• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.158-164
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• 2017

Objectives: To identify bacterial contamination rates of laryngoscope blades and handles stored in emergency crash carts by hospital and area according to the frequency of intubation attempts. Methods: One hundred forty-eight handles and 71 blades deemed ready for patient use from two tertiary hospitals were sampled with sterile swabs using a standardized rolling technique. Samples were considered negative (not contaminated) if no colonies were present on the blood agar plate after an 18-hour incubation period. Samples were stratified by hospital and according to the frequency of intubation attempts (10 attempts per year) using the ${\chi}^2-test$ and Fisher exact test. Results: One or more species of bacteria were isolated from 4 (5.6%) handle tops, 20 (28.2%) handles with knurled surfaces, and 27 (18.2%) blades. No significant differences were found in microbial contamination levels on the handle tops and blades between the two hospitals and two areas according to the frequency of intubation attempts. However, significant differences were found between the two hospitals and two areas in the level of microbial contamination on the handles with knurled surfaces (p<0.05). Conclusions: Protocols and policies must be reviewed to standardize procedures to clean and disinfect laryngoscope blades and handles; handles should be re-designed to eliminate points of contact with the blade; and single-use, one-piece laryngoscopes should be introduced.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2024

The video laryngoscope is a novel instrument for intubation that enables indirect visualization of the upper airway. It is recognized for its ability to enhance Cormack-Lehane grades in the management of difficult airways. Notably, video laryngoscopy is associated with equal or higher rates of intubation success within a shorter time frame than direct laryngoscopy. Video laryngoscopy facilitates faster and easier visualization of the glottis and reduces the need for Magill forceps, thereby shortening the intubation time. Despite the advanced glottic visualization afforded by video laryngoscopy, nasotracheal tube insertion and advancement occasionally fail. This is particularly evident during nasotracheal intubation, where oropharyngeal blood or secretions may obstruct the visual field on the monitor, thereby complicating video laryngoscopy. Moreover, the use of Magill forceps is markedly challenging or nearly unfeasible in this context, especially in pediatric cases. Furthermore, the substantial blade size of video laryngoscopes may restrict their applicability in individuals with limited oral apertures. This study aimed to review the literature on video laryngoscopy, discuss its clinical role in nasotracheal intubation, and address the challenges that anesthesiologists may encounter during the intubation process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.101-104
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• 2010

The origin and growth of laryngology is inseparably linked to the development of endoscopic surgery of the larynx. Phonomicrosurgery is a means of maximally preserving the layered microstructure of the vocal fold, that is, the epithelium and lamina propria. Phonomicrosurgery has developed from convergence of micro laryngoscopic surgical technique theory and the mucosal wave theory of laryngeal sound production. Improvements in technology (i.e., laryngoscopes, handled instruments, and lasers), which in part arise from developments in more frequently performed minimally invasive surgical procedures, will probably facilitate the next generation of procedural innovations. The best methods of optimizing phonosurgical outcomes include making an accurate diagnosis, completing a comprehensive voice evaluation, providing sufficient preoperative therapy, carefully selecting patients to undergo phonomicrosurgical procedures, and requiring sufficient postoperative rest and therapy. Phonomicrosurgery will continue to evolve as a result of the interdependent collaboration of surgeons with voice scientists, speech pathologist, and other voice professionals.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2013

The term "phonosurgery," coined in the early 1960s, refers to surgical procedures that maintain, restore, or enhance the human voice. Phonosurgery includes phonomicrosurgery (endoscopic microsurgery of the vocal folds), laryngoplastic phonosurgery (open-neck surgery that restructures the cartilaginous framework of the larynx and the soft tissues), laryngeal injection (injection of medications as well as synthetic and organic biologic substances), and reinnervation of the larynx. Phonomicrosurgery is a means of maximally preserving the layered microstructure of the vocal fold, that is, the epithelium and lamina propria. The purpose of the surgery is usually to improve the vibratory characteristics of the layered microstructure of the vocal folds. Phonomicrosurgery has developed from convergence of microlaryngoscopic surgical technique theory and the mucosal wave theory of laryngeal sound production. Improvements in technology (i.e., laryngoscopes, handled instruments, and lasers), which in part arise from developments in more frequently performed minimally invasive surgical procedures, will probably facilitate the next generation of procedural innovations. The best methods of optimizing phonosurgical outcomes include making an accurate diagnosis, completing a comprehensive voice evaluation, providing sufficient preoperative therapy, carefully selecting patients to undergo phonomicrosurgical procedures, and requiring sufficient postoperative rest and therapy. Phonomicrosurgery will continue to evolve as a result of the interdependent collaboration of surgeons with voice scientists, speech pathologist, and other voice professionals.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.75-89
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• 2012

Purpose : This research was designed to provide basic data for advanced pre-hospital airway management by comparing the time to ventilation and success rate for tracheal intubation performed with Macintosh laryngoscope and intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway(ILMA) in a manikin. Methods : All participants were novice users among EMT-Paramedic students and were divided into two groups: (1) the group for Macintosh laryngoscope guided tracheal intubation(MLG-TI) (2) the group for ILMA guided tracheal intubation(ILMA-TI). After an introductory lecture and demonstration, each group made an attempt ten tracheal intubation to compare the ventilation time and success rate for tracheal intubation. Results : 1) There was significant difference in the time to ventilation through MLG-TI, the time to first and second ventilation through ILMA-TI of the 10 attempts. 2) The time to first ventilation through ILMA-TI was significantly shorter than that of ventilation through MLG-TI. 3) There was no significant difference between the time to ventilation through MLG-TI and the time to second ventilation through ILMA-TI. 4) The success rates of ILMA-TI were significantly higher than those of MLG-TI. Conclusion : ILMA-TI can be an alternative method for MLG-TI in advanced pre-hospital airway management.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2013

Because the human voice is produced through vibration of the vocal cords during the exhalation of airflow, it is important to observe the vibration pattern of the vocal cords in patients complaining of voice changes. However, it is not easy to observe the actual vibration pattern of the vocal cord because it vibrates so fast that it cannot be observed by the naked eye and it is located deep in the throat. Recently, with advances in instruments, including laryngoscopes and video camera systems, the vibration pattern of the vocal cords can now be observed. However, considering that present video camera systems can detect 30-60 images per second and the vocal cord vibrates at 100-200 and 200-300 times per second in men and women, respectively, it is not possible to record the whole mucosal wave of the vocal cord in real time. To overcome this limitation, a stroboscope, which converts fast movements of the vocal cord into slower images, has been developed. Since then, several instruments were developed to examine vocal vibration pattern. However, each instruments have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, we should know about these things to apply them in patients with voice problem.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2024

Nasotracheal intubation (NTI) plays an important role in pediatric airway management, offering advantages in specific situations, such as oral and maxillofacial surgery and situations requiring stable tube positioning. However, compared to adults, NTI in children presents unique challenges owing to anatomical differences and limited space. This limited space, in combination with a large tongue and short mandible, along with large tonsils and adenoids, can complicate intubation. Owing to the short tracheal length in pediatric patients, it is crucial to place the tube at the correct depth to prevent it from being displaced due to neck movements, and causing injury to the glottis. The equipment used for NTI includes different tube types, direct laryngoscopy vs. video laryngoscopy, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Considering pediatric anatomy, the advantages of video laryngoscopy have been questioned. Studies comparing different techniques have provided insights into their efficacy. Determining the appropriate size and depth of nasotracheal tubes for pediatric patients remains a challenge. Various formulas based on age, weight, and height have been explored, including the recommendation of depth-mark-based NTI. This review provides a comprehensive overview of NTI in pediatric patients, including the relevant anatomy, equipment, clinical judgment, and possible complications.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.195-202
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• 2020

Background: Nasotracheal intubation is the most commonly used method to secure the field of view when performing surgery on the oral cavity or neck. Like orotracheal intubation, nasotracheal intubation uses a laryngoscope. Hemodynamic change occurs due to the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. Recently, video laryngoscope with a camera attached to the end of the direct laryngoscope blade has been used to minimize this change. In this study, we investigated the optimal effect-site concentration (Ce) of remifentanil for minimizing hemodynamic responses during nasotracheal intubation with a video laryngoscope. Methods: Twenty-one patients, aged between 19 and 60 years old, scheduled for elective surgery were included in this study. Anesthesia was induced by slowly injecting propofol. At the same time, remifentanil infusion was initiated at 3.0 ng/ml via target-controlled infusion (TCI). When remifentanil attained the preset Ce, nasotracheal intubation was performed using a video laryngoscope. The patient's blood pressure and heart rate were checked pre-induction, right before and after intubation, and 1 min after intubation. Hemodynamic stability was defined as an increase in systolic blood pressure and heart rate by 20% before and after nasotracheal intubation. The response of each patient determined the Ce of remifentanil for the next patient at an interval of 0.3 ng/ml. Results: The Ce of remifentanil administered ranged from 2.4 to 3.6 ng/ml for the patients evaluated. The estimated optimal effective effect-site concentrations of remifentanil were 3.22 and 4.25 ng/ml, that were associated with a 50% and 95% probability of maintaining hemodynamic stability, respectively. Conclusion: Nasotracheal intubation using a video laryngoscope can be successfully performed in a hemodynamically stable state by using the optimal remifentanil effect-site concentration (Ce₅₀, 3.22 ng/ml; Ce₉₅, 4.25 ng/ml).