PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This editorial review summarizes the current anesthetic management of patients with anterior mediastinal masses. RECENT FINDINGS: With increased appreciation of the correct intraoperative management of these cases severe intraoperative respiratory or cardiovascular collapse is less likely to occur during general anesthesia. Maintenance of spontaneous ventilation is the anesthetic goal whenever possible. Major life-threatening complications now occur more frequently postoperatively. SUMMARY: General anesthesia is not safe in patients with severe positional symptoms from an anterior mediastinal mass. With modern imaging techniques, general anesthesia is rarely needed for diagnostic procedures in these patients. Preoperative flow-volume loops are not useful in the management of these patients and the concept of cardiopulmonary bypass on 'standby' is not appropriate during induction of anesthesia.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This editorial review summarizes the current anesthetic management of patients with anterior mediastinal masses. RECENT FINDINGS: With increased appreciation of the correct intraoperative management of these cases severe intraoperative respiratory or cardiovascular collapse is less likely to occur during general anesthesia. Maintenance of spontaneous ventilation is the anesthetic goal whenever possible. Major life-threatening complications now occur more frequently postoperatively. SUMMARY: General anesthesia is not safe in patients with severe positional symptoms from an anterior mediastinal mass. With modern imaging techniques, general anesthesia is rarely needed for diagnostic procedures in these patients. Preoperative flow-volume loops are not useful in the management of these patients and the concept of cardiopulmonary bypass on 'standby' is not appropriate during induction of anesthesia.
Authors: Basem Abdelmalak; Nicholas Marcanthony; Joseph Abdelmalak; Michael S Machuzak; Thomas R Gildea; D John Doyle Journal: J Anesth Date: 2010-05-08 Impact factor: 2.078
Authors: Luke McCrone; Sarah Alexander; Cengiz Karsli; Glenn Taylor; Joao G Amaral; Dimitri Parra; Michael Temple; Philip John; Bairbre L Connolly Journal: Pediatr Radiol Date: 2011-08-24
Authors: K K Ramalingam; Ravi Ramalingam; Kaustabh Kalita; K Nijo Joseph; Rajan Santosham Journal: Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2015-05-05