Test # 2 Flashcards
Definition of Laryngospasm
A primitive protective laryngeal reflex, a magnified glottic closure reflex in response to a glottic stimuli.
(a lot of reasons, bumping, moving, loud noises, touch, moving of ETT, etc)
Superior Laryngeal Nerve Has what two branches?
Internal and External
Internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve
Supplies SENSORY innervation to hypo-pharynx ABOVE glottic opening (vocal cords). (INSENSE) internal = sensory
Physiology of Laryngospasm
What nerve stimulation causes this? (2)
caused by noxious stimuli
precise mechanism not known
involves combined contraction of laryngeal muscles
- Superior Laryngeal Nerve
External branch of superior laryngeal nerve
Supplies MOTOR function to cricothyroid muscles.
Physiology of laryngospasm resembles what?
What 2 responses occur?
Shutter-effect and “ball-valve” effect.
glottic closure (intermittent) and laryngeal close (complete obstruction)
What are the pre-operative risk factors for laryngospam?
Smoking (or second hand) Recent URI, infections, inflammation GERD Mechanical irritants - (ie secretions, blood, coughing, frequent suctioning, artificial airways, bronchospasm.) Obesity OSA
What are the intra-operative risk factors for laryngospasm?
Difficult intubation
“excitement” phase of anesthetic
intubation or extubation during “light anesthesia” (phase 2)
Upper airway surgical procedures
What is the incidence of Larygnspasm?
Visvanathan - 0.78-5%
Nagelhaut -
GREATEST in recent URI (95.8/1000)
Children exposed to smoking (9.4%)
Children NOT exposed to smoking (0.9%)
What are the signs and symptoms of laryngospasm?
6 categories
- Oxygen desaturation (hypoxia) cyanosis
- No ETCO2
- Inadequate:
a. chest rise
b. ventilation
c. breath sounds - Agitation, respiratory distress, CROWING sound, stridor
- Cardiac dysrhythmias (tachy, brady, and asystole)
- Negative pressure pulmonary edema (pink frothy foam!) -eww!
What do you do when your patient has a laryngospasm??
- FIRST AND FOREMOST - RAPID INTERVENTION IS KEY -
- Remove noxious stimuli
- Administer PPV with 100% O2 (continuous)
- Jaw thrust and/or pressure on laryngospam notch.
- IV propofol (small doses only)
- Succs (IV or IM - subparalytic doses) (10-20 mg doses)
POSSIBLY: lidocaine, but not used much anymore.
What exactly is a bronchospasm?
An acute and reversible closing of the broncho-pulmonary segments.
What does a bronchospasm result from?
An INCREASE in bronchial smooth muscle tone (from a number of different stimuli), resulting in closure of the small airway.
(Bronchospasm)
As a result of the increased inspiratory force against a closed airway, what develops?
Airway edema, causing secretions to build up in the airway.
- What makes bronchiolar dilation occur, SNS or PNS?
2. Vice versa, what makes it contract?
- SNS (sympathetic nervous system)
2. PNS (parasympathetic nervous system)
Risk Factors/Causes of Bronchospasm
- Smoker, COPD, Lung disease
- Asthma
- Aspiration, suctioning, intubation
- Histamine release from medication reaction
- Stress of surgery
- Light anesthesia
Incidence of bronchospasm?
In adults 0.4%
In Children 4.1%
Management of bronchospasm
100% O2 administration
Maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation
Ongoing assessment of lungs, color, tube placement, overall status
Increase anesthetic depth
Bronchodilators
Identify and TREAT cause
(can give Epi 1-10 mcg/kg)
Recurrent Laryngeal nerve
Provides MOTOR function to the rest of the pharynx BELOW the glottis (vocal cords).
Loops around 2 anatomic areas:
R side loops around the brachiocephalic (innominate) artery
L side loops around the aorta
The Vagus nerve is the source of what nerves?
Superior and Recurrent Laryngeal nerves