EO technique provides better mask seal than the EC clamp technique during single handed mask holding by novices in anaesthetised and paralysed patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bag mask ventilation (BMV) allows for oxygenation and ventilation of patients until a definitive airway is secured and when definitive airway is difficult/impossible. This study hypothesised that the EO (thumb and index finger form a O shape around the mask) technique of mask holding provides better mask seal with the novices compared to the classic EC clamp technique (thumb and index finger form a C shape around the mask). METHODS: Sixty patients participated in this double blinded, prospective, crossover study. The patients were randomly allocated to either EC or EO group. After adequate anaesthesia and neuromuscular blockade, a novice (experience of less than five attempts at BMV) held the mask with preferred hand with the allotted technique, while the ventilator provided five breaths at set pressure control of 15 cm H2O with one second each for inspiration and expiration. After recording the exhaled tidal volume (primary objective) for each breath for five consecutive breaths, the study was repeated with the other technique. Secondary outcome variables were minute ventilation, audible mask and epigastric leak. RESULTS: The tidal volume and minute ventilation were significantly better with EO technique compared with the EC technique (P = 0.001, a tidal volume difference of 46 mL and P = 0.001, a minute volume difference of 0.51 L). CONCLUSION: The EO technique provides better mask seal (superior tidal volumes) than the conventional EC technique during single-handed mask holding performed by novices in the absence of other factors contributing to difficulty in mask ventilation.

Critical appraisal of published literature.

With a large output of medical literature coming out every year, it is impossible for readers to read every article. Critical appraisal of scientific literature is an important skill to be mastered not only by academic medical professionals but also by those involved in clinical practice. Before incorporating changes into the management of their patients, a thorough evaluation of the current or published literature is an important step in clinical practice. It is necessary for assessing the published literature for its scientific validity and generalizability to the specific patient community and reader's work environment. Simple steps have been provided by Consolidated Standard for Reporting Trial statements, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and several other resources which if implemented may help the reader to avoid reading flawed literature and prevent the incorporation of biased or untrustworthy information into our practice.

E-O technique is superior to E-C technique in manikins during single person bag mask ventilation performed by novices.

Conventional E-C technique of mask holding is unreliable during single person bag mask ventilation (BMV) due mainly to leak around the mask and inexperience of the persons. In this manikin study, conventional E-C technique was compared with E-O technique during single person BMV both with experienced (n = 50) and novice (n = 50) volunteers. The E-O technique involved encircling the mask neck with the web between thumb and index finger while the other digits provided chin lift. Two independent observers recorded the chest expansion as 1 (nil), 2 (minimal), 3 (moderate) and 4 (good). For analysis ideal and average chest expansion were clubbed as acceptable. E-C technique in experienced volunteers showed acceptable results in 49 (31 + 18) occasions, while with novices acceptable is 39 (17 + 22). With E-O technique, expansion was acceptable in 47 (38 + 9) experienced volunteers, and acceptable in 46 (32 + 14) novices. (P = 0.003). In cross over analysis for experienced volunteers, similar chest expansion was obtained on 30 occasions with both techniques, E-C better than E-O on 8 and E-O better than E-C on 12 occasions. Novices had comparable results on 17 occasions, E-C better than E-O on 8 and E-O better than E-C on 25 occasions (P = 0.016). The conventionally taught E-C technique of single person BMV provides acceptable chest expansion on most occasions with experienced operators than novices. Novices should use E-O technique as the first choice for single person BMV. Both techniques may be used interchangeably when one fails.

Inexpensive video-laryngoscopy guided intubation using a personal computer: initial experience of a novel technique.

Video-laryngoscopy may provide an enhanced view of laryngeal structures compared to direct visualization. Commercial video-laryngoscopes are often expensive, limiting its adoption for routine use. We describe our initial experience using an inexpensive custom made device. Patients >15 years age, were randomly chosen, after informed consent, for video-laryngoscopy. A custom device easily assembled using an USB endoscopic camera, a conventional Macintosh laryngoscope blade size 3 or 4, and a personal computer was used. Patients with Mallampati class 1-3 were chosen. Video-laryngoscopy was recorded and reviewed. Twenty-four patients aged 16-68 years, of mean weight 58.46 ± 12.54 (40-86) kg were studied. The glottis could be visualized and intubation could be performed in all patients with 22/24 patients on first attempt. Mean duration of laryngoscopy was 22.17 ± 12.78 (7-59) s. Time taken for intubation, was mean of 28.58 ± 21.01 (9-89) s. Three patients with anticipated difficult airways could be intubated on the first attempt. Minor blood staining of the airway was seen in the video in two patients. Cormack-Lehane laryngoscopy grade visualized was 1 in 9/24, 2 in 15/24 patients. Percentage of glottic opening score was 62.29 ± 28.40 (20-100) %. Real-time video could be captured in all cases. The custom-made, inexpensive, video-laryngoscopy device is safe and reliable for clinical use. Real-time visualization and endotracheal intubation were successful in all patients, including those with anticipated difficult airway. Further, this device helps in archiving the video of intubation.

Agonal gasps of cardiac arrest victim can aid in confirming tracheal intubation using Umesh's intubation detector.

Several patients of cardiac arrest may be found in a state of agonal gasps that are of insufficient tidal volume and are not considered as a sign of life. However, this volume is sufficient enough to cause appreciable inflation and deflation of the reservoir bag of Umesh's intubation detector (UID) as evidenced in all 12 victims of cardiac arrest with gasping efforts in this study. Therefore, we conclude that the agonal gasps during cardiac arrest can reliably be used to confirm tracheal intubation using the UID device.

Anesthetic management of a child with corrected transposition of great vessels undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

We describe the successful anesthetic management of a 14-year-old child, a corrected case of transposition of great vessels in childhood and presently with residual atrial septal defect, peripheral cyanosis, and neurological deficit of lower limb presented for tendoachillis lengthening.

Assessment and confirmation of tracheal intubation when capnography fails: a novel use for an USB camera.

A 62 year old male with a right pyriform fossa lesion extending to the right arytenoid and obscuring the glottic inlet was planned for laser assisted excision. Direct laryngoscopic assessment after topicalization of the airway, showed a Cormack Lehane grade 3 view. We report a case where, in the absence of a fiberscope, a novel inexpensive Universal Serial Bus camera was used to obtain an optimal laryngoscopic view. This provided direct visual confirmation of tracheal intubation with a Laser Flex tube, when capnography failed to show any trace. Capnography may not be reliable as a sole indicator of confirmation of correct endotracheal tube placement. Video laryngoscopy may provide additional confirmation of endotracheal intubation.

Umesh's intubation detector (UID) for rapid and reliable identification of tracheal intubation by novices in anaesthetised, paralysed adult patients.

Oesophageal intubation can lead to life threatening complications if left undetected. Several devices and techniques are available to confirm tracheal intubation and for early detection of oesophageal intubation. This study was carried out to evaluate the utility of the Umesh's intubation detector device for rapid and reliable differentiation of tracheal from oesophageal intubation by novice users. In this prospective, double blind and randomised study, 100 healthy patients undergoing general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation received two identical size endotracheal tubes; one inserted into trachea and the other into the oesophagus. The Umesh's intubation detector was connected to one of the tubes randomly and a novice was asked to observe for inflation of the reservoir bag of the device while two chest compressions of approximately one inch each were given to the patient. Out of the total 100 tracheal intubations, 96 were correctly identified while the observers could not clearly conclude whether the tube was in trachea or oesophagus in the other four patients. Out of the total 100 oesophageal intubations, 99 were correctly identified. There were no complications related to the study. Umesh's intubation detector device can be used by novices for rapid and reliable differentiation of tracheal from oesophageal intubation in healthy adult patients.

Validation of the new intubation detector device: a manikin study.

This study was done to validate the utility of Umesh's intubation detector in detection of tracheal or oesophageal intubation in manikin using volunteers with different levels of experience in tracheal intubation (including novices). The Sim Man II, (Laerdal Medical AS, Norway) manikin was used. Two cuffed tracheal tubes of size 6.5 mm ID were used. One was passed into the trachea and the other into oesophagus. The device was connected to one of the two tubes as per randomisation table and three high quality chest compressions were performed. Each volunteer participated in the study twice. Their opinion regarding the tube position (in trachea or oesophagus or could not determine) was noted. A total of 50 volunteers participated in the study. Eleven of them had not observed intubation (novice), 29 had either only observed or had experience of <10 tracheal intubations (less experienced) and 10 had experience of >10 intubations or >1 year experience in tracheal intubation (experienced). Out of a total 100 performances, 99 were correctly identified. On one instance, a tube placed in trachea was incorrectly interpreted to be in the oesophagus by a novice. Umesh's intubation detector helps in rapid and reliable confirmation of tracheal intubation in manikin irrespective of the experience level of the assessor in tracheal intubation.