Medical Devices; Anesthesiology Devices; Classification of the External Negative Pressure Airway Aid. Final order

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is classifying the external negative pressure airway aid into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the external negative pressure airway aid's classification. We are taking this action because we have determined that classifying the device into class II (special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial innovative devices, in part by reducing regulatory burdens.

Air-Q® versus LMA Fastrach™ for fiberoptic-guided intubation: A randomized cross-over manikin trial

INTRODUCTION

Airway management is still a major cause of anesthesia-associated morbidity and mortality. Supraglottic devices are recommended in difficult airway management guidelines. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the Air-Q^® and the LMA Fastrach™ for fiberoptic guided tracheal intubation.

METHODS

Thirty-three anesthesia trainees participated in this randomized crossover study. Time to insert the dedicated airways (insertion of the airway into the manikin and delivery of two breaths), time to tracheal intubation (fiberoptic-guided tracheal intubation), time to remove the dedicated airway (removal of the Air-Q^®/LMA Fastrach™ over the tracheal tube) and the opinion of the ease of use of the anesthesia trainees were measured.

RESULTS

There was 100% success rate for tracheal intubation with both devices on the first attempt. Time to insert the dedicated device and deliver two breaths was 10±3s for the Air-Q^® and 11±3s for the LMA Fastrach™, P=.07. Time taken to intubate the trachea was shorter with the air-Q^®, 38±15 s, than with the LMA Fastrach™, 47±19s, P=.017. Overall procedure time was significantly shorter with the Air-Q^® as compared with the LMA Fastrach™, with a mean time of 74±21s and 87±28s respectively, P=.002. Air-Q^® removal was considered easier than LMA Fastrach™ removal, P=.005. There were no tube dislodgements during the removal of the dedicated airways.

CONCLUSIONS

Inexperienced anesthesia residents can perform fiberoptic-guided intubation through Air-Q^® and LMA Fastrach™ in a clinically acceptable time with high success.

Endotracheal intubation under video laryngoscopic guidance during upper gastrointestinal endoscopic surgery in the left lateral position: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopic surgeries are generally placed in the left lateral position and require endotracheal intubation to maintain airway patency. We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled study to evaluate the feasibility of intubation under video laryngoscopic guidance in the left lateral position during upper gastrointestinal endoscopic surgery.

METHODS

We compared the data of patients (n = 120) who underwent intubation under video laryngoscopic guidance in the supine or left lateral position. Patients in Group S (n = 59) were initially placed in the supine position and then shifted to the left lateral position after airway establishment. Patients in Group L (n = 61) were placed in the left decubitus position during both induction and intubation. Laryngoscopic view, intubation time, success rate, hemodynamic changes, adverse effects, and complications of intubation were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

The 2 groups showed no difference in terms of time required for intubation (Group L, 23.95 ± 4.43 seconds and Group S, 23.44 ± 4.78 seconds; P = .545) and number of intubation attempts. Further, the overall rate of intubation success was 100% in both groups. However, Group S exhibited significant hemodynamic changes during shift of decubitus (P < .001) and severe sore throat (P = .030). The incidences of other adverse effects such as productive cough, dryness of mouth, hoarseness, oral mucosal injury, dental injury, and hypoxia in the 2 groups were comparable.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that intubation in the lateral position under video laryngoscopic guidance is safe and feasible performed in the left lateral position and prevents the hemodynamic change and sore throat resulting from change in decubitus.

Use of i-gel for laser ablation of a bronchial lesion

The use of laser for airway lesions requires airway management. Usual options include special laser-resistant endotracheal tubes. The use of supraglottic devices have been described in the literature. Laryngeal mask airway carries the risk of cuff damage during the use of laser. i-gel is made of thermoplastic material and does not require air inflation and thus potentially reduce the risk of cuff rupture. i-gel use in laser surgeries has not been described in the literature. We present successful airway management in laser surgery for bronchial tumour using i-gel.

A randomized clinical study on postoperative pain comparing between the supraglottic airway device and endotracheal tubing in transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP)

BACKGROUND

Transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair is the most widely used laparoscopic technique for the treatment of inguinal hernia in Japan. Many studies have shown that in comparison with open hernia repair, laparoscopic repair results in less pain and a shorter convalescence. However, postoperative pain remains a concern. One possible cause of postoperative pain in the early postoperative phase is strain or cough on removal of the endotracheal tube. Use of a supraglottic airway (SGA) device helps to avoid such complaints. We evaluated postoperative pain after TAPP repair using the SGA for general anesthesia.

METHODS

We evaluated the postoperative pain in 146 patients with inguinal hernia repaired by TAPP in our hospital between May 2013 and May 2016. A total of 144 adult patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II who underwent needlescopic TAPP surgery were randomly allocated to one of two groups of 72 patients: group A (SGA), in which the patient's airway was secured with an appropriately sized I-gel, and group B (endotracheal tube), in which the airway was secured under laryngoscopy.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the groups regarding patient background, postoperative hospital stay, and operation time, and TAPP was performed safely in all cases. In the analysis of postoperative pain, the mean Numerical Rating Scale score of peak pain in group A was significantly less than that of group B (2.10 ± 2.05 vs 2.90 ± 2.65; p = 0.043). In group A, the percentage of patients who had an NRS score of 0 was 51.4% 30 min after surgery, 62.5% after 6 h and 68.1% at POD1, and compared to group B, the NRS scores were significantly higher at POD1 (p = 0.003), and the level of postoperative pain in group A tended to decrease earlier than that in group B.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study are the first to show that an SGA device can reduce postoperative pain after laparoscopic surgery.

Extraglottic Airways in Tactical Combat Casualty Care: TCCC Guidelines Change 17-01 28 August 2017

Extraglottic airway (EGA) devices have been used by both physicians and prehospital providers for several decades. The original TCCC Guidelines published in 1996 included a recommendation to use the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) as an option to assist in securing the airway in Tactical Evacuation (TACEVAC) phase of care. Since then, a variety of EGAs have been used in both combat casualty care and civilian trauma care. In 2012, the Committee on TCCC (CoTCCC) and the Defense Health Board (DHB) reaffirmed support for the use of supraglottic airway (SGA) devices in the TACEVAC phase of TCCC, but did not recommend a specific SGA based on the evidence available at that point in time. This paper will use the more inclusive term "extraglottic airway" instead of the term "supragottic airway" used in the DHB memo. Current evidence suggests that the i-gel® (Intersurgical Complete Respiratory Systems; http://www.intersurgical.com/info/igel) EGA performs as well or better than the other EGAs available and has other advantages in ease of training, size and weight, cost, safety, and simplicity of use. The gel-filled cuff in the i-gel both eliminates the need for cuff pressure monitoring during flight and reduces the risk of pressure-induced neuropraxia to cranial nerves in the oropharynx and hypopharynx as a complication of EGA use. The i-gel thus makes the medic's tasks simpler and frees him or her from the requirement to carry a cuff manometer as part of the medical kit. This latest change to the TCCC Guidelines as described below does the following things: (1) adds extraglottic airways (EGAs) as an option for airway management in Tactical Field Care; (2) recommends the i-gel as the preferred EGA in TCCC because its gel-filled cuff makes it simpler to use than EGAs with air-filled cuffs and also eliminates the need for monitoring of cuff pressure; (3) notes that should an EGA with an air-filled cuff be used, the pressure in the cuff must be monitored, especially during and after changes in altitude during casualty transport; (4) emphasizes COL Bob Mabry's often-made point that extraglottic airways will not be tolerated by a casualty unless he or she is deeply unconscious and notes that an NPA is a better option if there is doubt about whether or not the casualty will tolerate an EGA; (5) adds the use of suction as an adjunct to airway management when available and appropriate (i.e., when needed to remove blood and vomitus); (6) clarifies the wording regarding cervical spine stabilization to emphasize that it is not needed for casualties who have sustained only penetrating trauma (without blunt force trauma); (7) reinforces that surgical cricothyroidotomies should not be performed simply because a casualty is unconscious; (8) provides a reminder that, for casualties with facial trauma or facial burns with suspected inhalation injury, neither NPAs nor EGAs may be adequate for airway management, and a surgical cricothyroidotomy may be required; (9) adds that pulse oximetry monitoring is a useful adjunct to assess airway patency and that capnography should also be used in the TACEVAC phase of care; and (10) reinforces that a casualty's airway status may change over time and that he or she should be frequently reassessed.

Prehospital Cricothyrotomy Kits Used in Combat

BACKGROUND

Surgical cricothyrotomy remains the only definitive airway management modality for the tactical setting recommended by Tactical Combat Casualty Care guidelines. Some units have fielded commercial cricothyrotomy kits to assist Combat Medics with surgical cricothyrotomy. To our knowledge, no previous publications report data on the use of these kits in combat settings. This series reports the the use of two kits in four patients in the prehospital combat setting.

METHODS

Using the Department of Defense Trauma Registry and the Prehospital Trauma Registry, we identified four cases of patients who underwent prehospital cricothyrotomy with the use of commercial kits. In the first two cases, a Medic successfully used a North American Rescue CricKit (NARCK) to obtain a surgical airway in a Servicemember with multiple amputations from an improvised explosive device explosion. In case 3, the Medic unsuccessfully used an H&H Medical kit to attempt placement of a surgical airway in a Servicemember shot in the head by small arms fire. A second attempt to place a surgical airway using a NARCK was successful. In case 4, a Soldier sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. A Medic described fluid in the airway precluding bag-valve-mask ventilation; the Medic attempted to place a surgical airway with the H&H kit without success.

CONCLUSION

Four cases of prehospital surgical airway cannulation on the battlefield demonstrated three successful uses of prehospital cricothyrotomy kits. Further research should focus on determining which kits may be most useful in the combat setting.

Airway Management During Upper GI Endoscopic Procedures: State of the Art Review

With the growing popularity of propofol mediated deep sedation for upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic procedures, challenges are being felt and appreciated. Research suggests that management of the airway is anything but routine in this setting. Although many studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated the safety of propofol sedation administered by registered nurses under the supervision of gastroenterologists (likely related to the lighter degrees of sedation than those provided by anesthesia providers and is under medicolegal controversy in the United States), there is no agreement on the optimum airway management for procedures such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Failure to rescue an airway at an appropriate time has led to disastrous consequences. Inability to evaluate and appreciate the risk factors for aspiration can ruin the day for both the patient and the health care providers. This review apprises the reader of various aspects of airway management relevant to the practice of sedation during upper GI endoscopy. New devices and modification of existing devices are discussed in detail. Recognizing the fact that appropriate monitoring is important for timely recognition and management of potential airway disasters, these issues are explored thoroughly.

Comparison of the i-gel and other supraglottic airways in adult manikin studies: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The i-gel has a gel-like cuff composed of thermoplastic elastomer that does not require cuff inflation. As the elimination of cuff inflation may shorten insertion time, the i-gel might be a useful tool in emergency situations requiring prompt airway care. This systematic review and meta-analysis of previous adult manikin studies for inexperienced personnel was performed to compare the i-gel with other supraglottic airways.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before June 2015, including with a crossover design, using the following search terms: "i-gel," "igel," "simulation," "manikin," "manikins," "mannequin," and "mannequins." The primary outcomes of this review were device insertion time and the first-attempt success rate of insertion.

RESULTS

A total of 14 RCTs were included. At the initial assessment without difficult circumstances, the i-gel had a significantly shorter insertion time than the LMA Classic, LMA Fastrach, LMA Proseal, LMA Unique, laryngeal tube, Combitube, and EasyTube. However, a faster insertion time of the i-gel was not observed in comparisons with the LMA Supreme, aura-i, and air-Q. In addition, the i-gel did not show the better results for the insertion success rate when compared to other devices.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this meta-analysis indicated that inexperienced volunteers placed the i-gel more rapidly than other supraglottic airways with the exception of the LMA Supreme, aura-i, and air-Q in manikin studies. However, the quicker insertion time is clinically not relevant. The unapparent advantage regarding the insertion success rate and the inherent limitations of the simulation setting indicated that additional evidence is necessary to confirm these advantages of the i-gel in an emergency setting.

Comparison of the Macintosh, GlideScope®, Airtraq®, and King Vision™ laryngoscopes in routine airway management

BACKGROUND

We hypothesized that the use of the channeled King Vision™ and Airtraq® would shorten the time for tracheal intubation compared with the Macintosh or GlideScope® laryngoscopes in patients with normal airways.

METHODS

Eighty-six patients were randomly assigned to intubate the trachea using either the Macintosh (N.=22), Glidescope® (N.=21), Airtraq® (N.=21), or King Vision™ (N.=22) laryngoscope. The primary outcome was the time to tracheal intubation. Secondary outcomes included the laryngoscopic view, numbers of laryngoscopy attempts, first-pass success rate, optimization maneuvers, ease of intubation, and postoperative sore throat.

RESULTS

Compared with the Macintosh and GlideScope®, the use of the channeled videolaryngoscopes had significantly longer times to tracheal intubation (mean times: Airtraq® 44 s [95% CI: 39.6 to 46.7]; King Vision™ 34.5 s [95% CI: 33.1 to 40.2]; Macintosh 20 s [95% CI: 19.7 to 26.7]; GlideScope® 27.9 s [95% CI: 25.1 to 30.7], P<0.002) and caused less mucosal trauma (P=0.006). The King Vision™ is slightly faster than the Airtraq® (P=0.035). Compared with the Macintosh and the Airtraq®, the GlideScope® was easier to use (P<0.001). The 4 groups had comparable glottis views, number of laryngoscopy and optimising manoeuvres and first attempt success rate. The Airtraq® and King Vision™ had a lower incidence of sore throat than with the Macintosh or GlideScope® (P=0.001). No patient had failed intubation.

CONCLUSIONS

The King Vision™ and Airtraq® require longer intubation times, as primary outcome, and cause less sore throat than the Macintosh and GlideScope® when used by anesthesiologists with limited experience in patients with normal airways. Our conclusion is difficult to extrapolate to the expert anesthesiologists who are using videolaryngoscopes on a regular basis.

Use of Clarus Video System® in expected difficult airway in a patient with Rett syndrome

Difficult airway management remains one of the key points in our specialty, as the difficulty or impossibility of tracheal intubation is the main cause of morbidity/mortality attributable to anaesthesia. Rett syndrome is a severe and incapacitating neurological disease. We present the case of a 21-year-old girl affected by this syndrome, with significant psychomotor retardation and difficult airway predictors, who was scheduled to have a laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia. We decided on one attempt of Clarus Video System^® fiberoptic intubation as primary intervention. Intubation was successfully performed with the help of this optical stylet. The use of optical stylets is gaining prominence and finding a place in the latest algorithms of difficult airway management. We highlight the growing role these devices play in managing difficult airway, therefore we review the current situation of videolaryngoscopes in the management of the predicted difficult airway.

Guideline for Monitoring and Management of Pediatric Patients Before, During, and After Sedation for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures: Update 2016

The safe sedation of children for procedures requires a systematic approach that includes the following: no administration of sedating medication without the safety net of medical/dental supervision, careful presedation evaluation for underlying medical or surgical conditions that would place the child at increased risk from sedating medications, appropriate fasting for elective procedures and a balance between the depth of sedation and risk for those who are unable to fast because of the urgent nature of the procedure, a focused airway examination for large (kissing) tonsils or anatomic airway abnormalities that might increase thepotential for airway obstruction, a clear understanding of the medication's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects and drug interactions, appropriate training and skills in airway management to allow rescue of the patient, age- and size-appropriate equipment for airway management and venous access, appropriate medications and reversal agents, sufficient numbers of staff to both carry out the procedure and monitor the patient, appropriate physiologic monitoring during and after the procedure, a properly equipped and staffed recovery area, recovery to the presedation level of consciousness before discharge from medical/dental supervision, and appropriate discharge instructions. This report was developed through a collaborative effort of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to offer pediatric providers updated information and guidance in delivering safe sedation to children.

A randomized prospective controlled trial comparing the laryngeal tube suction disposable and the supreme laryngeal mask airway: the influence of head and neck position on oropharyngeal seal pressure

BACKGROUND

The Laryngeal Tube Suction Disposable (LTS-D) and the Supreme Laryngeal Mask Airway (SLMA) are second generation supraglottic airway devices (SADs) with an added channel to allow gastric drainage. We studied the efficacy of these devices when using pressure controlled mechanical ventilation during general anesthesia for short and medium duration surgical procedures and compared the oropharyngeal seal pressure in different head and-neck positions.

METHODS

Eighty patients in each group had either LTS-D or SLMA for airway management. The patients were recruited in two different institutions. Primary outcome variables were the oropharyngeal seal pressures in neutral, flexion, extension, right and left head-neck position. Secondary outcome variables were time to achieve an effective airway, ease of insertion, number of attempts, maneuvers necessary during insertion, ventilatory parameters, success of gastric tube insertion and incidence of complications.

RESULTS

The oropharyngeal seal pressure achieved with the LTS-D was higher than the SLMA in, (extension (p=0.0150) and right position (p=0.0268 at 60 cm H2O intracuff pressures and nearly significant in neutral position (p = 0.0571). The oropharyngeal seal pressure was significantly higher with the LTS-D during neck extension as compared to SLMA (p= 0.015). Similar oropharyngeal seal pressures were detected in all other positions with each device. The secondary outcomes were comparable between both groups. Patients ventilated with LTS-D had higher incidence of sore throat (p = 0.527). No major complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Better oropharyngeal seal pressure was achieved with the LTS-D in head-neck right and extension positions , although it did not appear to have significance in alteration of management using pressure control mechanical ventilation in neutral position. The fiberoptic view was better with the SLMA. The post-operative sore throat incidence was higher in the LTS-D.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02856672 , Unique Protocol ID:BnaiZionMC-16-LG-001, Registered: August 2016.

Incremental change in cross sectional area in small endotracheal tubes: A call for more size options

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the relatively large incremental percent change (IPC) in cross sectional area (CSA) in currently available small endotracheal tubes (ETTs), and to make recommendation for lesser incremental change in CSA in these smaller ETTs, in order to minimize iatrogenic airway injury.

METHODS

The CSAs of a commercially available line of ETTs were calculated, and the IPC of the CSA between consecutive size ETTs was calculated and graphed. The average IPC in CSA with large ETTs was applied to calculate identical IPC in the CSA for a theoretical, smaller ETT series, and the dimensions of a new theoretical series of proposed small ETTs were defined.

RESULTS

The IPC of CSA in the larger (5.0-8.0 mm inner diameter (ID)) ETTs was 17.07%, and the IPC of CSA in the smaller ETTs (2.0-4.0 mm ID) is remarkably larger (38.08%). Applying the relatively smaller IPC of CSA from larger ETTs to a theoretical sequence of small ETTs, starting with the 2.5 mm ID ETT, suggests that intermediate sizes of small ETTs (ID 2.745 mm, 3.254 mm, and 3.859 mm) should exist.

CONCLUSION

We recommend manufacturers produce additional small ETT size options at the intuitive intermediate sizes of 2.75 mm, 3.25 mm, and 3.75 mm ID in order to improve airway management for infants and small children.

VivaSight: a new era in the evolution of tracheal tubes

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the available data describing the use of single and double lumen VivaSight tubes.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

SETTING

The use of VivaSight tubes for elective surgeries including advantages, disadvantages, and possible complications.

PATIENTS

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials from databases including Medline, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.

INTERVENTIONS

Comparison of VivaSight single and double-lumen tubes with conventional tubes during normal airway and expected difficult airway management. The effectiveness of the devices was also evaluated during 1-lung ventilation for patients undergoing thoracic surgery.

MEASUREMENTS

Intubation time, success rate, the requirement for fiberoptic bronchoscope, and the rate of complications.

MAIN RESULTS

Following a VivaSight double-lumen tube, a flexible bronchoscope is still needed. It is difficult to agree that VivaSight tube reduces the need or use of a bronchoscope. According to the current literature, it is unclear if there is any advantage of the VivaSight compared with using flexible bronchoscopy to direct a blocker into the correct lung. The cost may be another issue. Studies comparing VivaSight tubes with standard double lumen tubes reported faster tracheal intubation rate and higher success rate at first attempt for VivaSight. However, VivaSight tubes may cause soft tissue trauma such as bleeding, hematoma, edema, and erythema. Sore throat and dysphonia are other reported complications. Due to the outer thickness, smaller-sized double-lumen tube may be necessary. It has been reported to have the disadvantages, such as melting due to the heat of light source before insertion and sudden shutdown without warning.

CONCLUSIONS

Problems such as overheating and melting on the distal end of the tube due to the light source and potential breakdowns of the cable should be solved by the manufacturer. This will probably require a redesign and necessitate further studies.

Use of a homemade introducer guide (bougie) for intubation in emergency situation in patients who present with difficult airway: a case series

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The incidence of difficult airway reaches 10% of emergency intubations. Although few studies address the use of handmade introducer guides in emergency and intensive care environment, there are descriptions of handmade guides available on the Internet. We describe a case series on the use of a handmade introducer guide (bougie) for emergency intubation in patients with difficult airway.

CASE REPORT

The handmade introducer guide was used in five consecutive patients with difficult airways, and clinical instability and in the absence of another immediate method to obtain an airway. This technique provided successful intubation and there were no complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the handmade introducer guide can be a useful option for the management of difficult airways.

VISUALIZATION OF AIRWAY

The author provides an overview of the history of optical instruments for airway management in anesthesiology. It systematically demonstrates the development of laryngoscope down to the present time when video laryngoscope has been introduced in clinical practice.

ALTERNATIVE DEVICES IN AIRWAY VISUALIZATION

The Macintosh laryngoscope has been the most widely used device for intubation since its invention by Foregger in the 1940s. Recently, video and optic laryngoscopy assisted tracheal intubation has been used widely in patients with difficult airways. Their routine use, however, is not widely practiced. This review will summarize some of the newly available devices to assist tracheal intubation, with their advantages and disadvantages when compared with conventional laryngoscopes. It also presents the reasons to support their use in both elective and emergency airway management.

A randomised controlled trial of cognitive aids for emergency airway equipment preparation in a Paediatric Emergency Department

BACKGROUND

Safety of emergency intubation may be improved by standardising equipment preparation; the efficacy of cognitive aids is unknown.

METHODS

This randomised controlled trial compared no cognitive aid (control) with the use of a checklist or picture template for emergency airway equipment preparation in the Emergency Department of The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne.

RESULTS

Sixty-three participants were recruited, 21 randomised to each group. Equal numbers of nursing, junior medical, and senior medical staff were included in each group. Compared to controls, the checklist or template group had significantly lower equipment omission rates (median 30% IQR 20-40% control, median 10% IQR 5-10 % checklist, median 10% IQR 5-20% template; p < 0.05). The combined omission rate and sizing error rate was lower using a checklist or template (median 35 % IQR 30-45 % control, median 15% IQR 10-20% checklist, median 15% IQR 10-30% template; p < 0.05). The template group had less variation in equipment location compared to checklist or controls. There was no significant difference in preparation time in controls (mean 3 min 14 s sd 56 s) compared to checklist (mean 3 min 46 s sd 1 min 15 s) or template (mean 3 min 6 s sd 49 s; p = 0.06).

DISCUSSION

Template use reduces variation in airway equipment location during preparation foremergency intubation, with an equivalent reduction in equipment omission rate to the use of a checklist. The use of a template for equipment preparation and a checklist for team, patient, and monitoring preparation may provide the best combination of both cognitive aids.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a cognitive aid for emergency airway equipment preparation reduces errors of omission. Template utilisation reduces variation in equipment location.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian and New Zealand Trials Registry (ACTRN12615000541505).

Randomized controlled trial comparing the McGrath MAC video laryngoscope with the King Vision video laryngoscope in adult patients

BACKGROUND

This study compares the performance of the McGrath MAC and King Vision laryngoscope systems for endotracheal intubation in adult patients with predicted normal airways when used by experienced laryngoscopists with limited prior video laryngoscopy experience.

METHODS

The study is a randomized controlled trial in a general adult operating suite at an academic medical center in the South Eastern United States. Sixty-six adult surgical patients with predicted easy intubation were enrolled and randomized to undergo endotracheal intubation with either the McGrath MAC video laryngoscope or the King Vision video laryngoscope using the channeled blade attachment. The primary outcomes were success on first attempt and time of intubation. The laryngoscopic view, lowest observed oxygen saturation, number of attempts, assist maneuvers, and documented airway trauma events were also recorded.

RESULTS

The median time for successful intubation was shorter in the McGrath MAC group compared to the King Vision group (17 vs. 38 seconds; P<0.001). There was a higher first attempt success rate in the McGrath MAC group compared to the King Vision group (100% vs. 89%, P<0.01). Also, more patients in the King Vision group had an oxygen desaturation below 90% compared to the McGrath MAC group (3 vs. 0; P<0.034). There were no significant differences between groups in laryngoscopic view, number of attempts, need for assist maneuvers, or airway trauma.

CONCLUSION

The McGrath MAC video laryngoscope allowed for significantly shorter times to endotracheal intubation, higher success rates on first attempt, and fewer desaturations compared to the King Vision video laryngoscope when used by experienced laryngoscopists with limited prior video laryngoscopy experience.

Comparative study of three different supraglottic airway devices in simulated difficult airway situations

BACKGROUND

Supraglottic airway devices (SAD) provide an effective way for managing difficult airways. Numerous SADs have been developed in recent years. We compared three SADs utilizing simulated airways. The major aim of this study was to provide evidence for the efficacy of SADs in the management of simulated difficult airway situations.

METHODS

The study utilized an airway simulation manikin (Laerdal SimMan® 3G) to assess feasibility and time to final placement of three different airway devices (the classic laryngeal mask airway [LMA], the Laryngeal tube [LT], and the EasyTube® [EzT]). Thirty anesthesiologists inserted each of the SADs under standard physiologic airway conditions (STD) as well as pathological airway conditions, including tongue edema (TE) and trismus combined with limited mobility of the cervical spine (TCS), mimicking a patient with cramps.

RESULTS

In STD and TE, all participants were able to successfully place the LMA, LT, and EzT correctly. In TCS, one participant failed to place the LMA correctly, whereas six participants failed to place the LT correctly (P=0.031). Under STD and TE conditions, we found a significantly longer time to final placement with the EzT (P=0.001). Under TCS conditions, there was no significant difference between the tested SADs. Under STD conditions, the participants rated the LMA best (P<0.001). Under TE and TCS condition, the EzT was significantly higher rated (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The EzT showed benefits in two difficult airway situations (TE and TCS) in a prospective manikin study amongst anesthesiologists.

[Management of difficult airway with inhalation induction in a patient with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and neck injury]

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a childhood epileptic encephalopathy, and is characterized by frequent and difficult to treat seizures associated with mental retardation. The case is presented of a 21 year-old male with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, with bilateral cervical facet joint dislocation fracture at C6-C7 and spinal canal compression as a result of a fall during a seizure. In this case the management of the difficult airway expected in an awake and uncooperative patient, with cervical spinal cord injury is described. An airway management strategy was proposed, that allowed a rapid and safe airway control with the best possible tolerance and maintaining the neck immobilised, so as not to increase neurological injury. Within this strategy, plan A was defined as inhalation induction with sevoflurane to maintain spontaneous breathing and tracheal intubation with Airtraq®. We believe that the Airtraq® video laryngoscope with inhalational induction with sevoflurane is a valid and effective alternative in the management of expected difficult airway.