Bougie‐related airway trauma: dangers of the hold‐up sign

Abstract

The bougie is a popular tool in difficult intubations. The hold-up sign is used to confirm tracheal placement of a bougie. This study aimed to establish the potential for airway trauma when using this sign with an Eschmann re-usable bougie or a Frova single-use bougie. Airways were simulated using a manikin (hold-up force) and porcine lung model (airway perforation force). Mean (SD) hold-up force (for airway lengths over the range 25-45cm) of 1.0 (0.4) and 5.2 (1.1)N were recorded with the Eschmann and Frova bougies, respectively (p<0.001). The mean (SD) force required to produce airway perforation was 0.9 (0.2)N with the Eschmann bougie and 1.1 (0.3)N with the Frova bougie (p=0.11). It is possible to apply a force at least five times greater than the force required to produce significant trauma with a Frova single-use bougie. We recommend that the hold-up sign should no longer be used with single-use bougies. Clinicians should be cautious when eliciting this sign using the Eschmann re-usable bougie.