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Mark Vierra

Publications and source records attributed to Mark Vierra.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Managing bariatric patients in a children's hospital: radiologic considerations and limitations.

As the increasing prevalence of pediatric obesity and its associated risks gain national attention, adolescent bariatric surgery is gradually gaining acceptance as a viable weight loss tool for some severely obese adolescents. Obese patients often exceed the capacity limits of most radiological devices used for imaging. Because the radiological evaluation often plays a crucial role in the management of these patients, it is important for pediatric surgeons and radiologists to be aware of the special challenges and alternative algorithms for radiological evaluation. This review outlines and illustrates these considerations and limitations. Herein the authors discuss these topics within the context of characteristic bariatric patient profiles and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure, currently the authors' standard operative approach.

Adolescent↗

Morbid obesity and tracheal intubation.

UNLABELLED: The tracheas of obese patients may be more difficult to intubate than those of normal-weight patients. We studied 100 morbidly obese patients (body mass index >40 kg/m(2)) to identify which factors complicate direct laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. Preoperative measurements (height, weight, neck circumference, width of mouth opening, sternomental distance, and thyromental distance) and Mallampati score were recorded. The view during direct laryngoscopy was graded, and the number of attempts at tracheal intubation was recorded. Neither absolute obesity nor body mass index was associated with intubation difficulties. Large neck circumference and high Mallampati score were the only predictors of potential intubation problems. Because in all but one patient the trachea was intubated successfully by direct laryngoscopy, the neck circumference that requires an intervention such as fiberoptic bronchoscopy to establish an airway remains unknown. We conclude that obesity alone is not predictive of tracheal intubation difficulties. IMPLICATIONS: In 100 morbidly obese patients, neither obesity nor body mass index predicted problems with tracheal intubation. However, a high Mallampati score (greater-than-or-equal to 3) and large neck circumference may increase the potential for difficult laryngoscopy and intubation.

Adult↗