Alternative Airway Research Articles

Quality and safety in prehospital airway management – retrospective analysis of 18,000 cases from an air rescue database in Germany

BackgroundPrehospital airway management remains crucial with regard to the quality and safety of emergency medical service (EMS) systems worldwide. In 2007, the benchmark study by Timmermann et al. hit the German EMS community hard by revealing a significant rate of undetected oesophageal intubations leading to an often-fatal outcome. Since then, much attention has been given to guideline development and training. This study evaluated the incidence and special circumstances of tube misplacement as an adverse peri-intubation event from a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services perspective.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of a German helicopter-based EMS database from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2020. All registered patients were included in the primary analysis. The results were analysed using SPSS 27.0.1.0.ResultsOut of 227,459 emergency medical responses overall, a total of 18,087 (8.0%) involved invasive airway management. In 8141 (45.0%) of these patients, airway management devices were used by ground-based EMS staff, with an intubation rate of 96.6% (n = 7861), and alternative airways were used in 3.2% (n = 285). Overall, the rate of endotracheal intubation success was 94.7%, while adverse events in the form of tube misplacement were present in 5.3%, with a 1.2% rate of undetected oesophageal intubation. Overall tube misplacement and undetected oesophageal intubation occurred more often after intubation was carried out by paramedics (10.4% and 3.6%, respectively). In view of special circumstances, those errors occurred more often in the presence of trauma or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, with rates of 5.6% and 6.4%, respectively. Difficult airways with a Cormack 4 status were present in 2.1% (n = 213) of HEMS patients, accompanied by three or more intubation attempts in 5.2% (n = 11).ConclusionsPrehospital airway management success has improved significantly in recent years. However, adverse peri-intubation events such as undetected oesophageal intubation remain a persistent threat to patient safety.Trial registrationThe study was registered in the German Register for Clinical Studies (number DRKS00028068).

Association between orthodontic treatment and upper airway changes in children assessed with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT): A systematic review.

Some orthodontic devices used in children share similar design principles to appliances used to treat obstructive sleep apnoea in adults. As well as treating malocclusion, orthodontic appliances used in children may therefore also have effects on the upper airway. A review of the literature to assess the effects of orthodontic treatment on the upper airway dimensions in children assessed on CBCT. Following registration of the protocol (PROSPERO CRD42023439056), a systematic electronic search of published studies was performed using several databases (PubMed; Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct) in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were as follows: age under 18 years, orthodontic treatment with any appliance, a control group who received no treatment or a non-active alternative treatment and airway measurement using CBCT. RoB-2 and ROBINS-I tools were used to assess risk of bias and quality of the evidence. In total, 341 studies were identified following the initial search. Title and abstract screening resulted in 45 studies for further full-text analysis. On completion of the screening process, a total of 23 studies met the inclusion criteria. Study interventions included functional appliances (10 studies), rapid maxillary expansion (RME) (9 studies), reverse-pull headgear (1 study) and 4 premolar dental extractions (3 studies). The included studies had moderate to high risk of bias, and the quality of evidence was low. The scientific evidence shows that functional appliances are associated with significant improvements in both upper airway volume and constriction when used in children however, the effects on the nasal cavity are limited. RME was associated with a significant increase in nasal cavity and nasopharyngeal dimensions, but not the upper pharyngeal airway. Neither reverse-pull headgear nor dental extractions were associated with any change in airway dimensions; however, the evidence is limited. Functional appliances may reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children.

Does a Submental Airway Compared to a Tracheostomy Reduce Length of Stay in Craniomaxillofacial Trauma?

Patients with craniomaxillofacial trauma (CMT) are at increased risk of airway compromise and may necessitate airway stabilization via a tracheostomy (TO) or cricothyroidotomy. The submental airway (SMA) is an alternative airway and can avoid complications related to TO. The purpose of this study was to compare the SMA to the TO with respect to hospital length of stay (LOS) and number of days with an advanced airway, termed airway days (ADs). This single-center retrospective cohort study included subjects with isolated CMT who required operative treatment with either a TO or SMA at Harborview Medical Center. Subjects were excluded if they required a TO for reasons other than treating their CMT. The predictor variable was airway type. Primary outcome variables were LOS and ADs measured as number of days between admission and discharge dates, and days between establishment of airway and extubation or decannulation dates, respectively. Covariates included age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiology classification, weight, body mass index, substance use, hospital status, facial injury severity scale scores, and airway placement location. Bivariate analysis using independent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and multiple linear regression analyses were used. P value of <.05 was considered significant. Of the 14 subjects identified, 6 underwent a TO and 8 a SMA. The mean LOS in the TO group was 20.3±15.8days versus 3.9±4.7days in the SMA group (P=.02). Mean AD in the TO group was 13.2±8.4 versus 0.6±0.7 in the SMA group (P=.01). The TO group had a higher number of operations at 2.0±0.6 versus 1.1±0.4 with a SMA (P=.02). After linear regression analysis adjusting for sex, age, weight, and facial injury severity scale, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Compared to, SMA has a 5-fold decrease in LOS and 22-fold decrease in ADs on bivariate analysis. An SMA is a viable airway management option for operative treatment of isolated CMT. Further studies are warranted with a larger sample size.

Advanced airway management in the prehospital setting during traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest following traffic collision in Japan, 2013-2019

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research; Toranomon Hospital. Background The European guideline on management of major bleeding and coagulopathy following trauma (sixth edition) recommend that endotracheal intubation or alternative airway management be performed without delay to facilitate adequate ventilation and oxygenation during trauma resuscitation. However, controversy remains as to whether advanced airway management should be provided for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in the prehospital setting. Purpose This study aimed to examine the association of prehospital advanced airway management with outcomes after traumatic OHCA. Methods This observational study analyzed the Japanese government-led nationwide population-based registry data of OHCA patients. Patients with traumatic OHCA following traffic collision who received advanced life support in the prehospital setting from 2013 to 2019 were included. Propensity score matching was used to examine the association of advanced airway management with outcomes after traumatic OHCA following traffic collision. The primary outcome was one-month survival. Results A total of 5,617 patients (mean [SD] age, 60.1 [21.6] years; 68.6% male) were included. 3,822 (68.0%) received advanced airway management, and 1,795 (32.0%) did not. After adjusting for potential confounders using propensity score matching, advanced airway management was associated with decreased chance of one-month survival (23/1452 [1.6%] vs 43/1452 [3.0%]; RR, 0.53; 95%CI, 0.32-0.88; P=0.0128). Similar association was observed for prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (88/1452 [6.1%] vs 139/1452 [9.6%]; RR, 0.63; 95%CI, 0.49-0.82; P=0.0004). Conclusion Among patients with traumatic OHCA following traffic collision, advanced airway management was associated with decreased chance of one-month survival and prehospital return of spontaneous circulation.

Airway Management in Pan Facial Fracture: An Outcome Analysis of Elective Tracheostomy and Submental Endotracheal Intubation

Background and Aims. Pan facial fractures are complex and often requiring complex airway management. Elective tracheostomy (ET) and submental endotracheal intubation (SEI) are the two major techniques for airway management. The aim of this article is to compare the management outcome between these techniques. Methods. This study was done in a tertiary care hospital from Jan 2019 to Dec 2019. Data were retrieved for all patients from hospital admission-discharge reports, operation room records, follow-up notes, and clinical photograph records which was recorded prospectively after ethical clearance. Total 38 patients were included in the study after the exclusion criteria into two groups: submental endotracheal intubation (SEI) and elective tracheostomy (ET). Demographic data, intraoperative time (IOT), length of hospital stay (LOHS), postoperative pain score at three and seven days, and Vancouver Scar Score (VSS) at 4 and 12 weeks was compared between the two groups. Results. SEI consisted of 23 patients (60%) while ET had 15 (40%) patients. The mean age was 32.77±8.24 years in the SEI and 29.36±7.32 years in the ET. The IOT in SEI was 15.36±1.53 min and 24.60±1.40 min in the ET which was statistically significant (p = 0.00001). The LOHS was 11±3.87 days in SEI and 25.2±3.88 days in ET (p = 0.0001). The mean VSS at 4 and 12 weeks for SEI were moderate and mild respectively and for the ET was moderate and mild respectively. Both were statistically significant with a p = 0.003 and p = 0.006. Conclusion. Submental intubation is a safe airway management technique in pan facial fracture. It provides the surgeon with an excellent operative field for achieving the proper dental occlusion. Both short- and long-term outcomes are better compared to the alternative airway method of elective tracheostomy.

Goldenhar syndrome: An ephialte for the anesthesiologist – What we saw was just the tip of the iceberg

Goldenhar syndrome, also called oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia, is characterized by craniofacial, central nervous system, cardiac, renal, and vertebral anomalies. It occurs due to the faulty unilateral development of vertebral arches. Patients presenting for surgery are usually in the pediatric age group. General anesthesia is the preferred mode of anesthesia considering the type of surgery, age of the patient, and vertebral anomaly in this patient group. The first and foremost consideration while anesthetizing these patients is the anticipated difficult airway. Frequently encountered airway abnormalities in these patients are micrognathia, retrognathia, mandibular dysplasia, craniovertebral anomalies leading to limited neck flexion and cervical spine instability, decreased thyromental distance, fascial asymmetry, cleft lip and palate, high arched palate, dental abnormalities, and temporomandibular joint abnormalities. Difficult airways often come disguised as syndromes, and thorough pre-operative evaluation along with preparation for the worst scenarios is a must. We have a myriad of alternative airway management equipment at our disposal. Adequate knowledge is a must for their best use.

Knowledge of Nurses Regarding Tracheostomy Care in Tertiary Care Hospital Karachi

Tracheostomy is a surgical procedure in which a surgical opening, called a tracheostomy or stoma, is created in the front of the neck into the trachea (windpipe). This opening provides an alternative airway for breathing when the normal route through the nose and mouth is obstructed or compromised. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge of staff nurses regarding tracheostomy care in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Karachi. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi. Fifty participants were recruited through a convenient sampling method. The data were collected from the fifty male and female participants aged 18-50 years old of staff nurses working in the tertiary care hospital. The adopted questionnaire was used for the data collection. Results: The result reveals that 60% were female and 40% were male. Moreover, most nurses 60% had unsatisfactory and 40% had satisfactory knowledge regarding tracheostomy care. Conclusions: This shows a need for additional education and training to enhance nurses' general knowledge and proficiency in delivering the best care for patients with tracheostomies. By filling in this information gap, we can improve patient outcomes and lower the chance of problems from tracheostomy care.

Submental intubation in patients with maxillofacial fractures: case report and literature review

Background: Conventional orotracheal and nasotracheal intubation can be challenging in patients requiring fixation of fractures of the maxillofacial skeleton. The proximity of the surgical site for maxillofacial procedures to the airway predisposes patients with maxillofacial pathologies to anaesthetic complications like dislodged endotracheal (ET) tubes and inadvertent extubation. The need for maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) as part of fracture management precludes the use of orotracheal intubation. In patients with nasal bone fractures, nasotracheal intubation may not be feasible, and the complications associated with tracheostomy make it a last resort for securing access to the airway. The purpose of this article is to highlight the usefulness of submental intubation in the management of patients with maxillofacial fractures.Case presentation: We present our initial experience with the submental route of intubation and illustrate the procedure with a case of a patient with midface fractures successfully managed using submental intubation. A literature review of alternative airway routes to conventional orotracheal and nasotracheal intubation is also included.Discussion: Edentulous spaces, retromolar intubation, submental intubation, submandibular intubation, and tracheostomy have been used as alternatives to conventional endotracheal intubation. Each route has its associated advantages, disadvantages, and limitations.The submental approach is fast, easy to learn, and associated with minimal complications.Conclusion:Submental intubation is a safe option for airway management in patients with maxillofacial fractures.

Indications and Outcomes of Tracheostomy: A Descriptive Study Using the Outcome-Based Evaluation Forms of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Department in a Tertiary Hospital (2016-2020)

Introduction: Tracheostomy is a surgical procedure that creates a neck opening directly into the trachea, typically performed to establish an alternative airway for individuals who experience difficulty breathing as a result of certain medical conditions. Tracheostomy can be temporary or permanent, and it plays a crucial role in the management of both acute and chronic respiratory issues and can significantly improve the quality of life for those who require it. Objective: This study aims to investigate the incidence, common indications and outcomes of tracheostomy in the Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS) department of a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Methodology: This is a retrospective descriptive study including all admissions and in-patient referrals to the clinical division of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery who underwent tracheostomy from January 2016 to December 2020. Data were retrieved by review of medical records and Outcome Based Evaluation (OBE) form of all patients who underwent tracheostomy during the study period. Results: Our study involved 74 patients with a male-to-female ratio of 22:15. The patients' ages ranged from 5 to 89 years. Prolonged intubation was the main reason for tracheostomy, followed by upper airway obstruction due to supraglottic mass for males and vocal cord paralysis for females. Only three patients who had tracheostomy experienced complications and were managed accordingly. Conclusion: Tracheostomy is one of the most valuable and reliable surgical procedures for managing airway obstructions. Proper patient and caregiver education as well as constant follow-up are crucial to prevent complications. Keywords: Airway, Tracheostomy, ORL-HNS, Outcome Based Evaluation form, Head and Neck Surgery

Prevalence and severity of pediatric emergencies in a German helicopter emergency service: implications for training and service configuration

This study primarily aims to determine the frequency of life-threatening conditions among pediatric patients served by the DRF, a German helicopter emergency service (HEMS) provider. It also seeks to explore the necessity of invasive procedures in this population, discussing the implications for HEMS crew training and service configuration based on current literature. We analyzed the mission registry from 31 DRF helicopter bases in Germany, focusing on 7954 children aged 10 or younger over a 5-year period (2014–2018). Out of 7954 identified children (6.2% of all primary missions), 2081 (26.2%) had critical conditions. Endotracheal intubation was needed in 6.5% of cases, while alternative airway management methods were rare (n = 14). Half of the children required intravenous access, and 3.6% needed intraosseous access. Thoracostomy thoracentesis and sonography were only performed in isolated cases. Conclusions: Critically ill or injured children are infrequent in German HEMS operations. Our findings suggest that the likelihood of HEMS teams encountering such cases is remarkably low. Besides endotracheal intubation, life-saving invasive procedures are seldom necessary. Consequently, we conclude that on-the-job training and mission experience alone are insufficient for acquiring and maintaining the competencies needed to care for critically ill or injured children.What is Known:• Pediatric emergencies are relatively rare in the prehospital setting, but their incidence is higher in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) compared to ground-based emergency services.What is New:• On average, HEMS doctors in Germany encounter a critically ill or injured child approximately every 1.5 years in their practice, establish an IV or IO access in infants or toddlers every 2 years, and intubate an infant every 46 years.• This low frequency highlights the insufficiency of on-the-job training alone to develop and maintain pediatric skills among HEMS crews. Specific interdisciplinary training for HEMS crews is needed to ensure effective care for critically unwell pediatric patients.

Current practice pattern among anaesthesiologists for difficult airway management: A nationwide cross-sectional survey.

The practice patterns for airway management vary among anaesthesiologists, depending on various setups and geographical divides. This survey assessed practice patterns in unanticipated difficult intubation and cannot intubate or cannot ventilate (CICV) situations/complete ventilation failure among Indian anaesthesiologists'. A validated questionnaire of 22 items related to practice preferences for airway management among anaesthesiologists was sent to Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists members online through Google Forms and distributed manually to delegates in continuing medical education programme. A total of 535 responses were obtained and analysed. In unanticipated difficult laryngoscopy and intubation, the order of preference for alternative airway devices was video laryngoscope (VL, 60.1%), intubating laryngeal mask airway/laryngeal mask airway (23.5%), fibreoptic bronchoscope (13.5%) and optical stylets (1.2%). Advanced difficult airway devices were unavailable in most nursing homes and government non-teaching hospitals. Seventy per cent of respondents experienced CICV situations at least once, most during head and neck surgeries. In CICV situations, the order of choice for the front-of-neck airway access was cricothyroidotomy (CT) by narrow bore cannula (48.9%), tracheostomy by the surgeon (30%), Seldinger CT (12.5%), open surgical CT (5.4%) and scalpel bougie CT (3.2%). The VL was the most preferred airway rescue device in unanticipated difficult intubation, and intravenous catheter cricothyroidotomy was the most selected technique in CICV situations.

Updates in neonatal resuscitation: routine use of laryngeal masks as an alternative to face masks.

Although positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) has traditionally been performed using a face mask in neonatal resuscitation, face mask ventilation for delivering PPV has a high failure rate due to mask leaks, airway obstruction, or gastric inflation. Furthermore, face mask ventilation is compromised during chest compressions. Endotracheal intubation in neonates requires a high skill level, with a first-attempt success rate of <50%. Laryngeal masks can transfer positive pressure more effectively even during chest compressions, resulting in a lower PPV failure rate compared to that of face masks in neonatal resuscitation. In addition, inserting a laryngeal mask is easier and more accessible than endotracheal intubation, and mortality rates do not differ between the 2 methods. Therefore, in neonatal resuscitation, laryngeal masks are recommended in infants with gestational age >34 weeks and/or with a birth weight >2 kg, in cases of unsuccessful face mask ventilation (as a primary airway device) or endotracheal intubation (as a secondary airway device, alternative airway). In other words, laryngeal masks are recommended when endotracheal intubation fails as well as when PPV cannot be achieved. Although laryngeal masks are commonly used in anesthetized pediatric patients, they are infrequently used in neonatal resuscitation due to limited experience, a preference for endotracheal tubes, or a lack of awareness among the healthcare providers. Thus, healthcare providers must be aware of the usefulness of laryngeal masks in depressed neonates requiring PPV or endotracheal intubation, which can promptly resuscitate these infants and improve their outcomes, resulting in decreased morbidity and mortality rates.

Improving Delivery of Positive Pressure Ventilation During Neonatal Resuscitation: A Quality Improvement Study

Background Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) is one of the most crucial steps of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) algorithm. We observed multiple deviations from NRP algorithm during PPV delivery in our unit for which we planned a quality improvement (QI) initiative. The aim of this study was to improve PPV score (total score 14) from existing 20% (~3) to at least 60% (~8) during neonatal resuscitation in delivery room and maternity OT over a period of 48 weeks. Methods The study was conducted in 3 phases over a period of 48 weeks. The baseline and the sustenance phase were of 12 weeks and the intervention phase consisting of 4 PDSA cycles was of 24 weeks duration. Several change ideas were tested and implemented during these PDSA cycles including training sessions for effective PPV delivery, ensuring adequate number of personnel attending delivery and equipment check, specification of delivery team at the start of a shift, and involvement of obstetrics colleagues for better communication. The objective scoring of PPV (a total composite score of 14 over 7 domains) was taken as the process measure, while the proportion of deliveries with PPV score &gt;60% (~8) and need for alternate airway were the outcome measures. We used statistical process control (SPC) Xbar mean chart and P charts for analyzing the data. Results The median score during the baseline phase was 20% (3/14) which improved to 71% (10/14) during the sustenance phase. The percentage of deliveries having a score of at least 60% (8/14) also improved significantly from the baseline to the sustenance phase; there was, however, no change in the need for alternate airway. Conclusion This QI study successfully improved the PPV delivery practices. Similar studies involving multiple centers and including other steps of NRP algorithm should be undertaken for the overall betterment of neonatal care and outcomes. What Is Known NRP is an evidence-based approach for neonatal resuscitation; however, evidence suggests that the quality and sequence of events during neonatal resuscitation significantly deviate from the standard guidelines. What This Study Adds QI is an excellent tool to improve the adherence to PPV delivery during newborn resuscitation. Along with training and teaching of the care giving staff, the study identified important gaps in PPV delivery which were solved using simple and comprehensive measures.

Update 2022: interdisciplinary statement on airway management with supraglottic airway devices in pediatric emergency medicine-The laryngeal mask is and remains state of the art : Joint statement of the Institute for Emergency Medicine and Medicine Management (INM), the University Clinic Munich, LMU Munich, Germany, the Working Group for Pediatric Critical Care and Emergency Medicine of the German Interdisciplinary Society for

Airway management with supraglottic airway devices (SGA) in life-threatening emergencies in children is increasingly being used. Different specifications of laryngeal masks (LM) and the laryngeal tube (LT) are commonly used devices for this purpose. We present aliterature review and interdisciplinary consensus statement of different societies on the use of SGA in pediatric emergency medicine. Literature review in the PubMed database and classification of studies according to the criteria of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine. Levels and consensus finding within the group of authors. The evidence for successful applications of the various types of LM is significantly higher than for LT application. Reported smaller series of successful applications of LT are currently limited to selected research groups and centers. Especially for children below 10 kg body weight there currently exists insufficient evidence for the successful application of the LT and therefore its routine use cannot be recommended. SGAs used for emergencies should have agastric drainage possibility. Considering the scientific data and the large clinical experience with the LM in medical routine and emergency situations in children currently only the LM can be recommended for alternative (i.e., non-intubation) emergency airway management in children. If alternative airway management is part of alocal emergency strategy, the LM should be provided in all pediatric sizes (1, 1½, 2, 2½, 3) for out of hospital use and in hospital emergency use and all users should regularly be trained in its application.

Smell-related quality of life changes after total laryngectomy: a multi-centre study

PurposeA total laryngectomy creates an alternate airway for gas exchange that bypasses the upper aerodigestive tract. The subsequent reduction in nasal airflow, and therefore, reduction in deposition of particles to the olfactory neuroepithelium leads to hyposmia or anosmia. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life impairment conferred by anosmia following laryngectomy and identify any specific patient-related risk factors that are associated with poorer outcomes.MethodsConsecutive patients with a total laryngectomy presenting for review at three tertiary head and neck services (in Australia, the United Kingdom and India) over a 12-month period were recruited. Patient demographic and clinical data were collected, and each subject completed the validated assessment of self-reported olfactory functioning and olfaction-related quality of life questionnaire (ASOF). Dichotomous comparisons were performed using the student's unpaired t-test for continuous variables (SRP), a chi-squared test for categorical variables, and a Kendall's tau-b for ordinal variables (SOC) to assess for a correlation with poorer questionnaire scores.ResultsA total of 66 laryngectomees (13.4% female; age 65.7 ± 8.6 years) were included in the study. The mean SRP score of the cohort was found to be 15.6 ± 7.4, while the mean ORQ score was noted to be 16.4 ± 8.1. No other specific risk factors associated with poorer quality of life were identified.ConclusionA significant quality of life detriment from hyposmia is conferred following laryngectomy. Further research to assess treatment options and the patient population that would best benefit from these interventions is required.

GLOTTIC VIEW COMPARISON BETWEEN MCGRATH MAC VIDEO AND MACINTOSH LARYNGOSCOPES

The purpose of the study was to compare the efcacy of the McGrath MAC videolaryngoscope and the Macintosh laryngoscope in tracheal intubation procedures. The study was conducted on 70 patients who were undergoing elective surgery and classied as ASA I or II. The patients were intubated by an anaesthesia trainee under the supervision of a senior anaesthetist. The primary outcome of the study was the improvement in the glottic view, which was assessed using the Cormack-Lehane (C-L) grading system. The results of the study indicated that the McGrath MAC videolaryngoscope provided a signicantly better glottic view compared to the Macintosh laryngoscope. 67.1% of the cases were found to have a C-L grade I view when assessed with the McGrath MAC, compared to 42.9% with the Macintosh. Furthermore, 17% of the cases showed an improvement in the glottic view to C-L grade I when assessed with the McGrath MAC. In addition to the improvement in glottic view, the study found that the McGrath MAC videolaryngoscope was easier to use and improved the self-condence of the anaesthesia trainee. This is of particular signicance in difcult airway situations where a quick and accurate intubation is of utmost importance. In conclusion, the study suggests that the McGrath MAC videolaryngoscope can be used as a safe and effective alternative airway device, providing a superior glottic view and ease of intubation in normal airway patients. The use of this device can also enhance the self-condence of anaesthetists in training, making tracheal intubation more secure and effortless in challenging circumstances.

Con: We Should Not Routinely Intubate All Patients in Cardiac Arrest

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) and the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) advocate a stepwise approach to airway management in cardiac arrest and if an advanced airway is required, proficient practitioners should preferentially employ tracheal intubation.1 Whilst there are numerous benefits to placement of a tracheal tube (TT), there are foreseeable situations in which tracheal intubation is not necessary and arguably there may be some benefit in alternative airway management, at least during initial resuscitation. This author proposes that even for the advanced responder, as anesthesiologists and intensive care physicians, the decision to site a TT should not be routine and should instead be reserved for select cases.

Emergency airway management with the gum elastic bougie outside of the operating room: a narrative review

The ongoing coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the need for healthcare professionals to perform emergency endotracheal intubation (ETI) in patients with COVID-19-related respiratory failure outside of the operating room. Difficult airways and severe airway-related adverse events occur much more frequently in such settings due to limited time and resources as well as the patient’s reduced physiological reserve. The gum elastic bougie (GEB) intubation tube is an inexpensive, simple, and readily transportable aid to intubation, but its effectiveness in emergency airway management has not been comprehensively evaluated in recent years. Here, we performed a literature review and have updated the available evidence on the utility of GEB in emergency airway management. After a systematic MEDLINE search, we identified 36 relevant reports that compared GEB with alternative airway management approaches in a variety of real-world and simulated settings. In most studies, GEB increased the first-pass ETI success rate and decreased the force applied on the tongue and incisors during laryngoscopy. GEB also increased the speed, safety, and reliability of emergency cricothyrotomy. Conflicting results were obtained in studies examining GEB use for ETI during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and other special circumstances such as selective lung ventilation, the presence of vomitus, and the use of personal protective equipment. These results suggest that GEB use could be expanded beyond difficult airways and rescue after failed ETI attempts, but further studies will be necessary to determine the utility of GEB under special conditions. Because fatal airway-related adverse events can in part be attributed to limited accessibility of proper airway management equipment, devices such as GEB may increase successful outcomes, especially under the overwhelmingly challenging conditions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

An Alternative Airway Intervention to Preserve the Surgical Field in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Background/need. Office-based sedation has become increasingly commonplace in dental offices in recent years, allowing for practitioners to provide broader scope of care for their patients. Maintaining high standards of safety is of utmost importance when sedation is utilized in the office-based setting, especially for patients deemed at a higher-risk for intraoperative airway obstruction. This demographic includes but is not limited to individuals with a medical history significant for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and morbid obesity. Presently, a wide variety of airway devices exist for use in the event of airway obstruction. However, in the context of oral and maxillofacial surgery, placement of these devices can encroach upon the surgical field, extending the perioperative period and putting the patient at greater long-term risk for maintaining adequate oxygenation. Methodology. The authors describe a preliminary technique trialed in our offices which utilizes a size 5.0 endotracheal tube (5OET) as an adjunct supraglottic airway to help mitigate the issue of oxygen saturation maintenance, as well as unimpeded access to the oral cavity. Implementation of the device requires identifying appropriate candidates during preoperative screening and placing the device through the nare and securing it above the glottis. Device Description. The 'tube kit' is comprised of a standard size straight 5.0 cuffed oral ETT, a 5-mL syringe for inflation of the cuff post insertion, lubricant, flex extension tubing, end tidal sampling line for capnography, tape for securement of the 5OET, and an anesthesia breathing circuit. Optional equipment pieces include an elbow connecter and a foam piece for comfort. Results/Current Status. Preliminary results have demonstrated oxygen saturations maintained above 98% when the 5OET is placed preoperatively. Continued use of the trial device will inform the development of a tube by our clinicians, and its efficacy will be studied in our offices. The next steps will be to start developing a pilot cuff that will be submitted for patent approval after its use in IRB-approved clinical studies.

The Laryngeal Mask: Empowering Nurses to Rescue Newborns.

Since 2005, the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) has recommended the laryngeal mask (LM) as an alternative airway when positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) is unsuccessful and intubation is unsuccessful or unfeasible. There is a paucity of literature regarding LM use in high-resource countries; however, anecdotal information and recent studies suggest low implementation. This article increases awareness of LM safety and efficacy, provides guidance for determining nursing scope of practice, and includes suggestions for developing a training program. Methods include considering NRP customers' questions, recent systematic reviews of the literature, how NRP recommendations are developed, how to determine nursing scope of practice, and how to develop a training program. Recent studies support the NRP recommendation to use the LM as a rescue airway when PPV fails and intubation is not feasible. The LM provides more effective PPV than face-mask ventilation. The LM may be effective as the initial PPV device for infants of at least 34 weeks' gestation. To use the LM, nurses may require training, which may include a simulation-based curriculum. Nurses can increase their awareness of the advantages of LM use, determine their scope of practice, and develop a training program. When face-mask ventilation is unsuccessful and intubation is unfeasible, LM insertion will likely increase the newborn's heart rate and avoid intubation. Future research should determine training requirements, efficacy of the LM as the initial PPV device in high-resource settings, and LM use during complex resuscitation and in preterm newborns.