Management of the Unexpected Difficult Airway in Neonatal Resuscitation

Video-Recorded Airway Suctioning of Clear and Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid and Associated Short-Term Outcomes in Moderately and Severely Depressed Preterm and Term Infants

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate delivery room airway suctioning and associated short-term outcomes in depressed infants.

METHODS

This is a single-centre prospective observational study of transcribed video recordings of preterm (gestational age, GA < 37 weeks) and term (GA ≥ 37 weeks) infants with a 5 min Apgar score ≤ 7. We analysed the association between airway suctioning, breathing, bradycardia and prolonged resuscitation (≥10 min). For comparison, non-suctioned infants with a 5 min Apgar score ≤ 7 were included.

RESULTS

Two hundred suction episodes were performed in 19 premature and 56 term infants. Breathing improved in 1.9% of premature and 72.1% of term infants, and remained unchanged in 84.9% of premature and 27.9% of term infants after suctioning. In our study, 61 (81.3%) preterm and term infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit experienced bradycardia after airway suctioning. However, the majority of the preterm and more than half of the term infants were bradycardic before the suction procedure was attempted. Among the non-airway suctioned infants (n = 26), 73.1% experienced bradycardia, with 17 non-airway suctioned infants being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. There was a need for resuscitation ≥ 10 min in 8 (42.1%) preterm and 32 (57.1%) term infants who underwent airway suctioning, compared to 2 (33.3%) preterm and 19 (95.0%) term infants who did not receive airway suctioning.

CONCLUSIONS

In the infants that underwent suctioning, breathing improved in most term, but not preterm infants. More non-suctioned term infants needed prolonged resuscitation. Airway suctioning was not directly associated with worsening of breathing, bradycardia, or extended resuscitation needs.

Pharmacologic Adjuncts for Neonatal Tracheal Intubation: The Evidence Behind Premedication

Premedication such as analgesia, sedation, vagolytics, and paralytics may improve neonatal tracheal intubation success, reduce intubation-associated adverse events, and create optimal conditions for performing this high-risk and challenging procedure. Although rapid sequence induction including a paralytic agent has been adopted for intubations in pediatric and adult critical care, neonatal clinical practice varies. This review aims to summarize details of common classes of neonatal intubation premedication including indications for use, medication route, dosage, potential adverse effects in term and preterm infants, and reversal agents. In addition, this review shares the literature on national and international practice variations; explores evidence in support of establishing premedication guidelines; and discusses unique circumstances in which premedication use has not been established, such as during catheter-based or minimally invasive surfactant delivery. With increasing survival of extremely preterm infants, clear guidance for premedication use in this population will be necessary, particularly considering potential short- and long-term side effects of procedural sedation on the developing brain.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair in a Newborn: A Case Report

This case report details the emergency management and successful surgical repair of a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) in a newborn delivered by lower segment cesarean section. Despite immediate crying after birth, the neonate's distress was evident, with an Apgar score of 4, prompting an urgent referral to the Neonatal ICU (NICU). Diagnostic investigations, including ultrasonography and two-dimensional echocardiography (2D Echo), revealed associated anomalies, such as a patent ductus arteriosus, arterial septal defect, and a TEF. An anaesthetist was urgently involved due to postnatal desaturation, leading to challenging intubation and surgical repair performed under general anaesthesia, which involved separating the trachea from the oesophagus. Postoperative imaging confirmed the successful closure of the fistulous connection. This case highlights the significance of prompt diagnosis, collaborative management, and surgical intervention in optimising outcomes for neonates with complex congenital anomalies like TEF.

Neonatal airway management training using simulation-based educational methods and technology

Airway management is a fundamental component of neonatal critical care and requires a high level of skill. Neonatal endotracheal intubation (ETI), bag-mask ventilation, and supraglottic airway management are complex technical skills to acquire and continually maintain. Simulation training has emerged as a leading educational modality to accelerate the acquisition of airway management skills and train interprofessional teams. However, current simulation-based training does not always replicate neonatal airway management needed for patient care with a high level of fidelity. Educators still rely on clinical training on live patients. In this article, we will a) review the importance of simulation-based neonatal airway training for learners and clinicians, b) evaluate the available training modalities, instructional design, and challenges for airway procedural skill acquisition, especially neonatal ETI, and c) describe the human factors affecting the transfer of airway training skills into the clinical environment.

The Pediatric Bougie for the First Tracheal Intubation Attempt in Critically Ill Children

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Bougie use during emergency tracheal intubation has not been well studied in children.

METHODS

This was a 10-year observational study of pediatric intubations (<18 years of age) in the emergency department (ED) of an academic institution. Bougie training and use are standard in our ED, including for emergency medicine residents. Study data were collected by a combination of charts and video reviews. We compare first-attempt intubation success and procedural complications between pediatric patients with and without bougie use during tracheal intubation in the ED. In addition, we evaluate the independent association of bougie use with first-attempt intubation success using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

We collected data on intubation success and bougie use for 195 pediatric patients over more than 10 years. On the first tracheal intubation attempt, a pediatric bougie was used in 126 patients (65%). Median patient age was 5 years (interquartile range 1.7 to 9) in the bougie group and 1.7 years (interquartile range 0.2 to 5) in the no bougie group. Intubation was successful on the first attempt in 72% of intubations with a bougie versus 78% without a bougie (absolute difference -6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -19 to 6%); the adjusted odds of first-attempt success with a bougie were 0.54 (95% CI 0.24 to 1.19). A procedural complication occurred for 38% of patients in the bougie group versus 51% in the no bougie group (-13%, 95% CI -27% to 2%). Two neonates, one in each group, experienced a potential injury to the airway or lower respiratory tract.

CONCLUSION

In an academic ED where the bougie is commonly used, bougie use in children was not associated with procedural success or complications. Our study suggests that a randomized clinical trial is needed to determine the effect of bougie use during emergency pediatric intubation.