1. Randomised controlled trial in cadavers investigating methods for intubation via a supraglottic airway device: Comparison of flexible airway scope guided versus a retrograde technique.
- Author
-
Groombridge, Christopher J, Maini, Amit, Johnny, Cecil, McCreary, David, Kim, Yesul, Smit, De Villiers, and Fitzgerald, Mark
- Subjects
- *
AIRWAY (Anatomy) , *RANDOMIZED controlled trials , *STATISTICAL sampling , *TRACHEA intubation - Abstract
Objective: A supraglottic airway device (SAD) may be utilised for rescue re‐oxygenation following a failed attempt at endotracheal intubation with direct or video laryngoscopy. However, the choice of subsequent method to secure a definitive airway is not clearly established. The aim of the present study was to compare two techniques for securing a definitive airway via the in‐situ SAD. Methods: A randomised controlled trial was undertaken. The population studied was emergency physicians (EPs) attending a cadaveric airway course. The intervention was intubation through a SAD using a retrograde intubation technique (RIT). The comparison was intubation through a SAD guided by a flexible airway scope (FAS). The primary outcome was time to intubation. The trial was registered with ANZCTR.org.au (ACTRN12621000995875). Results: Four EPs completed intubations using both methods on four cadavers for a total of 32 experiments. The mean time to intubation was 18.2 s (standard deviation 8.8) in the FAS group compared with 52.9 s (standard deviation 11.7) in the RIT group; a difference of 34.7 s (95% confidence interval 27.1–42.3, P < 0.001). All intubations were completed within 2 min and there were no equipment failures or evidence of airway trauma. Conclusion: Successful tracheal intubation of cadavers by EPs is achievable, without iatrogenic airway trauma, via a SAD using either a FAS or RIT, but was 35 s quicker with the FAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF