Table of Contents

Departments 

Letters
Print version: 2005;73:169-170.
The use of the laryngeal mask airway with mechanical positive pressure ventilation
Michael Troop, CRNA, PhD, LTC, USA (ret.)

Response
Suzanne Synder-Clickett, CRNA, MSN
Carrie Chmielewski, CRNA, MSN

Guest Editorial
Lumbar discography: A tool for understanding spinal pain
Jackie S. Rowles, CRNA, MBA, FAAPM
Print version: 2005;73:173-175
Key words: Computed tomography scan, discography, provocative discography.

Anesthesia information management systems
Joe R. Williams, CRNA, MS
Documentation is the last component of anesthesia patient management to be affected by technology, explains the author, who provides information related to the patient and businesses related uses of computerized anesthesia record keeping. The author states that knowledge of these topics will provide nurse anesthetists with the ability to have valid input in the purchase and implementation of an information management system.
Print version: 2005;73:178-181.
Key words: Automated, database, documentation, information management, vendor.

Suspected pharyngoesophageal perforation after a difficult intubation: A case report
Douglas Winston Heater, CRNA, MS, MSN, CCRN, ACNP
Leah Haskvitz, CRNA, MS
Although uncommon and rarely reported, pharyngoesophageal perforation has medical and legal consequences of substantial proportion. Perforation of the upper aerodigestive system may result in severe airway complications that include pneumothorax, pneumonia, mediastinitis, and retropharyngeal abscess. In this case report, the authors point out that knowledge of and prompt attention to the cardinal signs of pharyngoesophageal injury in partnership between the anesthetist and the surgical team were the key instruments in ruling out this potentially devastating diagnosis.
Print version: 2005;73:185-187.
Key words: Adverse respiratory events, esophageal perforation, pharyngoesophageal perforation.

Assessing the degree of involvement of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists in airway management and trauma stabilization in rural hospitals
Marlo Penn, CRNA, MSN, TNS
Jacklyn Ruthman, RN, PhD
This study was designed to address the issue of involvement of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists in airway management and trauma stabilization in rural hospitals through a descriptive, quantitative, nonexperimental design study. Results revealed the majority of CRNAs working in rural and semirural settings manage airways and stabilize the condition of trauma patients. Practice patterns suggest that nurse anesthesia students be trained to manage airways and stabilize trauma, particularly if they plan to work in rural or semirural settings.
Print version: 2005;73:191-196.
Key words: Airway management, airway management and trauma stabilization scale, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, rural hospitals, trauma stabiliation.

Are patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome appropriate candidates for the ambulatory surgical center?
Daniel D. Moos, CRNA, MS
Matt Prasch, CRNA, MS
David E. Cantral, MD
Ben Huls, CRNA, MS
James D. Cuddeford, CRNA, MA
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disease process affecting every phase of anesthesia care delivery. The authors explain that patients with OSAS undergoing procedures at ambulatory surgery centers may be at increased risk because they are discharged to home. The influence of residual anesthetics, analgesia, airway edema, and disruption of sleep cycles may result in significant postoperative apneic events in this patient population.
Print version: 2005;73:197-205.
Key words: Ambulatory surgery center, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, respiratory complications.

Use of a remifentanil and propofol combination in outpatients to facilitate rapid discharge home
William J. Brady, CRNA, MSN
Daniel R. Meenan, DMD, MD
Tirunellai R. Shankar, MD
Jennifer A. Balon, CRNP, MSN
Deanna R. Mennett, RN, BSN
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the combination of remifentanil and propofol facilitated shorter recovery time and decreased charges compared with conventional balanced anesthesia. The authors studied patients who underwent elective outpatient surgery. They concluded that a remifentanil-propofol combination is more cost effective than conventional balanced anesthestics and enables some patients to bypass the PACU, resulting in quicker discharge.
Print version: 2005;73:207-210.
Key words: Ambulatory surgery, outpatient surgery, propofol, remifentanil.

Insertion of a folded laryngeal mask airway around a palatal torus
Allan J. Schwartz, CRNA, DDS
In this review article, the author states that a palatal torus is a common benign bony exostosis that should be recognized by the anesthesia provider during the preoperative anesthetic assessment. A palatal torus can hinder insertion of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) when using the standard LMA insertion technique, therefore, modification must be made to the operator's insertion technique with a folded LMA around a palatal torus.
Print version: 2005;73:211-216.
Key words: Folded LMA insertion, laryngeal mask airway, LMA insertion, palatal torus.