Securing the airway patency by firefighters with the use of CombiTube. A pilot data
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The protection of the airways with the use of vomer devices for ventilation is one of the elements of the procedure in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. One of the alternative ways to protect the airways from endotracheal intubation is the CombiTube tube. The aim of the study was to assess the ability to protect airway patency using CombiTube during simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by firefighters.
METHOD: This study was a prospective randomized crossover simulation study. The study included 56 firefighters who performed airway patency protection with the use of CombiTube during simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation with and without chest compressions.
RESULTS: The median duration of securing airway patency with CombiTube device during scenario without and with chest compressions was: 21 s (IQR; 14−25.5) vs. 21.5 s (IQR; 15−27), respectively. The vast majority of attempts to insert CombiTube resulted in the insertion of the device to the esophagus: 92.8% vs. 91.1% (with and without chest compressions, respectively). The insertion of CombiTube to the trachea was observed in 7.1% vs. 8.9% during scenarios with and without chest compression, respectively. Study participants assessed the easiness of performing the procedure at 19 points (IQR, 13−22) for scenario without chest compression, and 18.5 points (IQR, 14−21.5) for scenario with uninterrupted chest compressions.
CONCLUSIONS: Firefighters are able to secure the airway patency with the use of CombiTube tube after a short training. Compressing the chest during resuscitation does not prolong the procedure of maintaining the airway patency with CombiTube. The tip of the CombiTube tube is inserted into the esophagus in over 91% of cases.
Keywords: airway managementfirefighterprehospitalcardiopulmonary resuscitationmedical simulation
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