Recent developments in airway management of the paediatric patient

Left Head Rotation as an Alternative to Difficult Tracheal Intubation: Randomized Open Label Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Tracheal intubation is a life-saving intervention, and optimizing the patient's head and neck position for the best glottic view is a crucial step that accelerates the procedure. The left head rotation maneuver has been recently described as an innovative alternative to the traditional sniffing position used for tracheal intubation with marked improvement in glottic visualization.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the glottic view and intubating conditions in the sniffing position versus left head rotation during direct laryngoscopy.

METHODS

This randomized, open-label clinical trial enrolled 52 adult patients admitted to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center from September 2020 to January 2021 for an elective surgical procedure requiring tracheal intubation under general anesthesia. Intubation was done using a 45° left head rotation in the experimental group (n=26), while the control group (n=26) was intubated using the conventional sniffing position. Glottic visualization and intubation difficulty with the two procedures were assessed using the Cormack-Lehane grade and Intubation Difficulty Scale, respectively. Successful intubation is measured by observing a capnographic waveform in the end-tidal CO2 monitor after placement of the endotracheal tube.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in the Cormack-Lehane grade, with 85% (n=44) of patients classified under grades 1 (n=11 and n=15) and 2 (n=11 and n=7) in the left head rotation and sniffing position groups, respectively. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in the Intubation Difficulty Scale scores of patients intubated with left head rotation or sniffing position; 30.7% (n=8) of patients in both groups were easily intubated, while 53.8% (n=14) in left head rotation and 57.6% (n=15) in sniffing position groups were intubated with slight difficulty. Similarly, there were no significant differences between the 2 techniques in any of the 7 parameters of the Intubation Difficulty Scale, although numerically fewer patients required the application of additional lifting force (n=7, 26.9% vs n=11, 42.3%) or laryngeal pressure (n=3, 11.5% vs n=7, 26.9%) when intubated with left head rotation. The intubation success rate with left head rotation was 92.3% versus 100% in the sniffing position, but this difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Left head rotation produces comparable laryngeal exposure and intubation ease to the conventional sniffing position. Therefore, left head rotation may be an alternative for patients who cannot be intubated in the sniffing position, especially in hospitals where advanced techniques such as video laryngoscopes and flexible bronchoscopes are unavailable, as is the case in this study. However, since our sample size was small, studies with a larger study population are warranted to establish the generalizability of our findings. In addition, we observed inadequate familiarity among anesthesiologists with the left head rotation technique, and the intubation success rate may improve as practitioners attain greater technical familiarization.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN)ISRCTN23442026; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN23442026.

Evaluation of the C-MAC Miller Video Laryngoscope Sizes 0 and 1 During Tracheal Intubation of Infants Less Than 10 kg

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Video laryngoscopy has primarily been developed to assist in difficult airways. Using video laryngoscopy in pediatric airway management is an up-and-coming topic. The aim of the presented study was to compare the intubation conditions obtained when using the C-MAC video laryngoscope with Miller blades sizes 0 and 1 for standard direct laryngoscopy and indirect laryngoscopy in children weighing less than 10 kg.

DESIGN

This was a prospective study.

SETTING

The study was performed in a university hospital.

PATIENTS

Following ethical approval, 86 infants weighing less than 10 kg and undergoing surgery under general anesthesia were studied prospectively.

INTERVENTION

Indirect and direct laryngoscopy either with C-MAC Miller blade size 0 or size 1.

MEASUREMENTS

First, direct laryngoscopy was performed, and the best obtained view was graded without looking at the video monitor. A second investigator blinded to the view obtained under direct laryngoscopy graded the laryngeal view on the video monitor. Time to intubation, intubation conditions, and intubation attempts were recorded.

RESULTS

In infants less than 10 kg, intubation conditions were excellent. There were no significant differences between the use of Miller blade 0 or 1 in reference to Cormack-Lehane grade, time to intubation, time to best view, or intubation attempts. Comparing direct and indirect intubation conditions using either Miller blade 0 or 1 revealed that the use of indirect laryngoscopy provided a significantly better view (P < 0.05) of the vocal cords. In 3 infants weighing more than 8 kg, the Miller blade 0 was described as too short and narrow for intubation.

CONCLUSIONS

Both devices allowed for an excellent visualization of the vocal cords.

TruView Video Laryngoscope for Lateral Position Intubation in a Patient With Giant Presacral Neurofibroma

BACKGROUND

Most airway management is done in the supine position, but some situations may require airway management in the lateral position. Most emergency physicians and anesthesiologists are not comfortable with intubation in the lateral position.

CASE REPORT

We present a patient with giant presacral neurofibroma and the use of video laryngoscope for airway management in the lateral position. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to utilize a video laryngoscope for lateral intubation. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: An emergency physician is the first contact for many patients when immediate airway management is mandatory. Lateral position for airway management is not popular among anesthesiologists and emergency physicians, but the patient's condition and pathology may demand this approach. Airway management in the lateral position can be considered part of airway management training.

Comparing the Ease of Mask Ventilation, Laryngoscopy, and Intubation in Supine and Lateral Position in Infants with Meningomyelocele

Background

The biggest anesthetic challenge in infants with thoracolumbar /sacral meningomyelocele is securing the airway. For securing the airway, most of the anesthesiologist's practices supine position with doughnut or head ring placed around the swelling to prevent rupture, which has got disadvantages like risk of rupture, infection and damage to neural structure. Left lateral position has been recommended previously for tracheal intubation in post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. Several studies have shown successful ventilation in lateral position using laryngeal mask airway and intubation using video laryngoscopes.

Aims and Objectives

Primary objective is to compare the time taken for intubation, number of attempts required for intubation. Secondary objective is to compare ease of mask ventilation, Cormack Lehane grading and Backwards Upward Rightwards Pressure [BURP] manoeuvre.

Materials and Methods

A comparative, prospective randomized, controlled trial of 60 infants undergoing thoracolumbar/sacral meningomylocele repair. Infants were allocated to one of two groups of 30 patients each, by computer-generated randomization into Group S: mask ventilation, laryngoscopy and intubation in supine position and Group L: mask ventilation, laryngoscopy and intubation in lateral position.

Statistical Methods

Chi-square/Fisher Exact test was used to find the significance of study parameters on categorical scale between two or more groups.

Results

Mean intubation time of sixteen seconds were clinically acceptable and comparable in each of the two positions P = 0.145. Ten patients in the left lateral position, eight patients in the supine position required second intubation attempts before the airway was secured. Only 8.3% of our patients required third intubation attempts.

Conclusion

Anesthesiologist should pay more attention to the safety and quality of mask ventilation, laryngoscopy and intubation in meningomylocele infants. Both supine and lateral position were comparable.

Laryngeal mask airway Unique™ position in paediatric patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): prospective observational study

Background

Laryngeal mask UNIQUE® (LMAU) is supraglottic airway device with good clinical performance and low failure rate. Little is known about the ideal position of the LMAU on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and whether radiological malposition can be associated with clinical performance (audible leak) in children. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate incidence of the radiologic malposition of the LMAU according to size. The secondary outcome was the clinical performance and associated complications (1st attempt success rate, audible leak) in LMAUs in correct position vs. radiologically misplaced LMAUs.

Methods

In prospective observational study, all paediatric patients undergoing MRI of the brain under general anaesthesia with the LMAU were included (1.9.2016–16.5.2017). The radiologically correct position: LMAU in hypopharynx, proximal cuff opposite to the C1 or C2 and distance A (proximal cuff end and aditus laryngis) ≤ distance B (distal cuff end and aditus laryngis). Malposition A: LMAU outside the hypopharynx. Malposition B: proximal cuff outside C1-C2. Malposition C: distance A ≥ distance B. We measured distances on the MRI image. Malposition incidence between LMAU sizes and first attempt success rate in trainees and consultant groups was compared using Fisher exact test, difference in incidence of malpositions using McNemar test and difference in leakage according to radiological position using two-sample binomial test.

Results

Overall 202 paediatric patients were included. The incidence of radiologically defined malposition was 26.2% (n = 53). Laryngeal mask was successfully inserted on the 1st attempt in 91.1% (n = 184) cases. Audible leak was detected in 3.5% (n = 7) patients. The radiologically defined malposition was present in 42.9% (n = 3) cases with audible leak. The rate of associated complications was 1.5% (n = 3): laryngospasm, desaturation, cough. In 4.0% (n = 8) the LMAU was soiled from blood.

Higher incidence of radiological malposition was in LMAU 1.0, 1.5 and LMAU 3, 4 compared to LMAU 2 or LMAU 2.5 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Malposition was not associated with impaired clinical performance (audible leak, complications) of the LMAU or the need for alternative airway management.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov  (NCT02940652) Registered 18 October 18 2016.

Controversies in Pediatric Perioperative Airways

Pediatric airway management is a challenge in routine anesthesia practice. Any airway-related complication due to improper procedure can have catastrophic consequences in pediatric patients. The authors reviewed the current relevant literature using the following data bases: Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline (OVID SP), and Dynamed, and the following keywords: Airway/s, Children, Pediatric, Difficult Airways, and Controversies. From a summary of the data, we identified several controversies: difficult airway prediction, difficult airway management, cuffed versus uncuffed endotracheal tubes for securing pediatric airways, rapid sequence induction (RSI), laryngeal mask versus endotracheal tube, and extubation timing. The data show that pediatric anesthesia practice in perioperative airway management is currently lacking the strong evidence-based medicine (EBM) data that is available for adult subpopulations. A number of procedural steps in airway management are derived only from adult populations. However, the objective is the same irrespective of patient age: proper securing of the airway and oxygenation of the patient.

Cuffed tracheal tubes in children: past, present and future

This article reviews recent developments and core topics in the use and design of pediatric cuffed tracheal tubes. A concept for an appropriate pediatric cuffed tracheal tube is introduced. The main points in this concept are evidence-based tracheal tube size recommendation, continuous cuff pressure monitoring and a pediatric tracheal tube with an anatomically-based intubation depth mark and a short distally placed high-volume-low pressure cuff made from an ultra-thin polyurethane membrane with markedly improved tracheal sealing performance. The main points in proper handling of cuffed tracheal tubes in children are highlighted. Finally, an outlook on future developments in the design of pediatric cuffed tracheal tubes and an overview of tasks to be performed in evaluating them is given.

Comparison of the TruView infant EVO2 PCD™ and C-MAC video laryngoscopes with direct Macintosh laryngoscopy for routine tracheal intubation in infants with normal airways

OBJECTIVE

Videolaryngoscopy has mainly been developed to facilitate difficult airway intubation. However, there is a lack of studies demonstrating this method's efficacy in pediatric patients. The aim of the present study was to compare the TruView infant EVO2 and the C-MAC videolaryngoscope with conventional direct Macintosh laryngoscopy in children with a bodyweight ≤10 kg in terms of intubation conditions and the time to intubation.

METHODS

In total, 65 children with a bodyweight ≤10 kg (0-22 months) who had undergone elective surgery requiring endotracheal intubation were retrospectively analyzed. Our database was screened for intubations with the TruView infant EVO2, the C-MAC videolaryngoscope, and conventional direct Macintosh laryngoscopy. The intubation conditions, the time to intubation, and the oxygen saturation before and after intubation were monitored, and demographic data were recorded. Only children with a bodyweight ≤10 kg were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 23 children were intubated using the C-MAC videolaryngoscope, and 22 children were intubated using the TruView EVO2. Additionally, 20 children were intubated using a standard Macintosh blade. The time required for tracheal intubation was significantly longer using the TruView EVO2 (52 sec vs. 28 sec for C-MAC vs. 26 sec for direct LG). However, no significant difference in oxygen saturation was found after intubation.

CONCLUSION

All devices allowed excellent visualization of the vocal cords, but the time to intubation was prolonged when the TruView EVO2 was used. The absence of a decline in oxygen saturation may be due to apneic oxygenation via the TruView scope and may provide a margin of safety. In sum, the use of the TruView by a well-trained anesthetist may be an alternative for difficult airway management in pediatric patients.

Equipment to manage a difficult airway during anaesthesia

Airway complications are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in anaesthesia. Effective management of a difficult airway requires the timely availability of suitable airway equipment. The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists has recently developed guidelines for the minimum set of equipment needed for the effective management of an unexpected difficult airway (TG4 [2010] www.anzca.edu.au/resources/professionaldocuments). TG4 [2010] is based on expert consensus, underpinned by wide consultation and an extensive review of the available evidence, which is summarised in a Background Paper (TG4 BP [2010] www.anzca.edu.au/ resources/professional-documents). TG4 [2010] will be reviewed at the end of one year and thereafter every five years or more frequently if necessary. The current paper is reproduced directly from the Background Paper (TG4 BP [2010]).

Effect of pediatric advanced life support course on pediatric residents' intubation success

BACKGROUND

The Pediatric Advanced Life Support Program (PALS) course very important for teaching about intubation, resuscitation, shock, trauma, respiratory failure and rhythm disturbances. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the PALS course on pediatric residents' intubation success during their rotation, daytime and night-time practice in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

METHODS

The study was carried out from 1 March 2005 to 28 February 2007. The study period had two parts, in that the number of attempts and successful intubations performed by pediatric residents, and the pediatric intensivist successful intubation ratio were evaluated in two different periods: before the PALS course, 1 March 2005-28 February 2006, and after the PALS course, 5 March 2006-28 February 2007. The participating residents' pediatric levels (PL) were classed as PL-1, PL-2, PL-3, PL-4, and all had first experience in the PICU at the PL-1 level. The PALS instructor was a pediatric emergency or intensive care doctor. We evaluated whether the PALS course influenced intubation success or not.

RESULTS

Sixteen residents participated in the study. The proportion of successful intubations was 110 (53.3%) and 104 (65.4%) attempts before and after the PALS course, respectively. The proportion of intubations done by intensivists decreased from 49.1% to 31.7% before and after PALS. The most frequently used endotracheal tube (ETT) internal diameter (ID) was 4.0 mm, and cuffed ETT was used 16% and 21% before and after the course, respectively. Appropriate placing of ETT tip occurred 70.4% and 82.2% of the time before and after the PALS course, respectively. Proportion of successful intubations by residents increased in all levels, except for PL-1. The most important reason for unsuccessful attempts was inappropriate patient position. Only one patient could not be intubated, and laryngeal mask airway was used in that case. During intubation, complications were broken teeth in two patients before the course, and subglottic stenosis developed in only one patient due to cuffed ETT.

CONCLUSION

Successful intubation is a life-saving intervention during resuscitation, ETT revision for extubation or obstruction for extubation or obstruction during mechanical ventilation. This skill can be developed in the PALS course and by clinical study in PICU and pediatric emergency services. The PALS course must be given to pediatric residents especially within the first year. Also, cuffed ETT can be used for infants and children.

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.

Audit of performance of size 1.5 ProSeal laryngeal mask airways in infants less than six months undergoing inguinal herniotomy

Many anaesthetists have found the size 1.5 classic Laryngeal Mask Airway unsuitable for use in children under 10 kg, whereas recent studies evaluating the ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway (PLMA) show high success rates, even during laparoscopic surgery. Our routine practice has been to use tracheal intubation for inguinal herniotomy in children weighing less than 10 kg. Following the introduction of the PLMA to our hospital, we decided to audit our use of the PLMA 1.5 in this group of patients. We included 20 consecutive infants, aged less than six months and weighing 5 to 10 kg. We recorded patient, anaesthetic and insertion details, device performance data and complications. No aspect of anaesthetic practice was changed by involvement in this audit. The PLMA was inserted successfully at the first attempt in 85% (17/20) of infants. Overall successful insertion occurred in 90% (18/20) and satisfactory airway maintenance was provided for the duration of anaesthesia in 90% (18/20). The mean leak pressure was 24 cmH2O (range 15 to 30 cmH2O). We found the 1.5 PLMA provided a satisfactory airway in 90% of infants. This report adds to the evidence that the PLMA 1.5 can provide a satisfactory alternative to intubation in selected infants.

A comparison of the STORZ video laryngoscope and standard direct laryngoscopy for intubation in the Pediatric airway--a randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Direct laryngoscopy can be challenging in infants and neonates. Even with an optimal line of sight to the glottic opening, the viewing angle has been measured at 15 degrees . The STORZ DCI video laryngoscope (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) incorporates a fiberoptic camera in the light source of a standard laryngoscope of variable sizes. The image is displayed on a screen with a viewing angle of 80 degrees . We studied the effectiveness of the STORZ DCI as an airway tool compared to standard direct laryngoscopy in children with normal airway.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized study, 56 children (ages 4 years or younger) undergoing elective surgery with the need for endotracheal intubation were divided into two groups: children who underwent standard direct laryngoscopy using a Miller 1 or Macintosh 2 blade (DL) and children who underwent video laryngoscopy using the STORZ DCI video laryngoscope with a Miller 1 blade (VL). Time to best view (TTBV), time to intubate (TTI), Cormack-Lehane (CL), and percentage of glottis opening seen (POGO) score were recorded.

RESULTS

TTBV in DL was 5.5 (4-8) s and 7 (4.2-9) s in VL. TTI in DL was 21 (17-29) s and in VL 27 (22-37) s (P = 0.006). The view as assessed by POGO score was 97.5% (60-100%) in DL and 100% (100-100%) in the VL (P = 0.003). Data are presented as median and interquartile range and analyzed using t-test.

DISCUSSION

This study demonstrates that the STORZ DCI video laryngoscope provides an improved view to the glottis in children with normal airway anatomy, but requires a longer time for intubation.

Comparison of different techniques of laryngeal mask placement in children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The insertion of laryngeal mask airway is not always easy in children, and many techniques are described to improve success rate of placement. It is very important to determine the optimal insertion technique as unsuccessful prolonged insertion and multiple attempts are associated with adverse respiratory events and trauma in children. This article will review different techniques studied recently for the placement of classical laryngeal mask airway in children as well as recent findings of cuff pressure and depth of anesthesia for laryngeal mask airway placement. Laryngeal mask airway in children has undergone many modifications such as ProSeal laryngeal mask airway to improve its functioning. This article will also review different insertion techniques for ProSeal laryngeal mask airway.

RECENT FINDINGS

Rotational technique with partially inflated cuff is reported to have the highest success rate of insertion and lowest incidence of complications for classical laryngeal mask airway in children. Clinical endpoints for cuff inflation are associated with significant hyperinflation and increased leakage around the laryngeal mask airway cuff. The inferences regarding the dosage of intravenous anesthetic agents and end-tidal concentration of volatile anesthetics in children to achieve adequate depth for laryngeal mask airway placement are very difficult to draw. ProSeal laryngeal mask airway is associated with a very high first attempt success and overall success of insertion in children.

SUMMARY

Rotational technique may be considered as the first technique of choice for classical laryngeal mask airway insertion in children. The routine use of cuff pressure monitoring is mandatory during the use of laryngeal mask airway in children. Modification of laryngeal mask airway in children, that is ProSeal laryngeal mask airway, is promising and improves the success rate of insertion.

A left paraglossal approach for oral intubation in children scheduled for bilateral orofacial cleft reconstruction surgery--a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Children with orofacial cleft defects are expected to have difficult airways. Conventional midline laryngoscopic approach of oral intubation can lead to iatrogenic tissue trauma. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of left paraglossal laryngoscopy as a primary technique for airway management in these children.

METHODS

After institutional ethical committee approval and informed consent, we enrolled 21 children with uncorrected bilateral lip and palate deformities (BL CL/P). Anesthesia was induced with halothane (0.5-4%) in 100% oxygen. After obtaining intravenous access, fentanyl 1.5 microg x kg(-1) and atracurium 0.5 mg x kg(-1) were administered. Endotracheal intubation was performed with Miller's straight blade laryngoscope, introduced using left paraglossal approach. Difficulty of intubation was scored according to modified Intubation Difficulty Scale.

RESULTS

Data consists of 21 children (15 males and six females), mean age 1.31 +/- 1.18 years and weight 9.27 +/- 2.57 kg. Laryngoscopic view obtained was CL II (7[33.3%]) and CL I (14[66.6%]) respectively (Figure 1). All the children could be easily intubated using left paraglossal approach, only 2/3 of them needed optimal external laryngeal manipulation to help achieving it. Though intubation could be done in the first attempt in 19 children, two infants (9 1/2 and 11 months) required one size smaller endotracheal tube and were intubated in the second attempt using left paraglossal approach. Perioperative course was uneventful in all the children.

CONCLUSION

Keeping in mind midline tissue support loss in cleft deformities, we propose routine use of left paraglossal laryngoscopic approach for intubating children with uncorrected BL CL/P anomalies.