Paediatric airway management: What is new?

Contrast of oropharyngeal leak pressure and clinical performance of I-gel™ and LMA ProSeal™ in patients: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Conflicting outcomes have been reported for the i-gel™ and laryngeal mask airway (LMA) ProSeal™ in children and adults during general anesthesia. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that yielded wide contrast outcomes between i-gel™ and LMA ProSeal™ were included in this meta-analysis.

METHODS

Two authors independently identified RCTs that compared i-gel™ with LMA ProSeal™ among patients receiving general anesthesia by performing searches in EMBASE, Cochrane, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Discussion was adopted to resolve disagreements. Data were counted with Review Manger 5.3 and pooled by applying weighted mean difference (MD) and rlsk ratio (RR), and related 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

A total of 33 RCTs with 2605 patients were included in the meta-analysis. I-gel™ provided a considerably lower oropharyngeal leak pressure [weighted average diversity (MD) = -1.53 (-2.89, -0.17), P = 0.03], incidence of blood staining on the supraglottic airway devices [RR = 0.44, (0.28, 0.69), P = 0.0003], sore throat [RR = 0.31 (0.18, 0.52), P<0.0001], and a short insertion time [MD = -5.61 (-7.71, -3.51), P<0.00001] than LMA ProSeal™. Compared with LMA ProSeal™, i-gel™ offered a significantly higher first-insertion success rate [RR = 1.03 (1.00, 1.06), P = 0.03] and ease of insertion [RR = 1.06 (1.01, 1.11), P = 0.03]. The gastric-tube-placement first insertion rate [RR = 1.04 (0.99, 1.10), P = 0.11], laryngospasm [RR = 0.76 (0.17, 3.31), P = 0.72], and cough [RR = 1.30 (0.49, 3.44), P = 0.60] between the two devices were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Both devices could achieve a good seal to provide adequate ventilation. Compared with the used LMA ProSeal™, the i-gel™ was found to have fewer complications (blood stainning, sore throat) and offers certain advantages (short insertion time, higher first-insertion success rate and ease of insertion) in patients under general anesthesia.

Comparison of Proseal LMA with i-Gel in children under controlled ventilation: a prospective randomised clinical study

Background

Supraglottic airway device is presently the most common modality of airway management in children for short surgical procedures. The i-gel is one such novel supraglottic airway device with a non-inflatable cuff. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of i-gel compared to LMA Proseal regarding oropharyngeal leak pressure, insertion time, ease of insertion, and fibreoptic view of larynx.

Methods

After obtaining ethical clearance and parental consent, 70 children aged 2–10 years, weighing 10–30 kg were randomised to receive LMA Proseal or i-gel for airway management. Data with respect to oropharyngeal leak pressure, insertion time, ease of insertion, number of attempts, and fibreoptic score were collected. The primary outcome was the oropharyngeal leak pressure with the two supraglottic airway devices measured by manometric stability.

Results

Demographic data were comparable between the two groups. The oropharyngeal leak pressure (LMA Proseal vs. i-gel, 20.51 ± 4.71 cmH₂O vs. 19.57 ± 5.71 cmH₂O), ease of insertion, number of attempts, and fibreoptic view score was similar between the two groups. The insertion time was faster with i-gel (22.63 ± 5.79 s) compared to LMA Proseal (43.26 ± 7.85 s).

Conclusion

I-gel was similar to LMA Proseal with respect to oropharyngeal leak pressure in children under controlled ventilation.

Frequency and characterization of the use of cuffed tracheal tubes in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units in Brazil

Objective

To identify the neonatal, pediatric and mixed (neonatal and pediatric) intensive care units in Brazil that use cuffed tracheal tubes in clinical practice and to describe the characteristics related to the use of protocols and monitoring.

Methods

To identify the intensive care units in Brazil, the Ministry of Health’s National Registry of Health Facilities was accessed, and information was collected on 693 registered intensive care units. This was an analytical cross-sectional survey conducted through electronic questionnaires sent to 298 neonatal, pediatric and mixed intensive care units in Brazil.

Results

This study analyzed 146 questionnaires (49.3% from neonatal intensive care units, 35.6% from pediatric intensive care units and 15.1% from mixed pediatric intensive care units). Most of the participating units (78/146) used cuffed tracheal tubes, with a predominance of use in pediatric intensive care units (52/78). Most of the units that used cuffed tracheal tubes applied a cuff pressure monitoring protocol (45/78). The use of cuff monitoring protocols was observed in intensive care units with a physical therapy service exclusive to the unit (38/61) and in those with a physical therapist present 24 hours/day (25/45). The most frequent cause of extubation failure related to the use of cuffed tracheal tubes in pediatric intensive care units was upper airway obstruction.

Conclusion

In this survey, the use of cuffed tracheal tubes and the application of a cuff pressure monitoring protocol was predominant in pediatric intensive care units. The use of a monitoring protocol was more common in intensive care units that had a physical therapist who was exclusive to the unit and was present 24 hours/day.

Airway devices in paediatric anaesthesia

Airway devices were first used in children since 1940 and thereafter an increasingly large number of paediatric airway devices have come into our armamentarium. To control and protect the airway in children during anaesthesia, in intensive care unit or in emergency department either tracheal intubation is performed under direct or indirect visualization of vocal cords with the help of laryngoscopes or video-laryngoscopes respectively or it can be done blindly or by using special instruments such as fiberoptic laryngoscope, lighted stylet or Bullard laryngoscope to name a few. Airway also can be maintained with the help of Laryngeal mask airways, oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways. Updating our information and knowledge regarding these developments is pivotal to our practice of paediatric anaesthesia. With a thorough search of books, MEDLINE, MEDNET, clinical trials.gov.in, this article aims at focusing and understanding a brief basis of paediatric devices and their use.

Benefits of Using High-Volume-Low-Pressure Tracheal Tube in Children Undergoing Congenital Cardiac Surgery: Evidence From a Prospective Randomized Study

BACKGROUND

In the past 2 decades, usage of high-volume-low-pressure microcuffed tracheal tubes in smaller children has increased. However, there is paucity of evidence of its usage in smaller children undergoing congenital cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to assess if microcuff endotracheal tubes in neonates and younger children undergoing congenital cardiac surgery is associated with better outcomes than uncuffed tubes.

METHODS

We carried out this single-center, prospective, randomized study between June and November 2016. Eighty patients were randomized into those receiving microcuff tracheal tubes and conventional uncuffed tubes. Primary outcome was stridor postextubation. Secondary outcomes measured included number of tube changes, volume of anesthetic gases required, and cost incurred.

RESULTS

The 2 groups were comparable in terms of baseline characteristics and duration of intubation. Incidence of stridor was significantly higher in conventional uncuffed tubes (12 [30%] vs 4 [10%]; P = .04) and so was the number of tube changes required (17/40 [42.5%] vs 2/40 [5%]; P ≤ .001). Tube change was associated with more than 3-fold risk of stridor (odds ratio = 3.92; 95% confidence interval = 1.23-12.43). Isoflurane (29.14 ± 7.01 mL vs19.2 ± 4.81 mL; P < .0001) and oxygen flow requirement ( P < .0001) and the resultant cost (7.46 ± 1.4 vs 5.77 ± 1.2 US$; P < .0001) were all significantly higher in the conventional uncuffed group.

CONCLUSION

Microcuff pediatric tracheal tube is associated with significantly lower incidence of stridor, tube changes, and anesthetic gas requirement. This leads to significant cost reduction that offsets the higher costs associated with usage of a microcuff tracheal tube.

Clinical performance of cuffed versus uncuffed preformed endotracheal tube in pediatric patients undergoing cleft palate surgery

Background:

Uncuffed endotracheal tubes are commonly used in children but due to several decade preferred in paediatric oral surgery. Due to lack of conclusive evidences in this regard, we have conducted this study to compare post-operative morbidity following use of cuffed and uncuffed endotracheal tubes in paediatric patients undergoing cleft lip-palate surgery.

Methods:

This randomised controlled trial was conducted on children aged 2 to 12 years.110 patients were allocated in two parallel groups using computer generated list of random numbers. Post operative extubation stridor, sore throat, time to first oral intake and regaining of normal voice were compared between two groups.

Results:

The incidence of sore throat was significantly more (P value > 0.005) in patients of uncuffed group compared to cuffed group. The time to first oral intake and time to regain normal voice were significantly earlier in cuffed group compared to the other.

Conclusion:

With standard care, preformed cuffed ET tube has shown reduced incidence of post operative sore throat. Cuffed group has earlier oral intake and normal voice regain compared to uncuffed group.

Paediatric ventilation treatment of acute lung injury in Nordic intensive care units

Background

Treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in children is largely based on extrapolated knowledge obtained from adults and which varies between different hospitals. This study explores ventilation treatment strategies for children with ARDS in the Nordic countries, and compares these with international practice.

Methods

In October 2012, a questionnaire covering ventilation treatment strategies for children aged 1 month to 6 years of age with ARDS was sent to 21 large Nordic intensive care units that treat children with ARDS. Pre‐terms and children with congenital conditions were excluded.

Results

Eighteen of the 21 (86%) targeted intensive care units responded to the questionnaire. Fifty per cent of these facilities were paediatric intensive care units. Written guidelines existed in 44% of the units. Fifty per cent of the units frequently used cuffed endotracheal tubes. Ventilation was achieved by pressure control for 89% vs. volume control for 11% of units. Bronchodilators were used by all units, whereas steroids usage was 83% and surfactant 39%. Inhaled nitric oxide and high frequency oscillation were available in 94% of the units. Neurally adjusted ventilator assist was used by 44% of the units. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation could be started in 44% of the units.

Conclusion

Ventilation treatment strategies for paediatric ARDS in the Nordic countries are relatively uniform and largely in accordance with international practice. The use of steroids and surfactant is more frequent than shown in other studies.

Airway management in Escobar syndrome: A formidable challenge

Escobar syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by flexion joint and digit contractures, skin webbing, cleft palate, deformity of spine and cervical spine fusion. Associated difficult airway is mainly due to micrognathia, retrognathia, webbing of neck and limitation of the mouth opening and neck extension. We report a case of a 1 year old child with Escobar syndrome posted for bilateral hamstrings to quadriceps transfer. The child had adequate mouth opening with no evidence of cervical spine fusion, yet we faced difficulty in intubation which was ultimately overcome by securing a proseal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) and then by intubating with an endotracheal tube railroaded over a paediatric fibreoptic bronchoscope passed through the lumen of a PLMA.