Teaching consultants airway management skills

A Systematic Review of Simulators in Otolaryngology

Objective

To conduct a systematic review of published articles that describe simulators that could be used in otolaryngology for education, skill acquisition, and/or skill improvement.

Data Sources

Ovid and Embase databases searched July 14, 2011.

Review Methods

Three hundred fifty-three abstracts were independently reviewed by both authors, then 154 eligible articles were reviewed by both authors, and 95 articles were categorized by organ system (eg, otologic); type of simulator (eg, physical, virtual); whether the simulator was a prototype, could be purchased, or was constructed; validation; and level of learning assessment. Discrepancies were resolved by re-review and discussion.

Results

In addition to 11 overview articles, 28 articles described 16 otology simulators, most of which are virtual and prototypes. Ninteen articles described 10 sinus/rhinology simulators; most are virtual surgery simulators and prototypes. Eight articles described 8 oral cavity simulators, and 8 articles described neck simulators. Seventeen articles described 13 bronchoscopy simulators; several are full-body high-technology manikins adapted from other purposes. Five articles described eclectic simulators, including some for learning nontechnical and teamwork skills. Half of the simulators have been validated. Learning levels were often not assessed or assessment was limited to the learners’ perceptions.

Conclusion

A wide variety of simulators are available or under development. Lack of unified validation concepts and limited descriptions restricted our ability to assess model characteristics, availability, and validation. Simulators are emerging as powerful tools to facilitate learning; this review may provide a platform for discussion and refinement of the information reported and analyzed in evaluating simulators.

A comparison of bonfils fiberscope-assisted laryngoscopy and standard direct laryngoscopy in simulated difficult pediatric intubation: a manikin study

INTRODUCTION

Difficult airway management in children is challenging. One alternative device to the gold standard of direct laryngoscopy is the STORZ Bonfils fiberscope (Karl Storz Endoscopy, Tuttlingen, Germany), a rigid fiberoptic stylette-like scope with a curved tip. Although results in adults have been encouraging, reports regarding its use in children have been conflicting. We compared the effectiveness of a standard laryngoscope to the Bonfils fiberscope in a simulated difficult infant airway.

METHODS

Ten pediatric anesthesiologists were recruited for this study and asked to perform three sets of tasks. For the first task, each participant intubated an unaltered manikin (SimBaby (TM), Laerdal, Puchheim, Germany) five times using a styletted 3.5 endotracheal tube (ETT) and a Miller 1 blade (group DL-Normal). For the second task, a difficult airway configuration simulating a Cormack-Lehane grade 3B view was created by fixing a Miller-1 blade into position in the manikin using a laboratory stand. Each participant then intubated the manikin five times with a styletted 3.5 ETT using conventional technique but without touching the laryngoscope (group DL-Difficult). In the third task, the manikin was kept in the same difficult airway configuration, and each participant intubated the manikin five times using a 3.5-mm ETT mounted on the Bonfils fiberscope as an adjunct to direct laryngoscopy with the Miller-1 blade (group BF-Difficult). Primary outcomes were time to intubate and success rate.

RESULTS

A total of 150 intubations were performed. Correct ETT placement was achieved in 100% of attempts in group DL-Normal, 90% of attempts in group DL-Difficult and 98% of attempts in BF-Difficult. Time to intubate averaged 14 s (interquartile range 12-16) in group DL-Normal; 12 s (10-15) in group DL-Difficult; and 11 s (10-18) in group BF-Difficult. The percentage of glottic opening seen (POGO score) was 70% (70-80) in group DL-Normal; 0% (0-0) in group DL-Difficult; and 100% (100-100) in group BF-Difficult.

DISCUSSION

The Bonfils fiberscope-assisted laryngoscopy was easier to use and provided a better view of the larynx than simple direct laryngoscopy in the simulated difficult pediatric airway, but intubation success rate and time to intubate were not improved. Further studies of the Bonfils fibrescope as a pediatric airway adjunct are needed.

New simulation-based airway management training program for junior physicians: Advanced Airway Life Support

BACKGROUND

All junior physicians in Taiwan were enrolled into a 3-month post-graduate year 1 (PGY1) course after Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) attack in 2003.

AIMS

To develop and evaluate a new airway management training protocol by using an integrated course of lectures, technical workshops and medical simulations.

METHODS

In each PGY1 course, the trainees participated in the Advanced Airway Life Support (AALS) program. After 2 h lecture, the trainees were divided into three groups for 4 h technical workshop, including 10 skill stations and medical simulation at the Clinical Skills Resources Center of the hospital at different times. Video-based debriefing and feedback were performed after each simulation. The same scenario was re-simulated after debriefing. Participants' performance was assessed by single global rating and a 5 key actions scoring.

RESULTS

A total of 266 junior physicians have been trained with this AALS programs in 2 years. They learned the techniques of airway management, passed the performance checklist of technical workshop, and received higher scores during re-simulation regardless of scoring methods.

CONCLUSIONS

The AALS training program can provide methodical and systematic training for junior residents to mature with specialized technical skills and higher-order cognitive skills, behaviors and leadership in airway management.

The Effectiveness of a Novel, Algorithm-Based Difficult Airway Curriculum for Air Medical Crews Using Human Patient Simulators

INTRODUCTION

Airway management is one of the most important skills possessed by flight crews. However, few data exist about the efficacy of various educational approaches. Traditional models for airway training, including cadaver labs, operating room exposure, and clinical apprenticeships, are scarce and offer variable educational quality. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of a simulator-based difficult airway curriculum in a large, aeromedical company.

METHODS

Simulation training was integrated into existing airway training for all crew members; an original difficult airway algorithm was used to guide scenarios. To evaluate its effectiveness, rapid sequence intubation (RSI) success before and after curriculum implementation was determined. In addition, crew members rated their confidence with various aspects of airway management before and after exposure to the airway workshops.

RESULTS

First attempt and overall ETI success improved from 71.3% and 89.3% before (n=261) to 87.5% and 94.6% after (n=504) implementation of the algorithm and simulation training, whereas the incidence of hypoxic arrests during RSI decreased from 2.7% to 0.2% (p<0.01 for all comparisons). Crew members reported improvements in confidence with regard to all aspects of airway management following participation in the simulation workshops.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel, integrated airway management curriculum using treatment algorithms and simulation appeared to be effective for improving RSI success among air medical crews in this program.

Comparison of 1- versus 2-person bag-valve-mask techniques for manikin ventilation of infants and children

STUDY OBJECTIVE

We compare the mean tidal volumes per weight and peak pressures generated by the 1- and 2-person techniques of bag-valve-mask ventilation in a pediatric model.

METHODS

This was a prospective, descriptive study in which postgraduate year 1, postgraduate year 2, and postgraduate year 3 pediatric residents, postgraduate year 2 emergency medicine residents, pediatric emergency department nurses, transport personnel, and paramedics were asked to perform 1- and 2-person bag-valve-mask ventilation on infant and child manikins. Participants were randomly assigned a partner and performed both techniques. Tidal volume and peak pressure were recorded every 15 seconds for 3 minutes by a blinded assistant.

RESULTS

Seventy participants, 10 in each group, completed the study. Overall, for the infant- and child-manikin groups, the 2-person technique generated higher mean tidal volume per weight than the 1-person technique (infant: 7.2 versus 5.9; child: 8.8 versus 6.1). Overall, the 2-person technique generated higher mean peak pressures than the 1-person technique (infant: 27.4 versus 22.0; child: 27.2 versus 21.8). Similar results were found among all provider groups. Paramedics were the only providers able to generate a recommended median tidal volume per weight of 10 mL/kg in the child manikin group when using either technique and were the only providers, when using the 2-person technique, to generate a mean tidal volume per weight of 10 mL/kg in the infant group.

CONCLUSION

Two-person bag-valve-mask ventilation provided greater mean tidal volumes per weight and peak pressures in the infant- and child-manikin model compared with the 1-person technique.

Teaching Emergency Airway Management Using Medical Simulation: A Pilot Program

OBJECTIVE

Simulation is a tool that has been used successfully in many high performance fields to permit training in rare and hazardous events. Our goal was to develop and evaluate a program to teach airway crisis management to otolaryngology trainees using medical simulation.

METHODS

A full-day curriculum in the management of airway emergencies was developed. The program consists of three airway emergency scenarios, developed in collaboration between attending otolaryngologists and faculty from the Center for Medical Simulation. Following each scenario, the participants are led in a structured, video-assisted debriefing by a trained debriefer. Didactic material on team leadership and crisis management is built into the debriefings. Pediatric otolaryngology fellows, residents, and medical students have participated in the four courses that have been held to date. Participants evaluated the program on a five-point Likert scale.

RESULTS

A total of 17 trainees participated in four pilot training courses. The survey data are as follows: overall program, 5.0 (SD, 0.00); course goals, 4.79 (SD, 0.43); realism, 4.36 (SD, 0.63); value of lecture, 4.71 (SD, 0.47); and quality of debriefings, 4.92 (SD, 0.28). Sample comments include: "This is a valuable tool for students and residents since true emergencies in ORL are often life-threatening and infrequent," and "This is a great course-really all physicians should experience it." Overall evaluation was extremely positive and both residents and fellows described the course as filling an important void in their education.

CONCLUSION

Medical simulation can be an extremely effective method for teaching airway crisis management and teamwork skills to otolaryngology trainees at all levels.