Lasers Flashcards

1
Q

Laser stands for _____?

A

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

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2
Q

What is the relationship of wavelength to power?

A

Shorter the wavelength, higher the frequency, higher the power.

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3
Q

Name 2 ‘weak’ medical lasers and their uses

A

CO2 - Upper airway

Nd:YAG - distal tracheobronchial tree and retina

Note: The slides do say that Nd:YAG is a “powerful” laser, but my justification here is that while it is approximately 10X more powerful than the CO2, when compared to the other lasers (KTP, Argon) on the chart 3 slides prior, the Nd:YAG is a RELATIVELY lower-power laser.

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4
Q

Name 2 ‘powerful’ medical lasers and their uses.

A

KTP - Neurosurgical and otolaryngeal

Argon - Neuro, retinal, otolaryngeal

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5
Q

What is the color of a CO2 laser, Nd-YAG laser, He-Ne laser. Are they visible?

A

CO2: Invisible (far infrared)
Nd-YAG: Not visible (Near infrared)
He-Ne: Red (used as aiming beam)

The first 2 are not visible to the naked human eye; the 3rd is.

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6
Q

Name 3 main risks associated with laser use.

A

I got 4!

Fire
Burns
Eye Damage
Loss of Airway

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7
Q

Laser may be used for what type of surgeries of particular involvement with anesthesia providers?

A

Airway surgeries:

  • laryngeal papillomas
  • tracheal scarring
  • vascular malformations
  • neoplasms
  • idiopathic subglottic stenosis
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8
Q

What type of anesthesia is recommended for laser airway surgery?

A
  • VAA (Sevo) or TIVA
  • Low FiO2 (40% or less, 21% preferred)
  • Complete neuromuscular blockade
  • Avoid N2O
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9
Q

What is the preparation for a laser airway case?

A
  • Anti-sialagogue
  • Eye protection for OR personnel AND patient
  • Laser tube or ETT wrapped with laser tape (smaller tube size)
  • Bottle of saline/water immediately available
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10
Q

What is the maintenance technique of an above case? (this one’s a little long, sorry, it’s all the crap that was in the slide…)

A
  • Complete neuromuscular blockade
  • Routine monitoring
  • Close monitoring of breath sounds and EtCO2
  • Do not look into laser
  • Do not allow laser to lay on drapes
  • Be aware of when laser is in use and confirm in standby mode
  • Eye Protection (lube pt eyes, tape shut; saline soaked eye pads; laser goggles on pt; appropriate laser glasses on all OR personnel)
  • Continually assess cuff integrity
  • Do not breathe laser plume
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11
Q

How do you treat an airway fire?

A
  • Stop ALL gas flow, CUT pilot tube, EXTUBATE
  • Extinguish with H2O or NS
  • RE-INTUBATE emergently and VENTILATE with AIR ONLY until confirmation of no remaining fire
  • THEN VENTILATE with 100% O’s
  • Assess larynx, trachea, bronchiole tree for damage
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12
Q

What is the emergence, extubation technique?

A
  • Deep extubation
  • Airway blood may remain despite suctioning
  • Ensure all pledgets or throat packs have been removed
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13
Q

What are the postop risks?

A
  • Laryngospasm d/t irritation or remaining blood
  • Stridor
  • Excessive coughing
  • Bronchospasm

INTERVENE QUICKLY!!!

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14
Q

What 3 things are needed for a fire?

A
  • Fuel
  • Oxidizer
  • Ignition source
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15
Q

Most common laryngospasm muscle?

A

Cricothyroid (lengthens and tenses cords)

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