The paediatric airway

Comparison of the clinical performance of the Ambu®AuraGain™ laryngeal mask in children undergoing surgery in the supine and prone position - A prospective, non-inferiority clinical trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Reports are limited regarding supraglottic airway (SGA) usage in children in the prone position. This study aimed to compare the clinical performance of the Ambu®AuraGain™, a 2nd generation SGA, in children undergoing surgery in the prone and supine positions. We hypothesized that oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP) in the prone position would not be inferior to that in the supine position.

DESIGN

Single-center, prospective, non-randomized controlled study.

SETTING

Operating room.

PATIENTS

One hundred and twenty-six children, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III, aged 2-12 years, undergoing elective surgery for 2 h or less in the supine or prone position.

INTERVENTIONS

After induction of general anesthesia and insertion of the AuraGain, patients were positioned either supine or prone, according to type of surgery.

MEASUREMENTS

OLP immediately after surgical positioning was measured as the primary outcome. The anatomical position of the AuraGain was evaluated using a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope (Olympus LF-DP Tracheal Intubation Fiberscope, Melville, New York, USA). Airway maneuvers performed during placement and maintenance of the AuraGain and airway-related adverse events were recorded.

MAIN FINDINGS

The mean difference in OLP immediately after positioning was 0.048 cmH2O (95 % confidence interval: -1.521 to 1.616), and the non-inferiority hypothesis was accepted (P < 0.001 for non-inferiority). There was no significant difference in the anatomical position of the SGA and adverse events. Airway maneuvers were significantly more commonly performed during placement in the Prone group compared to the Supine group (51 (81.0 %) vs. 3 (4.8 %), respectively; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

OLP when using AuraGain in the prone position in children was not inferior to that in the supine position. This suggests that the AuraGain may be an effective option for children undergoing short surgical procedures in the prone position.

A Randomized Double-Blind Comparative Study of the Intubating Conditions and Hemodynamic Effects of Rocuronium and Succinylcholine in Pediatric Patients

BACKGROUND

The incidence of unanticipated difficult airways is higher in pediatric age groups than in adults due to the different airway anatomy, difficulty in airway examination, and congenital malformations. Rocuronium bromide has a comparable onset time to succinylcholine at its proportionate dose. Hence, we compared rocuronium bromide with succinylcholine to assess intubating conditions and their side effects, if any.

METHOD

A total of 200 pediatric patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades I and II between one and 14 years of age of either sex posted for elective surgery were included in the study. After randomization, group R (n = 100) received 1.2 mg/kg rocuronium, and group S (n = 100) received 2 mg/kg succinylcholine intravenously. After confirming the mask ventilation, the study drugs were administered, and intubating conditions were assessed as excellent, good, poor, or impossible. Hemodynamic changes post-intubation were recorded as our secondary outcome.

RESULT

Intubating conditions were excellent( 65%), good( 25%) and fair (10%) in patients of group R, while results in group S were excellent( 60%), good( 20%), fair (15%), and poor (5%) (p = 0.010). The heart rate was significantly increased post-intubation in group S, while there was no significant increase in systolic or diastolic blood pressure in either group.

CONCLUSION

At a dose of 1.2 mg/kg body weight, rocuronium was a better alternative to succinylcholine for providing rapid intubating conditions and stable hemodynamics without associated adverse effects.

[Update 2022: interdisciplinary statement on airway management with supraglottic airway devices in pediatric emergency medicine-The laryngeal mask is and remains state of the art : Joint statement of the Institute for Emergency Medicine and Medicine Management (INM), the University Clinic Munich, LMU Munich, Germany, the Working Group for Pediatric Critical Care and Emergency Medicine of the German Interdisciplinary Society for Critical Care and Emergency Medicine (DIVI), the Medical Directors of Emergency Medical Services in Bavaria (ÄLRD), the Scientific Working Group for Pediatric Anesthesia (WAKKA) of the German Society for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (DGAI), the Scientific Working Group for Emergency Medicine of the German Society for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (DGAI) and the Society of Neonatology and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine (GNPI)]

BACKGROUND

Airway management with supraglottic airway devices (SGA) in life-threatening emergencies in children is increasingly being used. Different specifications of laryngeal masks (LM) and the laryngeal tube (LT) are commonly used devices for this purpose. We present a literature review and interdisciplinary consensus statement of different societies on the use of SGA in pediatric emergency medicine.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Literature review in the PubMed database and classification of studies according to the criteria of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine. Levels and consensus finding within the group of authors.

RESULTS

The evidence for successful applications of the various types of LM is significantly higher than for LT application. Reported smaller series of successful applications of LT are currently limited to selected research groups and centers. Especially for children below 10 kg body weight there currently exists insufficient evidence for the successful application of the LT and therefore its routine use cannot be recommended. SGAs used for emergencies should have a gastric drainage possibility.

DISCUSSION

Considering the scientific data and the large clinical experience with the LM in medical routine and emergency situations in children currently only the LM can be recommended for alternative (i.e., non-intubation) emergency airway management in children. If alternative airway management is part of a local emergency strategy, the LM should be provided in all pediatric sizes (1, 1½, 2, 2½, 3) for out of hospital use and in hospital emergency use and all users should regularly be trained in its application.

[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.

Subglottic Post-Extubation Upper Airway Obstruction Is Associated With Long-Term Airway Morbidity in Children

OBJECTIVES

Post-extubation upper airway obstruction is the most common cause of extubation failure in children, but there are few data regarding long-term morbidity. We aim to describe the frequency of long-term airway sequelae in intubated children and determine the association with post-extubation upper airway obstruction.

DESIGN

Retrospective, post hoc analysis of previously identified prospective cohort of children in the pediatric/cardiothoracic ICU at Children's Hospital Los Angeles from July 2012 to April 2015. A single provider blinded to the upper airway obstruction classification reviewed the electronic medical records of all patients in the parent study, before and after the index extubation (extubation during parent study), to identify pre-index and post-index upper airway disease. Primary outcomes were prevalence of newly diagnosed airway anomalies following index extubation.

SETTING

Single center, tertiary, 391-bed children's hospital.

PATIENTS

From the parent study, 327 children younger than 18 years (intubated for at least 12 hr) were included if they received subsequent care (regardless of specialty) after the index extubation.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

New airway anomalies were identified in 40 of 327 children (12.2%). Patients labeled with subglottic upper airway obstruction at the index extubation were more likely to be diagnosed with new airway anomalies on subsequent follow-up, receive long-term Otolaryngology follow-up, or receive airway surgery (all p ≤ 0.006). In multivariable modeling, upper airway obstruction as the primary reason for initial intubation (odds ratio, 3.71; CI, 1.50-9.19), reintubation during the index ICU admission (odds ratio, 4.44; CI, 1.67-11.80), pre-index airway anomaly (odds ratio, 3.31; CI, 1.36-8.01), and post-extubation subglottic upper airway obstruction (odds ratio, 3.50; CI, 1.46-8.34) remained independently associated with the diagnosis of new airway anomalies.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-extubation subglottic upper airway obstruction is associated with a three-fold greater odds of long-term airway morbidity. These patients may represent an at-risk population that should be monitored closely after leaving the ICU.

Utility of ultrasound evaluation of I-Gel® placement in children: An observational study

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound is not widely used to evaluate optimal supraglottic airway positioning even though it could potentially be used to identify and correct problem areas.

AIMS

We evaluated a new ultrasound scoring method to identify the position of the supraglottic airway and detect the location of air leaks during ventilation in pediatric patients.

METHODS

Using a prospective observational study design, we enrolled 90 pediatric patients of ASA physical status I-III scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. After anesthesia induction, patients were assigned to a noncorrection group or a correction group after their first ultrasound evaluation. Noncorrection group comprised patients with tolerable I-Gel positioning based on ultrasound evaluation and no problems with clinical parameters, while the correction group comprised patients with I-Gel mispositioning based on ultrasound.

RESULTS

After the first ultrasound evaluation, 61 patients did not need I-Gel correction (noncorrection group), while 29 patients needed I-Gel correction (correction group) and underwent a second ultrasound evaluation. Airway sealing pressure and total ultrasound score showed a negative correlation (r = -.845, p < .001). The area under the receiver operating curve for total ultrasound score was 0.97 (95% confidence interval, 0.94-0.99; p < .001). In the correction group, ultrasound score and ventilation parameters improved after correction based on ultrasound evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound scores were negatively correlated with airway sealing pressure in pediatric patients. Ultrasound evaluation is useful for detecting misplacement of the I-Gel and can be a useful tool for correction.

Pediatric Prehospital Advanced Airway Management by Anesthesiologist and Nurse Anesthetist Staffed Critical Care Teams

INTRODUCTION

Prehospital pediatric tracheal intubation (TI) is a possible life-saving intervention that requires adequate experience to mitigate associated complications. The pediatric airway and respiratory physiology present challenges in addition to a relatively rare incidence of prehospital pediatric TI.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe characteristics and outcomes of prehospital TI in pediatric patients treated by critical care teams.

METHODS

This is a sub-group analysis of all pediatric (<16 years old) patients from a prospective, observational, multi-center study on prehospital advanced airway management in the Nordic countries from May 2015 through November 2016. The TIs were performed by anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists staffing six helicopter and six Rapid Response Car (RRC) prehospital critical care teams.

RESULTS

In the study, 74 children were tracheal intubated, which corresponds to 3.7% (74/2,027) of the total number of patients. The pediatric patients were intubated by very experienced providers, of which 80% had performed ≥2,500 TIs. The overall TI success rate, first pass success rate, and airway complication rate were in all children (<16 years) 98%, 82%, and 12%. The corresponding rates among infants (<2 years) were 94%, 67%, and 11%. The median time on scene was 30 minutes.

CONCLUSION

This study observed a high overall prehospital TI success rate in children with relatively few associated complications and short time on scene, despite the challenges presented by the pediatric prehospital TI.

Pediatric airway: What is new in approaches and treatments?

Perioperative morbidity and mortality are high among patients in the extremes of life undergoing anesthesia. Complications in children occur mainly as a result of airway management-related events such as difficult approach, laryngospasm, bronchospasm and severe hypoxemia, which may result in cardiac arrest, neurological deficit or death. Reports and new considerations that have changed clinical practice in pediatric airway management have emerged in recent years. This narrative literature review seeks to summarize and detail the findings on the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric anesthesia and to highlight those things that anesthetists need to be aware of, according to the scientific reports that have been changing practice in pediatric anesthesia. This review focuses on the identification of “new” and specific practices that have emerged over the past 10 years and have helped reduce complications associated with pediatric airway management. At least 9 practices grouped into 4 groups are described: assessment, approach techniques, devices, and algorithms. The same devices used in adults are essentially all available for the management of the pediatric airway, and anesthesia-related morbidity and mortality can be reduced through improved quality of care in pediatrics.

Airway management in children with hemifacial microsomia: a restropective study of 311 cases

Background

Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is a congenital craniofacial malformation which is associated with difficult airway. Anesthesiologists may experience difficult intubation in children with HFM. Mandibular distraction could increase the length of the mandible. Theoretically, it should be advantageous to laryngeal view during tracheal intubation. This study reviewed airway management in children with HFM, assessed the efficiency of direct laryngoscopy versus airway-visualizing equipment during the tracheal intubation and determined whether mandibular distraction could improve the laryngoscopic view in children with HFM.

Methods

A retrospective review of cases involving children with HFM aged 5 to 17 years old underwent anesthesia from December 2016 to April 2019 at a single center was performed. The demographic data, preoperative airway assessments, procedure type, anesthetic technique, method of airway management, anesthetists’ comments on mask ventilation, laryngoscopy and intubation parameters were collected.

Results

At last, 136 HFM children entered this study, a total of 311 anesthesia procedures were completed during the study period. Face mask ventilation was possible for most of children except 1 child (bilateral involvement) required two practitioners. The success rates of intubation for the primary video laryngoscopy and fibroscopy were both 100%, but 79.5% for direct laryngoscopy (P < 0.001). 95 (38.9%) children who had difficult laryngoscopic view (DLV) were significantly correlated with failed direct laryngoscopy (P < 0.001). Airway-visualizing equipment (video laryngoscope and Fiberscope) was the primary airway technique in 3 (75%) bilaterally involved children. 60 children underwent both mandibular distraction osteogenesis and the removal of distractor. The laryngoscopic views improved in 26 (43%) children after treatment with mandibular distraction (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Airway-visualizing equipment can be effectively utilized for intubation in HFM children with DLV. Mandibular distraction could improve the laryngeal view effectively.

A framework for the management of the pediatric airway

Critical airway incidents in children are a frequent problem in pediatric anesthesia and remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Young children are at particular risk in the perioperative period. Delayed management of airway obstruction can quickly lead to serious complications due to the short apnea tolerance in children. A simple, time critical, and pediatric-specific airway management approach combined with dedicated teaching, training, and frequent practice will help to reduce airway-related pediatric morbidity and mortality. There is currently no pediatric-specific universal framework available to guide practice. Current algorithms are modifications of adult approaches which are often inappropriate because of differences in age-related anatomy, physiology, and neurodevelopment. A universal and pragmatic approach is required to achieve acceptance across diverse pediatric clinicians, societies, and groups. Such a framework will also help to establish minimum standards for pediatric airway equipment, personnel, and medications whenever pediatric airway management is required.

Transglottic corticosteroid injection for treatment of soft post-intubation subglottic stenosis: a retrospective analysis of 26 children

PURPOSE

Surgical treatment is generally recommended for severe subglottic lesions following traumatic endotracheal intubation in children. An alternative approach is early transglottic corticosteroid administration to reduce scar formation and prevent the need for subsequent surgical intervention. This technique has been practiced successfully for several decades at the Children's Hospital of Cologne and the outcomes of 26 subsequent patients reviewed in this analysis.

METHODS

All patients who underwent transglottic corticosteroid injection for treatment of post-intubation stridor and dyspnoea between 2012 and 2018 were identified and their records and endoscopy images analysed. Severity of the endoscopic findings was assessed using the Myer-Cotton classification (MCC) and an Expected Need for Surgical Intervention (ENSI) score (1 = inevitable; 2 = very likely necessary; 3 = probably avoidable and 4 = most likely not necessary) was recorded. Treatment was considered successful if the children had a complete resolution of clinical symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 26 patients with a median (range) age of 1.9 (0.02-7.2) years and weight of 9.8 (1.8-25) kg were identified and included into the analysis. Endoscopic images were available for 22 children. All children underwent transglottic corticosteroid injection prior to any potential surgical treatment. A total of 22 patients (85%) improved following transglottic corticosteroid injection including 4 of 5 patients with a MCC = 3 and ENSI = 1 avoiding surgical intervention. None of the patients experienced a deterioration of clinical symptoms or endoscopic findings.

CONCLUSION

Transglottic corticosteroid injections as first-line treatment in children with severe post-endotracheal intubation trauma can successfully resolve symptoms and prevent invasive surgery.

Guidelines for Monitoring and Management of Pediatric Patients Before, During, and After Sedation for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures

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

Improvement of laryngoscopic view by hand-assisted elevation and caudad traction of the shoulder during tracheal intubation in pediatric patients

Pediatric patients have large heads and relatively small bodies, making it difficult to perform intubation even in the sniffing position. Therefore, this study was planned on the assumption that hand-assisted elevation and caudad traction of the shoulder (HA-ECTS) would compensate for the laryngoscopic view. In this observational study, 45 pediatric patients aged 0–36 months with an ASA physical status of I-III and scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled. HA-ECTS was defined as hand-assisted personalized traction in the upper and caudad directions with both hands under the lower cervical area. The POGO (percentage of glottis opening) score, MO (mouth opening), and LHS (laryngoscopic handling score) were compared before and after HA-ECTS. The median [range] POGO score was 30[10–50]% and 60[15–80]% before and after HA-ECTS, respectively (median difference, 20; 95% confidence interval [CI] 10 to 25%; P = 0.002). MO was 1.0[0.8–1.9] cm and 1.8[1.3–2.0] cm before and after HA-ECTS, respectively (median difference, 0.45 cm; 95% CI 0.25 to 0.60; P < 0.001). The ease of laryngoscopic handling was improved after HA-ECTS(P < 0.001). The application of HA-ECTS to pediatric patients younger than 3 years improved POGO score, MO, and LHS and could prove to be an assistive technique for tracheal intubation.

Choosing Wisely in pediatric anesthesia: An interpretation from the German Scientific Working Group of Paediatric Anaesthesia (WAKKA)

Inspired by the Choosing Wisely initiative, a group of pediatric anesthesiologists representing the German Working Group on Paediatric Anaesthesia (WAKKA) coined and agreed upon 10 concise positive ("dos") or negative ("don'ts") evidence-based recommendations. (i) In infants and children with robust indications for surgical, interventional, or diagnostic procedures, anesthesia or sedation should not be avoided or delayed due to the potential neurotoxicity associated with the exposure to anesthetics. (ii) In children without relevant preexisting illnesses (ie, ASA status I/II) who are scheduled for elective minor or medium-risk surgical procedures, no routine blood tests should be performed. (iii) Parental presence during the induction of anesthesia should be an option for children whenever possible. (iv) Perioperative fasting should be safe and child-friendly with shorter real fasting times and more liberal postoperative drinking and enteral feeding. (v) Perioperative fluid therapy should be safe and effective with physiologically composed balanced electrolyte solutions to maintain a normal extracellular fluid volume; addition of 1%-2.5% glucose to avoid lipolysis, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia, and colloids as needed to maintain a normal blood volume. (vi) To achieve safe and successful airway management, the locally accepted airway algorithm and continued teaching and training of basic and alternative techniques of ventilation and endotracheal intubation are required. (vii) Ultrasound and imaging systems (eg, transillumination) should be available for achieving central venous access and challenging peripheral venous and arterial access. (viii) Perioperative disturbances of the patient's homeostasis, such as hypotension, hypocapnia, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, and severe anemia, should not be ignored and should be prevented or treated immediately. (ix) Pediatric patients with an elevated perioperative risk, eg, preterm and term neonates, infants, and critically ill children, should be treated at institutions where all caregivers have sufficient expertise and continuous clinical exposure to such patients. (x) A strategy for preventing postoperative vomiting, emergence delirium, and acute pain should be a part of every anesthetic procedure.

Current evidence for the use of sugammadex in children

Sugammadex is a novel pharmacologic agent, which reverses neuromuscular blockade with a mechanism that differs from the commonly used, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Although sugammadex has not received approval from the United States Food & Drug administration in children, its use has already been reported to reverse neuromuscular blockade in several clinical scenarios in the pediatric population including the 'cannot intubate-cannot ventilate' scenario. To date, there remains limited data from prospective trials in the pediatric-aged patient. Anecdotal use has been reported for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade in difficult clinical scenarios such as children with neuromuscular diseases including myasthenia gravis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and myotonic dystrophy.

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

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

Ease and difficulty of pre-hospital airway management in 425 paediatric patients treated by a helicopter emergency medical service: a retrospective analysis

Background

Pre-hospital paediatric airway management is complex. A variety of pitfalls need prompt response to establish and maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation. Anatomical disparity render laryngoscopy different compared to the adult. The correct choice of endotracheal tube size and depth of insertion is not trivial and often challenged due to the initially unknown age of child.

Methods

Data from 425 paediatric patients (<17 years of age) with any airway manipulation treated by a Swiss Air-Ambulance crew between June 2010 and December 2013 were retrospectively analysed. Endpoints were: 1) Endotracheal intubation success rate and incidence of difficult airway management in primary missions. 2) Correlation of endotracheal tube size and depth of insertion with patient’s age in all (primary and secondary) missions.

Results

In primary missions, the first laryngoscopy-guided endotracheal intubation attempt was successful in 95.3% of cases, with an overall success rate of 98.6%. Difficult airway management was reported in 10 (4.7%) patients. Endotracheal tube size was frequently chosen inadequately large (overall 50 of 343 patients: 14.6%), especially and statistically significant in the age group below 1 year (19 of 33 patients; p < 0.001). Tubes were frequently and distinctively more deeply inserted (38.9%) than recommended by current formulae.

Conclusion

Difficult airway management, including cannot intubate and cannot ventilate situations during pre-hospital paediatric emergency treatment was rare. In contrast, the success rate of endotracheal intubation at the first attempt was very high. High numbers of inadequate endotracheal tube size and deep placement according to patient age require further analysis. Practical algorithms need to be found to prevent potentially harmful treatment.

Comparison of the TruView PCD video laryngoscope and macintosh laryngoscope for pediatric tracheal intubation by novice paramedics: a randomized crossover simulation trial

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the TruView video laryngoscope (TruView) facilitates pediatric endotracheal intubation (ETI) more quickly and safely than conventional Macintosh laryngoscope (MAC) in three manikin-based airway scenarios. This was a randomized crossover manikin study including 120 novice paramedics. The participants performed tracheal intubations using both TruView and MAC on a pediatric manikin in a control scenario (A), chest compression scenario (B), and chest compression cervical stabilization scenario (C). The sequence of scenarios was randomized. The primary outcome was time to intubation. Secondary outcomes were overall success rates, incidence of dental trauma, and ease of intubation. All intubation attempts were assessed by a trained assistant. The overall success rate was significantly higher with the TruView compared than the MAC in scenario B (100 vs. 81.7 %; p = 0.011) and scenario C (100 vs. 68.3 %; p < 0.001). The intubation time was significantly lower with the TruView than the MAC (18.5 vs. 24.3 s, p = 0.017, for scenario A; 21.6 vs. 25.7 s, p = 0.023, for scenario B; and 28.9 vs. 45.4 s, p < 0.001, for scenario C). Glottic view quality was better with TruView than the MAC in all scenarios, p < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

The TruView offers better intubation conditions than the MAC on a pediatric manikin in the control scenario, chest compression scenario, and chest compression scenario with cervical stabilization scenario. The TruView may be used to elevate the epiglottis for orotracheal intubation. Further clinical studies are necessary to confirm these initial positive findings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02289872.

WHAT IS KNOWN

•Prehospital pediatric intubation using a standard laryngoscope is varied and ranges from 63.4 to 82 %. What is New: •This is the first study showing efficiency of pediatric endotracheal intubation using the TruView PCD by paramedics in tree simulation scenarios. •TruView PCD offers better pediatric intubation conditions than the Macintosh laryngoscope.