Airway management in simulated restricted access to a patient - can manikin-based studies provide relevant data?
2011

Airway Management in Simulated Restricted Access

Sample size: 20 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Anders R Nakstad, Mårten Sandberg

Primary Institution: Oslo University Hospital

Hypothesis

Can manikin-based studies provide relevant data for airway management in restricted access scenarios?

Conclusion

Supraglottic devices are superior to endotracheal intubation in scenarios with restricted access to a patient's airway.

Supporting Evidence

  • All anaesthesiologists secured an airway using each device within 60 seconds in optimal conditions.
  • In restricted access, 80% successfully performed endotracheal intubation.
  • Supraglottic devices had a significantly shorter mean time to secure an airway compared to endotracheal intubation.

Takeaway

This study shows that using special devices to help with breathing is better than traditional methods when it's hard to reach a patient.

Methodology

Twenty anaesthesiologists used different airway devices on manikins in scenarios with restricted and unrestricted access.

Potential Biases

Participants had limited experience with the iGel™ device, which may influence the results.

Limitations

The use of two different manikins may affect the results, and the training effect from repeated use of the same manikin was not randomized.

Participant Demographics

Twenty anaesthesiologists from the Air Ambulance Department, with varying experience levels.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p = 0.014

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1757-7241-19-36

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