Toward the design of a tailored training course for birth assistance: an Ethiopian experience.

Simulation in healthcare has already demonstrated extraordinary potential in high-income countries. However, to date, few authors have explored the possibility of applying simulation-based training in African settings, highlighting the necessity of need-based training protocols capable of addressing economic, social, and cultural aspects. In this framework, this research investigates the main features of a simulation training course on umbilical cord care and placenta management should be considered effective and sustainable in an African healthcare environment. Local facilitators were identified as the best resources for defining course contents and providing technical lectures to mitigate cultural, linguistic, and social issues. For the training program, the design of a new low-cost medium-fidelity simulator was explored and a preliminary evaluation was performed. Finally, the propensity of 25 students to attend a simulation training course was investigated using a questionnaire. The attitude of the enrolled students was positive, endorsing the future introduction of simulation training into the educational offers of Ethiopian colleges.

Design and preliminary validation of a high-fidelity vascular simulator for robot-assisted manipulation.

The number of robot-assisted minimally invasive surgeries is increasing annually, together with the need for dedicated and effective training. Surgeons need to learn how to address the novel control modalities of surgical instruments and the loss of haptic feedback, which is a common feature of most surgical robots. High-fidelity physical simulation has proved to be a valid training tool, and it might help in fulfilling these learning needs. In this regard, a high-fidelity sensorized simulator of vascular structures was designed, fabricated and preliminarily validated. The main objective of the simulator is to train novices in robotic surgery to correctly perform vascular resection procedures without applying excessive strain to tissues. The vessel simulator was integrated with soft strain sensors to quantify and objectively assess manipulation skills and to provide real-time feedback to the trainee during a training session. Additionally, a portable and user-friendly training task board was produced to replicate anatomical constraints. The simulator was characterized in terms of its mechanical properties, demonstrating its realism with respect to human tissues. Its face, content and construct validity, together with its usability, were assessed by implementing a training scenario with 13 clinicians, and the results were generally positive.

Neonatal intubation: what are we doing?

How and when the forces are applied during neonatal intubation are currently unknown. This study investigated the pattern of the applied forces by using sensorized laryngoscopes during the intubation process in a neonatal manikin. Nine users of direct laryngoscope and nine users of straight-blade video laryngoscope were included in a neonatal manikin study. During each procedure, relevant forces were measured using a force epiglottis sensor that was placed on the distal surface of the blade. The pattern of the applied forces could be divided into three sections. With the direct laryngoscope, the first section showed either a quick rise of the force or a discontinuous rise with several peaks; after reaching the maximum force, there was a sort of plateau followed by a quick drop of the applied forces. With the video laryngoscope, the first section showed a quick rise of the force; after reaching the maximum force, there was an irregular and heterogeneous plateau, followed by heterogeneous decreases of the applied forces. Moreover, less forces were recorded when using the video laryngoscope.    Conclusions: This neonatal manikin study identified three sections in the diagram of the forces applied during intubation, which likely mirrored the three main phases of intubation. Overall, the pattern of each section showed some differences in relation to the laryngoscope (direct or video) that was used during the procedure. These findings may provide useful insights for improving the understanding of the procedure. What is Known: • Neonatal intubation is a life-saving procedure that requires a skilled operator and may cause direct trauma to the tissues and precipitate adverse reactions. • Intubation with a videolaryngoscope requires less force than with a direct laryngoscope, but how and when the forces are applied during the whole neonatal intubation procedure are currently unknown. What is New: • Forces applied to the epiglottis during intubation can be divided into three sections: (i) an initial increase, (ii) a sort of plateau, and (iii) a decrease. • The pattern of each section shows some differences in relation to the laryngoscope (direct or videolaryngoscope) that is used during the procedure.

Applied forces with direct versus indirect laryngoscopy in neonatal intubation: a randomized crossover mannequin study.

PURPOSE: In adult mannequins, videolaryngoscopy improves glottic visualization with lower force applied to upper airway tissues and reduced task workload compared with direct laryngoscopy. This trial compared oropharyngeal applied forces and subjective workload during direct vs indirect (video) laryngoscopy in a neonatal mannequin. METHODS: We conducted a randomized crossover trial of intubation with direct laryngoscopy, straight blade videolaryngoscopy, and hyperangulated videolaryngoscopy in a neonatal mannequin. Thirty neonatal/pediatric/anesthesiology consultants and residents participated. The primary outcome measure was the maximum peak force applied during intubation. Secondary outcome measures included the average peak force applied during intubation, time needed to intubate, and subjective workload. RESULTS: Direct laryngoscopy median forces on the epiglottis were 8.2 N maximum peak and 6.8 N average peak. Straight blade videolaryngoscopy median forces were 4.7 N maximum peak and 3.6 N average peak. Hyperangulated videolaryngoscopy median forces were 2.8 N maximum peak and 2.1 N average peak. The differences were significant between direct laryngoscopy and straight blade videolaryngoscopy, and between direct laryngoscopy and hyperangulated videolaryngoscopy. Significant differences were also found in the top 10th percentile forces on the epiglottis and palate, but not in the median forces on the palate. Time to intubation and subjective workload were comparable with videolaryngoscopy vs direct laryngoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The lower force applied during videolaryngoscopy in a neonatal mannequin model suggests a possible benefit in reducing potential patient harm during intubation, but the clinical implications require assessment in future studies. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05197868); registered 20 January 2022.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Sur les mannequins adultes, la vidéolaryngoscopie améliore la visualisation glottique avec une force plus faible appliquée aux tissus des voies aériennes supérieures et une charge de travail réduite par rapport à la laryngoscopie directe. Cette étude a comparé les forces appliquées sur la zone oropharyngée et la charge de travail subjective au cours d'une laryngoscopie directe vs indirecte (vidéolaryngoscopie) sur un mannequin néonatal. MéTHODE: Nous avons réalisé une étude randomisée croisée d'intubation par laryngoscopie directe, vidéolaryngoscopie à lame droite et vidéolaryngoscopie avec lame hyperangulée sur un mannequin néonatal. Trente spécialistes diplômés et résidents en néonatologie, en pédiatrie et en anesthésiologie y ont participé. Le critère d'évaluation principal était le pic de force maximal obtenu pendant l'intubation. Les critères d'évaluation secondaires comprenaient la force maximale moyenne appliquée pendant l'intubation, le temps nécessaire pour intuber et la charge de travail subjective. RéSULTATS: Les forces médianes appliquées sur l'épiglotte lors de la laryngoscopie directe étaient de 8,2 N pour le pic maximum et de 6,8 N pour le pic moyen. Les forces médianes appliquées lors de la vidéolaryngoscopie à lame droite étaient de 4,7 N pour le pic maximum et de 3,6 N pour le pic moyen. Les forces médianes appliquées lors de la vidéolaryngoscopie avec lame hyperangulée étaient de 2,8 N pour le pic maximum et de 2,1 N pour le pic moyen. Les différences étaient significatives entre la laryngoscopie directe et la vidéolaryngoscopie à lame droite, et entre la laryngoscopie directe et la vidéolaryngoscopie avec lame hyperangulée. Des différences significatives ont également été observées dans le 10e percentile supérieur des forces sur l'épiglotte et le palais, mais pas dans les forces médianes sur le palais. Le délai d'intubation et la charge de travail subjective étaient comparables entre la vidéolaryngoscopie et la laryngoscopie directe. CONCLUSION: La force plus faible appliquée lors de la vidéolaryngoscopie dans un modèle de mannequin néonatal suggère un avantage possible de réduction des lésions potentielles pour le patient pendant l'intubation, mais les implications cliniques doivent être évaluées dans des études futures. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05197868); enregistré le 20 janvier 2022.