A comparison of videolaryngoscopy using standard blades or non-standard blades in children in the Paediatric Difficult Intubation Registry

Airway management in pediatrics: improving safety

Airway management in children poses unique challenges due to the different anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology across the pediatric age span. The recently published joint European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care-British Journal of Anaesthesia (ESAIC-BJA) neonatal and infant airway management guidelines provide recommendations and suggestions to support clinicians in deciding the best strategy. These guidelines represent a framework with the most recent and up-to-date evidence, from the initial assessment to the management of normal and difficult airways up to the extubation phase. However, such guidelines have intrinsic limitations due to the lack of supporting evidence in various fields of airway management. Pediatric institutions should adopt guidelines after careful internal review according to the local circumstances, including caseload, equipment and expertise. The current narrative review focused on providing references and practical tips on pediatric airway management, which is still not completely elucidated. Moreover, the authors put particular emphasis on the influence of human factors on the overall success of tracheal intubation, the incidence of complications, and the outcomes for patients.

Prospective development and validation of a universal classification for paediatric videolaryngoscopic tracheal intubation: the PeDiAC score

BACKGROUND

The VIDIAC score, a prospectively developed universal classification for videolaryngoscopy, has shown excellent diagnostic performance in adults. However, there is no reliable classification system for videolaryngoscopic tracheal intubation in children. We aimed to develop and validate a multivariable logistic regression model and easy-to-use score to classify difficult videolaryngoscopic tracheal intubation in children and to compare it with the Cormack and Lehane classification. A secondary aim was to externally validate the VIDIAC score in children.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study within a structured universal videolaryngoscopy implementation programme. We used C-MAC™ videolaryngoscopes in all children undergoing tracheal intubation for elective surgical procedures. We validated the VIDIAC score externally and assessed its performance. We then identified eligible co-variables for inclusion in the PeDiAC score, developed a multivariable logistic regression model and compared its performance against the Cormack and Lehane classification.

RESULTS

We studied 809 children undergoing 904 episodes of tracheal intubation. The VIDIAC score outperformed the Cormack and Lehane classification when classifying the difficulty of videolaryngoscopic tracheal intubation, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.80 (95%CI 0.73-0.87) vs. 0.69 (95%CI 0.62-0.76), respectively, p = 0.018. Eight eligible tracheal intubation-related factors, that were selected by 100-times repeated 10-fold cross-validated least absolute shrinkage selector operator regression, were used to develop the PeDiAC model. The PeDiAC model and score showed excellent diagnostic performance and model calibration. The PeDiAC score achieved significantly better diagnostic performance than the Cormack and Lehane classification, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.97 (95%CI 0.96-0.99) vs. 0.69 (95%CI 0.62-0.76), respectively, p < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

We developed and validated a specifically tailored classification for paediatric videolaryngoscopic tracheal intubation with excellent diagnostic performance and calibration that outperformed the Cormack and Lehane classification.

Universal paediatric videolaryngoscopy and glottic view grading: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Although videolaryngoscopy has been proposed as a default technique for tracheal intubation in children, published evidence on universal videolaryngoscopy implementation programmes is scarce. We aimed to determine if universal, first-choice videolaryngoscopy reduces the incidence of restricted glottic views and to determine the diagnostic performance of the Cormack and Lehane classification to discriminate between easy and difficult videolaryngoscopic tracheal intubations in children.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study within a structured universal videolaryngoscopy implementation programme. We used C-MAC™ (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) videolaryngoscopes in all anaesthetised children undergoing elective tracheal intubation for surgical procedures. The direct and videolaryngoscopic glottic views were classified using a six-stage grading system.

RESULTS

There were 904 tracheal intubations in 809 children over a 16-month period. First attempt and overall success occurred in 607 (67%) and 903 (> 99%) tracheal intubations, respectively. Difficult videolaryngoscopic tracheal intubation occurred in 47 (5%) and airway-related adverse events in 42 (5%) tracheal intubations. Direct glottic view during laryngoscopy was restricted in 117 (13%) and the videolaryngoscopic view in 32 (4%) tracheal intubations (p < 0.001). Videolaryngoscopy improved the glottic view in 57/69 (83%) tracheal intubations where the vocal cords were only just visible, and in 44/48 (92%) where the vocal cords were not visible by direct view. The Cormack and Lehane classification discriminated poorly between easy and difficult videolaryngoscopic tracheal intubations with a mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.68 (95%CI 0.59-0.78) for the videolaryngoscopic view compared with 0.80 (95%CI 0.73-0.87) for the direct glottic view during laryngoscopy (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Universal, first-choice videolaryngoscopy reduced substantially the incidence of restricted glottic views. The Cormack and Lehane classification was not a useful tool for grading videolaryngoscopic tracheal intubation in children.

A prospective randomized comparative trial of pediatric C-MAC D-blade video laryngoscope with McCoy direct laryngoscope for intubation in children posted for elective surgical procedures under general anesthesia

BACKGROUND

Pediatric airway management requires careful clinical evaluation and experienced execution due to anatomical, physiological, and developmental considerations. Video laryngoscopy in pediatric airways is a developing area of research, with recent data suggesting that video laryngoscopes are better than standard Macintosh blades. Specifically, there is a paucity of literature on the advantages of the C-MAC D-blade compared to the McCoy direct laryngoscope.

METHODS

After Ethics Committee approval, 70 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 and 2 children aged 4-12 years scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated to intubation using a C-MAC video laryngoscope size 2 D-blade (Group 1) and a McCoy laryngoscope size 2 blade (Group 2). The Intubation Difficulty Scale (IDS) for ease of intubation was the primary outcome, while Cormack-Lehane grades, duration of laryngoscopy and intubation, hemodynamic responses, and incidence of any airway complications were secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Both groups were comparable in terms of patient characteristics. The median (IQR) Intubation Difficulty Scale (IDS) score was better but was statistically nonsignificant with C-MAC (0 [0-0] vs. 0 [0-2], p = .055). The glottic views were superior (CL grade I in 32/35 vs. 23/35, p = .002), and the time to best glottic view (6 s [5-7] vs. 8.0 s [6-10], p = .006) was lesser in the C-MAC D-blade group while the total duration of intubation was comparable (20 s [16-22] vs. 18 s [15-22], p = .374). All the patients could be successfully intubated on the first attempt. None of the patients had any complications.

CONCLUSION

The C-MAC video laryngoscope size 2 D-blade provided faster and better glottic visualization but similar intubation difficulty compared to McCoy size 2 laryngoscope in children. The shorter time to achieve glottic view demonstrated with the C-MAC failed to translate into a shorter total duration of intubation when compared to the McCoy laryngoscope attributable to a pronounced curvature of the D-blade.

[Airway management in neonates and infants : Recommendations according to the ESAIC/BJA guidelines]

Securing an airway enables the oxygenation and ventilation of the lungs and is a potentially life-saving medical procedure. Adverse and critical events are common during airway management, particularly in neonates and infants. The multifactorial reasons for this include patient-dependent, user-dependent and also external factors. The recently published joint ESAIC/BJA international guidelines on airway management in neonates and infants are summarized with a focus on the clinical application. The original publication of the guidelines focussed on naming formal recommendations based on systematically documented evidence, whereas this summary focusses particularly on the practicability of their implementation.

Comparison of the HugeMed video laryngoscope with the Macintosh direct laryngoscope for nasotracheal tracheal intubation in children undergoing dental treatment: a randomized controlled clinical study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the HugeMed® videolaryngoscope with a direct Macintosh laryngoscope for nasotracheal intubation.

METHODS

Eighty-eight children aged 4-10 years were randomly assigned to either the HugeMed® videolaryngoscope (HVL) or the Macintosh direct laryngoscope (MDL) group. Intubation difficulty, glottic view grade, time-to-intubation, number of tracheal intubation attempts, use of external laryngeal manipulation and Magill forceps, recovery time, pediatric-anesthesia-delirium-scale (PAEDS) scores, pain due to tracheal intubation, and laryngeal bleeding were evaluated.

RESULTS

Easy tracheal intubation incidence was higher in the HVL group than that in the MDL group (p = 0.001). Glottic view was better in the HVL group as compared to the MDL group (p = 0.027). There was no difference between the groups in terms of time-to-tracheal intubation, number of tracheal intubation attempts, Magill forceps usage, pain, and bleeding due to tracheal intubation. The need for external laryngeal manipulation (p = 0.004) and PAEDS scores (p = 0.006) were higher in the MDL group than those in the HVL group.

CONCLUSION

HugeMed® videolaryngoscope may provide easier tracheal intubation, create a better glottic view, and significantly reduce the need for additional manipulation compared to the Macintosh direct laryngoscope, for nasotracheal intubation.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.clinicaltrial.gov identifier is NCT05121597.

Airway Management of Critically Ill Pediatric Patients with Suspected or Proven Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection: An Intensivist Point of View

Advanced airway management of critically ill children is crucial for novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) management in the pediatric intensive care unit, whether due to shock and hemodynamic collapse or acute respiratory failure. In this article, intubation is challenging due to the particularities of children's physiology and the underlying disease's pathophysiology, especially when an airborne pathogen, like COVID-19, is present. Unfortunately, published recommendations and guidelines for COVID-19 in pediatrics do not address in-depth endotracheal intubation in acutely ill children. We discussed the caveats and pitfalls of intubation in critically ill children.

Airway management in the paediatric difficult intubation registry: a propensity score matched analysis of outcomes over time

Background

The Paediatric Difficult Intubation Collaborative identified multiple attempts and persistence with direct laryngoscopy as risk factors for complications in children with difficult tracheal intubations and subsequently engaged in initiatives to reduce repeated attempts and persistence with direct laryngoscopy in children. We hypothesised these efforts would lead to fewer attempts, fewer direct laryngoscopy attempts and decrease complications.

Methods

Paediatric patients less than 18 years of age with difficult direct laryngoscopy were enrolled in the Paediatric Difficult Intubation Registry. We define patients with difficult direct laryngoscopy as those in whom (1) an attending or consultant obtained a Cormack Lehane Grade 3 or 4 view on direct laryngoscopy, (2) limited mouth opening makes direct laryngoscopy impossible, (3) direct laryngoscopy failed in the preceding 6 months, and (4) direct laryngoscopy was deferred due to perceived risk of harm or poor chance of success. We used a 5:1 propensity score match to compare an early cohort from the initial Paediatric Difficult Intubation Registry analysis (August 6, 2012-January 31, 2015, 785 patients, 13 centres) and a current cohort from the Registry (March 4, 2017-March 31, 2023, 3925 patients, 43 centres). The primary outcome was first attempt success rate between cohorts. Success was defined as confirmed endotracheal intubation and assessed by the treating clinician. Secondary outcomes were eventual success rate, number of attempts at intubation, number of attempts with direct laryngoscopy, the incidence of persistence with direct laryngoscopy, use of supplemental oxygen, all complications, and severe complications.

Findings

First-attempt success rate was higher in the current cohort (42% vs 32%, OR 1.5 95% CI 1.3-1.8, p < 0.001). In the current cohort, there were fewer attempts (2.2 current vs 2.7 early, regression coefficient -0.5 95% CI -0.6 to -0.4, p < 0.001), fewer attempts with direct laryngoscopy (0.6 current vs 1.0 early, regression coefficient -0.4 95% CI -0.4 to 0.3, p < 0.001), and reduced persistence with direct laryngoscopy beyond two attempts (7.3% current vs 14.1% early, OR 0.5 95% CI 0.4-0.6, p < 0.001). Overall complication rates were similar between cohorts (19% current vs 20% early). Severe complications decreased to 1.8% in the current cohort from 3.2% in the early cohort (OR 0.55 95% CI 0.35-0.87, p = 0.011). Cardiac arrests decreased to 0.8% in the current cohort from 1.8% in the early cohort. We identified persistence with direct laryngoscopy as a potentially modifiable factor associated with severe complications.

Interpretation

In the current cohort, children with difficult tracheal intubations underwent fewer intubation attempts, fewer attempts with direct laryngoscopy, and had a nearly 50% reduction in severe complications. As persistence with direct laryngoscopy continues to be associated with severe complications, efforts to limit direct laryngoscopy and promote rapid transition to advanced techniques may enhance patient safety.

Funding

None.

Airway management in neonates and infants: European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care and British Journal of Anaesthesia joint guidelines

Airway management is required during general anaesthesia and is essential for life-threatening conditions such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Evidence from recent trials indicates a high incidence of critical events during airway management, especially in neonates or infants. It is important to define the optimal techniques and strategies for airway management in these groups. In this joint European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) and British Journal of Anaesthesia (BJA) guideline on airway management in neonates and infants, we present aggregated and evidence-based recommendations to assist clinicians in providing safe and effective medical care. We identified seven main areas of interest for airway management: i) preoperative assessment and preparation; ii) medications; iii) techniques and algorithms; iv) identification and treatment of difficult airways; v) confirmation of tracheal intubation; vi) tracheal extubation, and vii) human factors. Based on these areas, Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes (PICO) questions were derived that guided a structured literature search. GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology was used to formulate the recommendations based on those studies included with consideration of their methodological quality (strong '1' or weak '2' recommendation with high 'A', medium 'B' or low 'C' quality of evidence). In summary, we recommend: 1. Use medical history and physical examination to predict difficult airway management (1C). 2. Ensure adequate level of sedation or general anaesthesia during airway management (1B). 3. Administer neuromuscular blocker before tracheal intubation when spontaneous breathing is not necessary (1C). 4. Use a videolaryngoscope with an age-adapted standard blade as first choice for tracheal intubation (1B). 5. Apply apnoeic oxygenation during tracheal intubation in neonates (1B). 6. Consider a supraglottic airway for rescue oxygenation and ventilation when tracheal intubation fails (1B). 7. Limit the number of tracheal intubation attempts (1C). 8. Use a stylet to reinforce and preshape tracheal tubes when hyperangulated videolaryngoscope blades are used and when the larynx is anatomically anterior (1C). 9. Verify intubation is successful with clinical assessment and end-tidal CO2 waveform (1C). 10. Apply high-flow nasal oxygenation, continuous positive airway pressure or nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation for postextubation respiratory support, when appropriate (1B).

Airway management in neonates and infants: European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care and British Journal of Anaesthesia joint guidelines

Airway management is required during general anaesthesia and is essential for life-threatening conditions such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Evidence from recent trials indicates a high incidence of critical events during airway management, especially in neonates or infants. It is important to define the optimal techniques and strategies for airway management in these groups. In this joint European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) and British Journal of Anaesthesia (BJA) guideline on airway management in neonates and infants, we present aggregated and evidence-based recommendations to assist clinicians in providing safe and effective medical care. We identified seven main areas of interest for airway management: i) preoperative assessment and preparation; ii) medications; iii) techniques and algorithms; iv) identification and treatment of difficult airways; v) confirmation of tracheal intubation; vi) tracheal extubation, and vii) human factors. Based on these areas, Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes (PICO) questions were derived that guided a structured literature search. GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology was used to formulate the recommendations based on those studies included with consideration of their methodological quality (strong '1' or weak '2' recommendation with high 'A', medium 'B' or low 'C' quality of evidence). In summary, we recommend: 1. Use medical history and physical examination to predict difficult airway management (1С). 2. Ensure adequate level of sedation or general anaesthesia during airway management (1B). 3. Administer neuromuscular blocker before tracheal intubation when spontaneous breathing is not necessary (1С). 4. Use a videolaryngoscope with an age-adapted standard blade as first choice for tracheal intubation (1B). 5. Apply apnoeic oxygenation during tracheal intubation in neonates (1B). 6. Consider a supraglottic airway for rescue oxygenation and ventilation when tracheal intubation fails (1B). 7. Limit the number of tracheal intubation attempts (1C). 8. Use a stylet to reinforce and preshape tracheal tubes when hyperangulated videolaryngoscope blades are used and when the larynx is anatomically anterior (1C). 9. Verify intubation is successful with clinical assessment and end-tidal CO 2 waveform (1C). 10. Apply high-flow nasal oxygenation, continuous positive airway pressure or nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation for postextubation respiratory support, when appropriate (1B).

Fibreoptic intubation: a commitment to an indispensable technique

Recent evidence has shown that fibreoptic intubation is still an indispensable technique for safe management of predicted difficult airways, despite the implementation of new technologies such as videolaryngoscopy. It is therefore our obligation as anaesthesia societies and as practicing anaesthetists to offer this technique to our patients in clearly designated situations.

Out-of-Hospital Pediatric Video Laryngoscopy With an Adult Device: A Case Series Presented With a Contemporary Group Intubated With Direct Laryngoscopy

OBJECTIVES

After introducing an adult video laryngoscope (VL) in our physician-paramedic prehospital and retrieval medical service, our quality assurance process identified this blade being used during pediatric intubations. We present a case series of pediatric intubations using this oversized adult VL alongside a contemporaneous group of direct laryngoscopy (DL) intubations.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of intubated patients 15 years or younger in our electronic quality assurance registry from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. Data collected were demographic details, intubation equipment, drug doses, the number of intubation attempts, and complications. Results are presented according to those intubated with C-MAC4 VL (Karl Storz) alongside age-appropriate DL sizes.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine pediatric patients were intubated, 67 (67%) by CMAC4 and 32 (33%) by DL. Video laryngoscopy had a first-attempt success rate of 96% and DL 91%. A Cormach and Lehane view 1 or 2 was found in 66 VL (99%) and 29 DL patients (91%). Desaturation was reported in two VL and 1 DL patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Adult VL became the most common method of intubation in patients older than 1 year during the study period. An adult C-MAC4 VL could be considered for clinicians who prefer VL when a pediatric VL is unavailable or as a second-line device if a pediatric VL is not present when intubating children older than 1 year.

Efficacy of McGRATH®MAC videolaryngoscope blade 1 for tracheal intubation in small children: a randomized controlled clinical study

BACKGROUND

Videolaryngoscopes may not be as effective in small children as they are in older children and in adults. The size 1 blade is commercially available for the McGRATH®MAC videolaryngoscope (Covidien, Medtronic, Tokyo, Japan), but its efficacy in comparison with a Macintosh laryngoscope blade 1 is not known.

AIM

The main aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of McGrath®MAC blade 1 in comparison with a conventional Macintosh laryngoscope blade 1, in children aged less than 24 months.

METHODS

Thirty-eight children aged less than 24 months were randomly allocated to one of two groups, and tracheal intubation was attempted using either a direct laryngoscope with a Macintosh blade 1 or a videolaryngoscope with a McGRATH®MAC blade 1. In another 12 children aged 2-4 years, the same comparisons were made with blade 2. The primary outcome measure was time to tracheal intubation using a size 1 blade.

RESULTS

Tracheal intubation took significantly longer with a McGRATH®MAC blade 1 (median (interquartile range): 38.0 (31.8-43.5) s) than with the Macintosh blade 1(27.4 (25.9-29.2) s) (p < 0.0001; median difference (95% CI for the median difference): 10.6 (6.4-14.0) s), mainly due to difficulty in advancing a tube into the trachea. No significant difference was observed for the size 2.

CONCLUSIONS

In small children without predicted difficult airways, time to intubate the trachea was significantly longer for a McGRATH®MAC blade 1 than a Macintosh blade 1.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

jRCT1032220366.

Preventing difficult facemask ventilation in children: all is well that starts well

Difficult facemask ventilation at induction of general anaesthesia can trigger hypoxaemia and inadequate ventilation if not immediately identified and adequately treated. For this reason, identification of predisposing conditions before induction of anaesthesia and causes of poor facemask ventilation are critical to avoid the subsequent complications. In a recently published secondary analysis of the Paediatric Difficult Intubation (PeDI) registry, the incidence and risk factors for difficult facemask ventilation in children with difficult tracheal intubation was described, as highlighted in the editorial.

[Airway Management in Paediatric Anaesthesia]

Due to their low reserves, hypoxia and cardiac arrest occur rapidly in children. The continuous securing of the airway as well as maintenance of oxygenation and ventilation are of prior importance in paediatric anaesthesia. For this purpose, bag-mask ventilation and the opening of the upper airway must be trained and mastered in particular. As the most important supraglottic device, the laryngeal mask has been evaluated for patients of all ages.

A view on pediatric airway management: a cross sectional survey study

BACKGROUND

This survey aimed to investigate routine practices and approaches of clinicians on pediatric airway in anesthesia and intensive care medicine.

METHODS

A 20-question multiple-choice questionnaire with the possibility to provide open text answers was developed and sent. The survey was sent to the members of European Airway Management Society via a web-based platform. Responses were analyzed thematically. Only the answers from one representative of the pediatric service of each hospital was included into the analysis.

RESULTS

Among the members, 143 physicians responded the survey, being anesthesiologists (83.2%), intensivists (11.9%), emergency medicine physicians (2.1%), and (2.8%) pain medicine practitioners. A straight blade was preferred by 115 participants (80.4%) in newborns, whereas in infants 86 (60.1%) indicated a curved blade and 55 (38.5%) a straight blade. Uncuffed tracheal tube were preferred by 115 participants (80.4%) in newborns, whereas 24 (16.8%) used cuffed tubes. Approximately 2/3 of the participants (89, 62.2%) reported not to use routinely a cuff manometer in their clinical practice, whereas 54 participants (37.8%) use it routinely in pediatric patients. Direct laryngoscopy for routine pediatric tracheal intubation was reported by 127 participants (88.8%), while 16 (11.2%) reported using videolaryngoscopes routinely. Interestingly, 39 (27.3%) had never performed neither videolaryngoscopy nor flexible bronchoscopy in children. These results were significantly less in hospitals with a dedicated pediatric anesthesiologist.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey on airway management in pediatric anesthesia revealed that the use of cuffed tubes and the routine monitoring of cuff pressure are rare. In addition, the rate of videolaryngoscopy or flexible optical intubation was low for expected difficult intubation. Our survey highlights the need for properly trained pediatric anesthesiologists working in-line with updated scientific evidence.

State-of-the-art management of the acutely unwell child

Children make up around one-fifth of all emergency department visits in the USA and UK, with an increasing trend of emergency admissions requiring intensive care. Anaesthetists play a vital role in the management of paediatric emergencies contributing to stabilisation, emergency anaesthesia, transfers and non-technical skills that optimise team performance. From neonates to adolescents, paediatric patients have diverse physiology and present with a range of congenital and acquired pathologies that often differ from the adult population. With increasing centralisation of paediatric services, staff outside these centres have less exposure to caring for children, yet are often the first responders in managing these high stakes situations. Staying abreast of the latest evidence for managing complex low frequency emergencies is a challenge. This review focuses on recent evidence and pertinent clinical updates within the field. The challenges of maintaining skills and training are explored as well as novel advancements in care.

Videolaryngoscopes versus direct laryngoscopes in children: Ranking systematic review with network meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Videolaryngoscopes improve tracheal intubation in adult patients, but we currently do not know whether they are similarly beneficial for children. We designed this ranking systematic review to compare individual video and direct laryngoscopes for efficacy and safety of orotracheal intubation in children.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and five other databases on January 27, 2021. We included randomized clinical trials with patients aged ≤18 years, comparing different laryngoscopes for the outcomes: failed first intubation attempt; failed intubation within two attempts; failed intubation; glottic view; time for intubation; complications. In addition, we assessed the quality of evidence according to GRADE recommendations.

RESULTS

We included 46 studies in the meta-analyses. Videolaryngoscopy reduced the risk of failed first intubation attempt (RR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.31-0.61; p = .001) and failed intubation within two attempts (RR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.33-0.33; p < .001) in children aged <1 year. Videolaryngoscopy also reduced the risk of major complications in both children aged <1 year (RR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.12-0.96; p = .046) and children aged 0-18 years (RR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.25-0.65; p = .002). We did not find significant difference between videolaryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy for time to intubation in children aged <1 year (MD = -0.95 s; 95% CI: -5.45 to 3.57 s; p = .681), and children aged 0-18 years (MD = 1.65 s; 95% CI: -1.00 to 4.30 s; p = .222). Different videolaryngoscopes were associated with different performance metrics within this meta-analysis. The overall quality of the evidence ranged from low to very low.

CONCLUSION

Videolaryngoscopes reduce the risk of failed first intubation attempts and major complications in children compared to direct laryngoscopes. However, not all videolaryngoscopes have the same performance metrics, and more data is needed to clarify which device may be better in different clinical scenarios. Additionally, care must be taken while interpreting our results and rankings due to the available evidence's low or very low quality.

"Sedation versus General Anesthesia For Tracheal Intubation In Children With Difficult Airways: A Cohort Study from the Pediatric Difficult Intubation Registry."

BACKGROUND

Sedated and awake tracheal intubation approaches are considered safest in adults with difficult airways, but little is known about the outcomes of sedated intubations in children. The primary aim of our study is to compare the first attempt success rate of tracheal intubation during sedated tracheal intubation vs. tracheal intubation under general anesthesia (GA). We hypothesized that sedated intubation would be associated with a lower first attempt success rate and more complications than general anesthesia.

METHODS

We used data from an international observational registry, Pediatric Difficult Intubation Registry, which prospectively collects data about tracheal intubation in children with difficult airways. We compared the use of sedation versus general anesthesia for tracheal intubation. Our primary outcome was the first-attempt success of tracheal intubation. Secondary outcomes included the number of intubation attempts and non-severe and severe complications. We used propensity score matching with a matching ratio up to 1:15 to reduce bias due to measured confounders.

RESULTS

Between 2017 and 2020, 34 hospitals submitted 1839 anticipated difficult airway cases that met inclusion criteria for the study. Of these, 75 patients received sedation and 1764 patients received GA. Propensity score matching resulted in 58 patients in the sedation group and 522 patients in the GA group. The rate of first-attempt success of tracheal intubation was 28/58 (48.3%) in the sedation group and 250/522 (47.9%) in the GA-group (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.60 - 1.87; p=0.846); The median number of intubations attempts was 2 [IQR 1, 3] in the sedation group and 2 [IQR 1, 2] in the GA group. The GA group had 6/522 (1.1%) intubation failures versus 0/58 in the sedation group. However, Sixteen of fifty-eight (27.6%) sedation cases had to be converted to GA for successful tracheal intubation. Complications were similar between the groups, and the rate of severe complications was low.

CONCLUSION

Sedation and GA had a similar rate of first-attempt success of tracheal intubation in children with difficult airways; however, 27.6% of the sedation cases needed to be converted to GA to complete tracheal intubation. Complications overall were similar between the groups, and the rate of severe complications was low.

Review Airway management in pediatric patients with burn contractures of the face and neck

Burn injury is a common cause of trauma, non-fatal burn injuries are a leading cause of morbidity, and significant numbers of the victims are children. Scar contracture after burn injury can cause severe functional limitation, pain, aesthetic and psychological problems and patients may present for contracture release and reconstructive surgery. The aim of this systematic review was to identify research relevant to airway management of children with burn contracture of the face and neck with special emphasis on awake airway management and airway anesthesia, and synthesize results that can aid practice. Literature search was performed on Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar with selected keywords. The search was restricted to human subjects of ≤18 year age, there was no language or time restriction and the final search was concluded in July 2021. The review included 41 articles involving airway management of 56 patients in 61 anesthesia episodes. Patients aged between 8 months to 18 years. Mask ventilation and direct laryngoscopy, video laryngoscopy, optical stylet, supraglottic airway, flexible scope intubation and tracheostomy, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were the devices and methods used for securing the airway and oxygenation while the patients were awake or after anesthesia induction. Detailed planning and patient preparation are the fundamentals of airway management of pediatric patients with burn contracture of the face and neck, awake airway management with airway anesthesia can be safely used in selected patients, this review provides information for good clinical practice and might serve to improve the care of such children.

Video screen visualization patterns when using a video laryngoscope for tracheal intubation: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Published studies of video laryngoscopes are often limited by the lack of a clear definition of video laryngoscopy (VL). We performed a systematic review to determine how often published studies of VL report on video screen visualization.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus for interventional and observational studies in which a video laryngoscope equipped with a standard geometry blade was used for tracheal intubation. We excluded simulation based studies. Our primary outcome was data on video laryngoscope screen visualization. Secondary outcomes were explicit methodology for screen visualization.

RESULTS

We screened 4838 unique studies and included 207 (120 interventional and 87 observational). Only 21 studies (10% of 207) included any data on video screen visualization by the proceduralist, 19 in a yes/no fashion only (ie, screened viewed or not) and 2 with detail beyond whether the screen was viewed or not. In 11 more studies, visualization patterns could be inferred based on screen availability and in 16 more studies, the methods section stated how screen visualization was expected to be performed without reporting data collection on how the proceduralist interacted with the video screen. Risk of bias was high in the majority of included studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Published studies of VL, including many clinical trials, rarely include data on video screen visualization. Given the nuances of using a video laryngoscope, this is a critical deficiency, which largely prevents us from knowing the treatment effect of using a video laryngoscope in clinical practice. Future studies of VL must address this deficiency.

Video Laryngoscope Screen Visualization and Tracheal Intubation Performance: A Video-Based Study in a Pediatric Emergency Department

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Our study objectives were to describe patterns of video laryngoscope screen visualization during tracheal intubation in a pediatric emergency department (ED) and to determine their associations with procedural performance.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, observational, video-based study of pediatric ED patients undergoing tracheal intubation with a standard geometry video laryngoscope (Storz C-MAC; Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany). Our primary exposure was video screen visualization patterns, measured by the percentage of each attempt spent viewing the screen and the number of times the proceduralist changed their gaze between the patient and screen (gaze switches). Our primary outcome was first-pass success. We compared measures of screen visualization between successful and unsuccessful first attempts using a generalized linear mixed model.

RESULTS

From December 2019 to October 2021, we collected data on 153 patients. The first-pass success rate was 79.1%. Proceduralists viewed the video screen during 80.4% of attempts; the median percentage of each attempt spent viewing the video screen was 42.1% (interquartile range 8.7% to 65.5%). The median number of gaze switches per attempt was 3 (interquartile range 1 to 6, maximum 22). The percentage of each attempt spent viewing the video screen was not associated with success (adjusted odds ratio 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.93 to 1.08); additional gaze switches were associated with a lower likelihood of success (adjusted odds ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.71 to 0.90).

CONCLUSION

We found wide variation in how proceduralists viewed the video laryngoscope screen during intubations in a pediatric ED. We illustrate the application of 2 objective screen visualization measures to quantify and understand how clinicians actually use video laryngoscopy.

Error traps in pediatric difficult airway management

Difficult airway management in children is associated with significant morbidity. This narrative review on error traps in airway management aims to highlight the common pitfalls and proposes solutions to optimize best practices for pediatric difficult airway management. We have categorized common errors of pediatric difficult airway management into three main error traps: preparation, performance, and proficiency, and present potential strategies to improve patient safety and successful tracheal intubation in infants and children with difficult airways.

Videolaryngoscopy vs. Direct Laryngoscopy for Elective Airway Management in Paediatric Anaesthesia: A prospective randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The indirect visualisation of the glottic area with a videolaryngoscope could improve intubation conditions which may possibly lead to a higher success rate of the first intubation attempt.

OBJECTIVE

Comparison of videolaryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy for elective airway management in paediatric patients.

DESIGN

Prospective randomised controlled trial.

SETTINGS

Operating room.

PARTICIPANTS

535 paediatric patients undergoing elective anaesthesia with tracheal intubation. 501 patients were included in the final analysis.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomly allocated to the videolaryngoscopy group (n  = 265) and to the direct laryngoscopy group (n  = 269) for the primary airway management.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The first attempt intubation success rate was assessed as the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were defined as: the time to successful intubation (time to the first EtCO2 wave), the overall intubation success rate, the number of intubation attempts, the incidence of complications, and the impact of the length of the operator's clinical practice.

RESULTS

The study was terminated after the planned interim analysis for futility. There were no significant demographic differences between the two groups. The first attempt intubation success rate was lower in the videolaryngoscopy group; 86.8% (n  = 211) vs. 92.6% (n  = 239), P = 0.046. The mean time to the first EtCO2 wave was longer in the videolaryngoscopy group at 39.0 s ± 36.7 compared to the direct laryngoscopy group, 23.6 s ± 24.7 (P < 0.001). There was no difference in the overall intubation success rate, in the incidence of complications nor significant difference based on the length of the clinical practice of the operator.

CONCLUSIONS

The first attempt intubation success rate was lower in the videolaryngoscopy group in comparison to the direct laryngoscopy group. The time needed for successful intubation with videolaryngoscopy was longer compared with direct laryngoscopy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03747250.

Lessons from COVID-19: A reflection on the strengths and weakness of early consensus recommendations for pediatric difficult airway management during a respiratory viral pandemic using a modified Delphi method

BACKGROUND

The authors recognized a gap in existing guidelines and convened a modified Delphi process to address novel issues in pediatric difficult airway management raised by the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

The Pediatric Difficult Intubation Collaborative, a working group of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, assembled an international panel to reach consensus recommendations on pediatric difficult airway management during the COVID-19 pandemic using a modified Delphi method. We reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of this process and ways care has changed as knowledge and experience have grown over the course of the pandemic.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Delphi panel recommends against moving away from the operating room solely for the purpose of having a negative pressure environment. The Delphi panel recommends supplying supplemental oxygen and using videolaryngoscopy during anticipated difficult airway management. Direct laryngoscopy is not recommended. If the patient meets extubation criteria, extubate in the OR, awake, at the end of the procedure.

REFLECTION

These recommendations remain valuable guidance in caring for children with anticipated difficult airways and infectious respiratory pathology when reviewed in light of our growing knowledge and experience with COVID-19. The panel initially recommended minimizing involvement of additional people and trainees and minimizing techniques associated with aerosolization of viral particles. The demonstrated effectiveness of PPE and vaccination at reducing the risk of exposure and infection to clinicians managing the airway makes these recommendations less relevant for COVID-19. They would likely be important initial steps in the face of novel respiratory viral pathogens.

CONCLUSIONS

The consensus process cannot and should not replace evidence-based guidelines; however, it is encouraging to see that the panel's recommendations have held up well as scientific knowledge and clinical experience have grown.

Comparative efficacy of C-MAC® Miller videolaryngoscope versus McGrath® MAC size "1" videolaryngoscope in neonates and infants undergoing surgical procedures under general anesthesia: A prospective randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Various anatomical and physiological factors make intubation in infants challenging. C-MAC videolaryngoscope shows better results as compared to the conventional direct laryngoscopy for intubation in infants. McGrath MAC size-1 with a disposable Macintosh type blade has recently been introduced for use in infants and has not been formally evaluated in this population.

AIMS

This study aims to evaluate the intubation characteristics of C-MAC Miller and McGrath MAC in neonates and infants with the primary objective to compare the time with the two devices.

METHODS

After informed consent from the parents, 140 neonates and infants scheduled for surgical procedures were randomized to undergo intubation with either C-MAC Miller or McGrath MAC after standard general anesthesia. The two devices were compared in terms of total intubation time, Percent of Glottic Opening score, Cormack Lehane grades, time to glottis view, intubation difficulty score, overall success rate, first attempt success rate, and complications.

RESULTS

The median glottic view time (6 s [4-9] vs. 6 s [4-9]; p = .40) and intubation time (27 s [25.5-28] vs. 27 s [24.5-29.5]; p = .87) were similar. The mean difference (95% CI) in time to tracheal intubation and time to glottic view was 0.49 s [-3.1 to 2.1] and -1.7 s [-3.8 to 0.47], respectively. However, the Percent of Glottic Opening score, Cormack Lehane grades, and subjective intubation difficulty were significantly better with C-MAC. The first attempt success rates, overall success rates (100% vs. 97.5%), and intubation difficulty scores were comparable. There were two failed intubations with McGrath which were successfully intubated with C-MAC.

CONCLUSION

The C-MAC Miller blade showed similar intubation timings, success rates, and intubation difficulty score as compared to McGrath MAC in neonates and infants, though the former provided superior glottic views. Both the videolaryngoscopes may be safely used in infants and neonates for routine intubation scenarios.

COVID-19 presenting with spontaneous massive pneumomediastinum in a three-month-old child

A three‐month‐old child presented to our district general hospital with acute respiratory distress. He was found to have massive spontaneous pneumomediastinum and extensive surgical emphysema overlying the neck. Tracheal intubation using the GlideScope® was difficult, and the patient’s trachea was ultimately intubated with a direct laryngoscope. Computed tomography revealed bilateral lung consolidation and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction swab was positive for SARS‐CoV‐2. There was no other precipitating factor to explain the presence of pneumomediastinum. The patient was treated with pleural and mediastinal drains, required five days of mechanical ventilation on a paediatric intensive care unit and subsequently made a full recovery. We outline our initial differential diagnosis, airway management plan, and propose a mechanism for the development of spontaneous pneumomediastinum in this case. We suggest that clinicians should consider pneumomediastinum as a potential cause of surgical emphysema, particularly in the context of COVID‐19, even in infants. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of COVID‐19 in this age group with spontaneous pneumomediastinum as the presenting feature.

Pediatric airway management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Children are at risk of severe hypoxemia in the perioperative period owing to their unique anatomy and physiology. Safe and effective airway management strategies are therefore key to the practice of pediatric anesthesia. The goal of this review is to highlight recent publications (2019-2021) aimed to advance pediatric airway safety and to highlight a proposed simple, pediatric-specific, universal framework to guide clinical practice.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent investigations demonstrate that infants with normal and difficult airways experience high incidences of multiple laryngoscopy attempts and resulting hypoxemia. Video laryngoscopy may improve tracheal intubation first attempt success rate in infants with normal airways. In infants with difficult airways, standard blade video laryngoscopy is associated with higher first attempt success rates over non-standard blade video laryngoscopy. Recent studies in children with Pierre Robin sequence and mucopolysaccharidoses help guide airway equipment and technique selection. Department airway leads and hospital difficult airway services are necessary to disseminate knowledge, lead quality improvement initiatives, and promote evidence-based practice guidelines.

SUMMARY

Pediatric airway management morbidity is a common problem in pediatric anesthesia. Improvements in individual practitioner preparation and management strategies as well as systems-based policies are required. A simple, pediatric-specific, universal airway management framework can be adopted for safe pediatric anesthesia practice.

Comparison of Glidescope Core, C-MAC Miller and conventional Miller laryngoscope for difficult airway management by anesthetists with limited and extensive experience in a simulated Pierre Robin sequence: A randomized crossover manikin study

BACKGROUND

Video laryngoscopy is an effective tool in the management of difficult pediatric airway. However, evidence to guide the choice of the most appropriate video laryngoscope (VL) for airway management in pediatric patients with Pierre Robin syndrome (PRS) is insufficient. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the Glidescope® Core™ with a hyperangulated blade, the C-MAC® with a nonangulated Miller blade (C-MAC® Miller) and a conventional Miller laryngoscope when used by anesthetists with limited and extensive experience in simulated Pierre Robin sequence.

METHODS

Forty-three anesthetists with limited experience and forty-three anesthetists with extensive experience participated in our randomized crossover manikin trial. Each performed endotracheal intubation with the Glidescope® Core™ with a hyperangulated blade, the C-MAC® with a Miller blade and the conventional Miller laryngoscope. "Time to intubate" was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were "time to vocal cords", "time to ventilate", overall success rate, number of intubation attempts and optimization maneuvers, Cormack-Lehane score, severity of dental trauma and subjective impressions.

RESULTS

Both hyperangulated and nonangulated VLs provided superior intubation conditions. The Glidescope® Core™ enabled the best glottic view, caused the least dental trauma and significantly decreased the "time to vocal cords". However, the failure rate of intubation was 14% with the Glidescope® Core™, 4.7% with the Miller laryngoscope and only 2.3% with the C-MAC® Miller when used by anesthetists with extensive previous experience. In addition, the "time to intubate", the "time to ventilate" and the number of optimization maneuvers were significantly increased using the Glidescope® Core™. In the hands of anesthetists with limited previous experience, the failure rate was 11.6% with the Glidescope® Core™ and 7% with the Miller laryngoscope. Using the C-MAC® Miller, the overall success rate increased to 100%. No differences in the "time to intubate" or "time to ventilate" were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The nonangulated C-MAC® Miller facilitated correct placement of the endotracheal tube and showed the highest overall success rate. Our results therefore suggest that the C-MAC® Miller could be beneficial and may contribute to increased safety in the airway management of infants with PRS when used by anesthetists with limited and extensive experience.

Difficult tracheal intubation in neonates and infants. NEonate and Children audiT of Anaesthesia pRactice IN Europe (NECTARINE): a prospective European multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND

Neonates and infants are susceptible to hypoxaemia in the perioperative period. The aim of this study was to analyse interventions related to anaesthesia tracheal intubations in this European cohort and identify their clinical consequences.

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of tracheal intubations of the European multicentre observational trial (NEonate and Children audiT of Anaesthesia pRactice IN Europe [NECTARINE]) in neonates and small infants with difficult tracheal intubation. The primary endpoint was the incidence of difficult intubation and the related complications. The secondary endpoints were the risk factors for severe hypoxaemia attributed to difficult airway management, and 30 and 90 day outcomes.

RESULTS

Tracheal intubation was planned in 4683 procedures. Difficult tracheal intubation, defined as two failed attempts of direct laryngoscopy, occurred in 266 children (271 procedures) with an incidence (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 5.8% (95% CI, 5.1-6.5). Bradycardia occurred in 8% of the cases with difficult intubation, whereas a significant decrease in oxygen saturation (SpO₂<90% for 60 s) was reported in 40%. No associated risk factors could be identified among co-morbidities, surgical, or anaesthesia management. Using propensity scoring to adjust for confounders, difficult anaesthesia tracheal intubation did not lead to an increase in 30 and 90 day morbidity or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study demonstrate a high incidence of difficult tracheal intubation in children less than 60 weeks post-conceptual age commonly resulting in severe hypoxaemia. Reassuringly, the morbidity and mortality at 30 and 90 days was not increased by the occurrence of a difficult intubation event.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02350348.