AP 2 Test 4 Flashcards
What vessel supplies the anterior 2/3rds of the spinal cord with blood
Anterior spinal artery
From what vertebral levels does the Artery of Adamkiewicz stem from in the majority of patients (60%)?
T9-T12
What is a collective term for disorders of the spinal cord?
Myelopathy
What is a collective term for disorders of the spinal nerve roots?
Radiculopathy
Between which layers of the spinal cord are the vessels supplying the cord with blood located?
Between the arachnoid and pia mater
What is spina bifida
Failure of fusion of one or more vertebral arches
What is special about the anatomy of the vessels in the vertebral plexus?
They are valveless
Which vertebrae do the vertebral arteries travel through?
C1-C6
Which directions do most herniations of the spinal cord occur in?
Posteriorly and laterally b/c the posterior ligament is not very wide
What is important to ask pre-op when assessing pain of a patient presenting for a spinal surgery?
Where their pain is and what medication they are taking for it
Which table used in spinal surgeries helps decompress the epidural veins and prevent bleeding?
Jackson table
What is the most common intubation technique for a C1-C2 fusion surgery?
Fiberoptic intubation
What are the extubation considerations for a C1-C2 fusion surgery?
Delayed extubation so swelling can go down
What is an important structure that the surgeon must be careful of during an ACDF that could injure the patient’s airway if damaged?
Recurrent laryngeal nerve
What is a cervical laminoplasty?
A small section of the lamina is moved to expand the spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves
What test is done after a posterior cervical fusion to test dural closure?
Valsalva
What airway device may be needed during thoracic spine reconstruction and fusions of the T1-T8 spine?
Double lumen tube
What is scoliosis?
Lateral curvature and rotation of vertebrae
What measurement indicates the severity of respiratory impairment due to scoliosis?
Cobb angle
The lungs develop until what age?
8
How is FEV1/FVC affected in a patient with scoliosis?
Not affected - normal ratio
What pulmonary pattern presents on a flow-volume loop of a patient with scoliosis?
Restrictive
A patient with scoliosis has a vital capacity that is __-__% the normal value
60-80%
How does scoliosis affect lung volumes?
Decreased TLC, FRC, inspiratory capacity, expiratory reserve
Worsening pulmonary function due to scoliosis has to do with what aspects of the disease?
- How many vertebrae are involved
- How cephalad the discurvature lies
What cardiovascular issues occur in patients with scoliosis?
- Pulmonary HTN
- Right ventricular hypertrophy
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Cardiomyopathy
What pre-op workups are standard for almost every scoliosis surgery?
- CBC
- Type and screen
- Chest X ray
What pre-op test is needed if a patient with scoliosis has a history of pulmonary HTN?
ABG
What is a common anesthetic plan for patients with osteoporosis coming for a kypho- or vertebro- plasty?
Prone MAC
What huge nerve creates pain in the lower back and hip and down the back of the thigh when it is impinged?
Sciatic nerve
Vertebral roots of the sciatic nerve
L4-S3
If there is a spinal cord herniation between L4 and L5, which nerve root is being compressed?
L5
Most surgeons want a MAP above __ during lumbar fusion/laminectomies to maintain spinal cord perfusion
80
What regions of the spinal cord are the largest?
Cervical and lumbosacral b/c they’re innervating the limbs
Somatosensory evoked potentials monitor what part of the spinal cord?
Posterior cord
Motor evoked potentials monitor what part of the spinal cord?
Anterior cord
What nerves are stimulated during SSEP?
- Median
- Ulnar
- Posterior tibial
What spine surgeries use evoked potentials?
- Scoliosis
- Laminectomy w fusion
- Fractures
- Cord tumor
What MAC level can be run when monitoring SSEPs?
0.5-1 MAC
How does propofol affect SSEPs?
- Decreases amplitude
- Increases latency
How does etomidate affect SSEPs?
- Increases amplitude
- Increases latency
How does ketamine affect SSEPs?
Increases amplitude
How does nitrous affect SSEPs?
Decreases amplitude
Where is stimulation occuring during MEP?
Transcranial stimulation
What airway adjunct must you use during MEPs to avoid a swollen tongue?
Bilateral bite blocks
Where is the response to SSEPs monitored?
In the brain
Where is the response to MEPs monitored?
Hands, feet, teeth
During which evoked potential monitoring can you not use NMB?
Motor
What is the max MAC level you can use during MEP monitoring?
0.5 MAC
What anesthetic technique is commonly used when monitoring MEPs?
TIVA
What does spontaneous EMG monitor?
Muscle activity in a specific peripheral nerve when stimulated
What nerve is stimulated with a NIMs tube?
Recurrent laryngeal nerve
What is the purpose of triggered EMG?
To determine whether a pedicle screw is properly located
When should you considering setting up blood for spinal surgeries?
- When the patient has a tumor b/c usually you cannot use cell saver
- Multiple redo
- Multilevel surgery
- If surgeons are working near great vessels
- If the patient is anemic
- ESRD
What is spinal shock?
Flaccid paralysis below a spinal cord injury that causes loss of sensation and vascular reflexes
How are vitals affected when a patient has spinal shock?
Hypotension and bradycardia due to increased vagal tone
If a patient with spinal shock does not have tachycardia in response to hypovolemia, you know the injury occurred at what levels
T1-T4 - cardiac accelerators
Patients with spinal shock can only have succinylcholine in the first __ hours of the injury
48
When does hyperkalemia due to spinal shock peak?
2 weeks
How should CO2 levels be maintained in a patient with spinal shock?
Avoid hypocarbia because that will decrease spinal blood flow
Autonomic hyperreflexia can occur with a complete transection above what spinal level?
T6
What is autonomic hyperreflexia?
Vasoconstriction below the level of a spinal transection but vasodilation above the transection - occurs after spinal shock has worn off and is set off by a stimulation below the level of the injury
What are the cardiovascular signs of autonomic hyperreflexia?
Hypertension with bradycardia
Treatment for autonomic hyperreflexia
- Stop surgery
- Deepen anesthetic
- Nitroglycerin
Which spine surgeries have the highest incidence of post-op blindness
- Scoliosis
- Posterior lumbar fusion
How does ischemic optic neuropathy occur (ION)?
Decreased blood supply and O2 delivery to the optic nerve
What type of ION is more common after spine surgeries?
Posterior
Patients in the prone position are at risk of what eye injury?
Central retinal artery occlusion
What treatments are available for central retinal artery occlusion?
- Stellate ganglion block
- Ocular massage
- Acetazolaminde
- 5% CO2 in oxygen inhaled
- Local hypothermia
What are the surgical risk factors for post-op vision loss?
- Prone positioning
- Wilson frame
- Prolonged robotic surgery with head down
- Surgery greater than 6 hours
- EBL greater than 1 liter
What is the anesthetic risk factor for post-op vision loss?
Decreased percent colloid
What are the patient risk factors for post-op vision loss?
- Male
- Obese
What are the ASA’s recommendation for avoiding post-op vision loss?
- Decrease venous congestion and edema in the head
- Keep head at or above level of the heart
- Include colloid in fluid replacements
Venous air embolism is most common in what position?
Sitting
What methods can we use to detect venous air emboli?
- TEE
- Precordial doppler
- Mill wheel murmur
Cardiovascular signs of a VAE
- Hypotension
- Tachycardia
- Increased PA pressure
- Decreased cardiac output
Effect of VAE on saturation
Decreases saturation
Effect of VAE on end tidal gases
- Decreased ETCO2
- Exhaled nitrogen
Treatment of VAE
- Flood field with fluid
- 100% O2
- Aspirate if you have CVP
- Fluid bolus
- Pressors
- Jugular compression to prevent further entrainment
- CPR
What position is used to treat VAE
Left side down
What should be included in your post-op assessment of a patient who’s undergone spinal surgery?
- Edema of face/eyes
- Vision
- Position
- Neuro exam
What are the risks involved in laser surgery for ENT cases?
- Airway fires
- Eye injury
What are the risks associated with jet ventilation techniques used in ENT surgery?
- Hypercapnia
- Barotrauma
What risks are associated with fiberoptic intubations used for ENT surgery?
A failed intubation means an emergency surgical airway is the backup
What risks are associated with nasal intubations?
Epistaxis
What risk is associated with TIVAs used for ENT surgery?
Awareness
What risk is associated with controlled hypotension in ENT surgeries?
Ischemia
What abnormal patient characteristics are commonly found in ENT?
- Head/neck cancers
- Limited c-spine ROM
- Decreased mouth opening
- Decreased tissue compliance
- Receding jaw
- Distorted airway anatomy
- Vocal cord dysfunction
- Large tongue
How should analgesia be managed for most ENT surgeries?
Good intraop and postop analgesia is necessary because most procedures are performed on highly reflexogenic areas
It’s common to keep the patient’s systolic pressure under ___ mmHg to maintain a bloodless field for ENT surgeries
100
What is the goal MAP for patient’s undergoing ENT surgery in order to maintain a bloodless field?
60-70
What are the various types of endoscopies used in ENT surgeries?
- Laryngoscopy
- Microlaryngoscopy
- Esophagoscopy
- Bronchoscopy
What are common indications for endoscopies?
- Voice disorders
- Stridor
- Hemoptysis
What are pre-op considerations for endoscopies?
- Focus on H&P to look for any potential airway problems
- Review prior notes and imaging from ENT clinic
If you aren’t expecting to be able to easily mask ventilate or DL your patient in an ENT surgery, what should be done?
Secure the airway before induction with a fiberoptic bronchoscope or awake tracheostomy
What are the critical steps when preparing for a fiberoptic intubation?
- Have patient mentally and pharmacologically prepared
- Have ALL equipment prepared
- Make sure the ENT surgeon is in the room so they can assist
What is the dose of atropine when used as an antisialagogue for fiberoptic intubation?
0.5-1mg IV or IM
What is the dose of glycopyrrolate when used as an antisialagogue for fiberoptic intubation?
0.2-0.4mg IV or IM
What is the loading dose of dexmedetomidine when used as a sedative?
1mcg/kg over 10 min
What is the infusion dose of dexmedetomidine when used for sedation?
0.2-0.7mcg/kg/hr
Dose of Alfentanil
100-1000mcg IV
When should antisialogogues be given for a fiberoptic intubation?
20-30min prior to airway manipulation
1 side effect of dexmedetomidine
Bradycardia
Which commonly used antisialogouge crosses the blood brain barrier and can cause psychosis, confusion, and dizziness?
Atropine
What are the advantages to using Afrin nasally before local topicalization for nasal intubation?
It provides vasoconstriction and keeps the lidocaine from getting absorbed systemically
How should lidocaine swabs be used before a fiberoptic intubation?
Swab the patient’s nose with 2-4% lidocaine and leave for 5-15 minutes before intubation
What cranial nerve innervates the nasal cavity and turbinates?
Trigeminal
What are the topicalization options available for the oropharynx and larynx?
- Gargle with lidocaine
- Benzocaine spray (hurricaine)
- Facemask or oral nebulizer with 2-4% lidocaine
- Lidocaine ointment to posterior pharynx with tongue depressor
- Trans-tracheal block
What issue can occur when too much hurricane (benzocaine) spray is applied?
Methemoglobinemia
What membrane is pierced during a trans-tracheal block?
Cricothyroid membrane
What cranial nerve innervates the oropharynx and posterior third of the tongue?
Glossopharyngeal
What cranial nerve innervates the epiglottis and more distal airway structures?
Vagus
How must muscle relaxation be managed for a laryngeal endoscopy?
There must be masseter muscle relaxation until the end of the case, can be achieved with intermittent non-depolarizing blockade boluses or a SUX infusion
What can occur if you run a sux infusion too long?
You can get a Phase II blockade and the sux will act like a non-depolarizing blockade
What tube is often used for a laryngeal endoscopy?
Specialized microlaryngoscopy tube
What is special about a specialized microlaryngoscopy tube?
- Longer than standard ETT tube
- High volume/low pressure cuff
- Stiffer so it is less prone to compression
What is the issue with jet ventilation that you must be very careful with?
It does not ensure ventilation so you must be very careful to allow a full exhalation by watching the chest rise and fall completely
How long and at what pressure should inspiration with a jet ventilator be administered?
1-2 seconds at 30-50psi
How long should you allow for expiration after a breath with a jet ventilator?
4-6 seconds
What anesthetic method is required when using jet ventilation?
TIVA
What monitor is not available when using jet ventilation?
ETCO2
What cardiovascular considerations should be accounted for during a laryngeal endoscopy?
There are alternating times of extreme stimulation and no stimulation so there is frequent alternations between hypo- and hyper- tension
What are the advantages of a metal ETT tube used for laser surgery?
- Combustion resistant
- Kink resistant
- Double cuff
What are the disadvantages of a metal ETT tube used for laser surgery?
- Thick walled
- Transfers heat
- Reflects laser beams
What are the advantages of a silicone ETT tube used for laser surgery?
- Small
- Non-reflective
- Atraumatic
What are the disadvantages of a silicone ETT tube used for laser surgery?
- Silicone is combustible
- Teflon ignition=toxic ash
- Metal foil can unwrap and cause occlusion of airway
What is the ideal FiO2 for laser surgery?
21%
What should be placed in the airway during laser surgery to limit risk of ETT ignition?
Saline-soaked pledgets
What is the fire triad?
1) Oxidizer (O2, N2O)
2) Ignition source (laser, scopes, surgical devices)
3) Fuel (ETT, gauze, alcohol solutions)
What should be done when an airway fire occurs?
1) Stop the procedure
2) Stop ventilation and flow of all airway gases
3) Remove the tube and flammable materials
4) Pour saline in patients airway
5) Ventilation with facemask on room air
6) Reintubate as soon as you can
What are special pre-op considerations for nasal and sinus surgeries
- Could be a difficult mask ventilation
- Asthma/allergic disorders
- Recent use of ASA/Plavix
What airway equipment is often needed for nasal and sinus surgeries?
- Oral airway during mask ventilation
- Oral RAE
What are positioning considerations for nasal and sinus surgeries?
- Arms often tucked
- Slight head up positioning (make sure patient doesn’t have risk factors for CVA)
Extubation technique for nasal and sinus surgeries
Usually deep extubation