With respect to the neck circumference and the distance between
suprasternal notch and right mastoid process in the neck, the statistical significance was not made out (t=0.562, p>0.576) and (t=0.186, p > 0.853) (Table 4).
Failed insertion was defined as failed passage of PLMA into the pharynx, PLMA malposition (as detected by air leaks, negative
suprasternal notch test or failed gastric tube insertion) or ineffective ventilation (maximum expired tidal volume <8 ml/kg, EtC[O.sub.2] >45 mmHg).
The swelling was present 3 cm above the
suprasternal notch which was non-tender, smooth surfaced and hard in consistency.
The endotracheal tube was positioned by one of three methods: it was secured by palpating at the
suprasternal notch while holding the pilot balloon ([Group.sub.Cuff]); by placing the 21 cm mark at the upper incisors ([Group.sub.21cm]); or by placing a guide mark, which was made on the surface of the tube 2 cm above the proximal end of the cuff, at the level of the vocal cords ([Group.sub.VC]).
The incision was made halfway between the cricoid cartilage and the
suprasternal notch and deepened layer by layer.
A horizontal incision was given from right anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid to the opposite side, 2 fingerbreadth above
suprasternal notch, encompassing the wound of entry and the neck was explored.
For safe and successful subclavian vein cannulation via the infraclavicular route, the skin is punctured 2 to 3 cm caudal to the midpoint of the clavicle and thereafter it is advanced in an upward and inward direction towards the
suprasternal notch. At times it is difficult to maintain the desired angulation of the needle when a syringe is attached to its proximal end, paticularly in patients who are either obese, of short stature or females with prominent breasts.
Another cystic nodule was seen posterior to the trachea at the right
suprasternal notch. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid mass and left posterior triangle nodes detected atypical cells that were suspicious for papillary carcinoma.