Dexamethasone 8mg preop then 4mg IV 6-hourly may help
-damage to blood vessels, nerves (RLN, phrenic), muscles, thyroid/parathyroids
-carotid stimulation & haemodynamic instability (surgeons stop stimulus, LA into carotid body, depending on severity- compressions or glycop/atropine may help)
-PTx
-air embolus during dissection (watch CO2)
-pressure areas, risk of pt injury from inadvertent leaning on eyes etc
-periop MI
-Pain often not significant
-Blood loss may be mod-substantial
Anaes plan:
Prepare:
HDU bed
airway plans a/b/c w anaes nurse briefed, difficult airway equipment avail incl ENT surgeon ready for FONA if high risk (may plan elective trache)
IV: large-bore 16g, CVC femoral is best (AVOID remaining jugulars, HEAD&NECK VENOUS DRAINAGE DEPENDENT ON THEM!)
Monitoring:
temp probe IDC, BIS, NMT, 5-lead, art line
Equipment: diff airway as above (primary airway either north-facing (nsall tube or oral reinforced, taped) or south Rae secured on opposite side (not my preference as hard to fix)
Maintenance: remi ideal (assists bloodless field, rapid titration for stimulating parts)
pressure areas, proph ABx, IVT, warming, cognisant of occult blood loss.
Emergence:
depending on duration & pt/surg factors, may go to ICU intubated
otherwise coughless extubation, pre-load w multi-modal anti-emetics, analgesia to help control SNS/hypertensive response (clonidine useful, treat any HTN early)
consideration for risk of extubation (eg. cuff leak test, AEC left in); likely head & neck oedema for several days (impaired venous drainage) SO very likely to send intubated to ICU.
keep head up, avoid excess IVT.
TRACHEOSTOMY:
Procedure:
moderate pain, blood loss normally small (risk bleeding from thyroid vessels)
often for long-term ICU ventilation or airway obstruction
consider appropriateness of GA vs awake under LA (not difficult if dyspnoeic pt)
cricothyroidotomy preferred for emergency airway access (more acessible, less likely to bleed)
Potential complications:
Immediate:
-skin incision & tube exchange (changing & inserting trache, during transport & on return to ward) are hazardous times w risk loss of airway
-Airway fire (during electrocautery, reduce FiO2 down to 0.3, then before actual exchange, 100%)
-O2 desat
-haemorrhage- most common & most commonly fatal complication: approach= secure airway from above, ensure cuff of ETT below the stoma, then surgical exploration.
-aspiration
-air embolism
-failure
-damage to tracheal rings or other structures (RLN, oesophagus)
intermediate:
-delayed haemorrhage (eg. infective erosion into blood vessels)
-tube displacement (if need to replace tracheostomy tube, avoid multiple attempts which may risk surgical emphysema & swelling & this may make laryngoscopy impossible. consider establishing the airway from above early vs late, PARTICULARLY for new trache).
-surgical emphysema (eg. false passage of tube into pretracheal tissues)
pneumomediastinum
PTx ( so need post-trache CXR)
tracheo-oes or trachea-arterial fistula
-dysphagia
-infection
-necrosis (@ cuff)
delayed:
-stenosis if tracheostomy too high, if too low risk erosion into Tx inlet great vessels. ideal site is between 2nd & 3rd tracheal rings. stenosis may be @ stoma or in trachea (mucosal necrosis, fibrosis)- low-pressure high-vol cuffs reduce incidence stenosis
-decannulation issues (eg. if VC paralysis)
-tracheo-cutaneous fistula (eg. granulomas)
-scar issues
-obstruction @ any time
-stomal recurrence
-poor healing after RTx
-incr risk resp tract infections (loss of humidification & filtration from nasal mucosa, risk of mucus accumulating in redundant area above trachea & below larynx & it may fall back into lungs, causing local inflammation)
-tracheal mucosal keratinisation, pt discomfort, incr secretions if cold unfiltered air
-coughing/irritating new tracheostomy: manage w humidified O2, neb 4% lignocaine, judicious opiate use
(relative contraindications to perc trache= age <12, significant gas exchange probs, moderate coagulopathy, morbid obesity/short neck, suspected C-spine injury, limited neck ROM, aberrant blood vessels, thyroid or tracheal pathology, evidence infection over the site. Elective perc tracheostomy should always use fiberoptic bronchoscopy).
Anaes plan:
Pre-op:
want to know:
-how easy is intubation from above likely to be (prev airway grade, any airway complications since)? how easy is anatomy for the tracheostomy placement likely to be? WHY is this case for OT vs for a perc tracheostomy in ICU (anticipate it must be due to anatomical complications/obesity)? if elective, MUST be in-hours when pt & staff rested & all personnel (incl ENT) available.
-how may other pulmonary, cardiovascular or other general co-morbidities impact anaesthetic & SAFETY TO TRANSFER FROM ICU TO OT? eg. if on 20 & 20 Adr, NAdr or 100% O2, unsafe to proceed w transfer to OT & elective surgical tracheostomy as the pt would not cope w the reduction in FiO2 for diathermy.
Assess:
ABCDE for ALL ICU pts
Previous airway grades, current ETT size & how long been in, problems with the tube & has it needed to be exchanged?
ventilatory function (P:F), whether setting have needed to be changed, latest gas (w A-a gradient)
coagulation status
other co-morbidities (incl what lines/access & meds been on- inotropes or vasopressors, sedation, ABC)
ensure NG feeds stopped in appropriate time
Prepare: for safe OT transfer as per college guidelines (along w drugs & monitoring & ventilator)
difficult airway trolley in OT, surgeon ready for emergency trach if required.
infusions (inotropes, vasopressors)
GA agent (propofol TIVA), m relaxant, analgesia (likely large fent)
Prior to commencing, ENSURE THE CONNECTOR FOR MY ANAES CIRCUIT FITS WITH WHAT THE SURGEONS HAVE FOR THE TRACHE, ensure correct tracheostomy tube & sterile catheter mount
Pt positioned w shoulder roll, exposing neck to optimise success, head ring, head-up tilt
aspirate NGT & clear oropharynx of secretions
Induce, m relaxant, analgesia (keep the pt going on the infusions they have, can supplement w VA)
laryngoscopy before start to gauge roughly airway grade
ensure ETT is secured but in a manner to be easily exchanged, going "north"
drape to allow access
FiO2 down for diathermy (eg. 30%), cuff down
Just before tube exchange, FiO2 100% for 3-4 mins & ensure NMB adequate
If prev difficult airway, can put a bougie down the tube just as surgeons ask me to withdraw tube
Close communication w surgeon re: withdrawing ETT (2 people, 1 to deflate cuff & withdraw on surgeon’s instruction, one to pass circuit & confirm vent)
ETT not removed from trachea until tracheostomy secure & certain, capnograph confirmed w adequate volumes/pressures for new tracheostomy connection
If any doubt, can check position w FOB (eg. concern re: false passage)
Postop:
To ICU, careful monitoring for complications post trache
regular suction (blood, secretions
humidify inspired gas
multimodalanalgesia in recovery, little need thereafter
morphine, BZD or low-dose props for cough w new trache
ante-emetic prn
pt needs valved device for phonation