Two recent studies explored the emergency tracheotomy technique and the scalpel-bougie-tracheostomy technique as a neck rescue access for newborns and infants on a rabbit cadaver. Both studies lacked a key feature of real surgical access - bleeding during a true emergency. The study's objective was to comparatively assess the two techniques in a simulated environment with simulated bleeding and decreasing vital signs from the monitor like in real emergencies.
With ethical committee's approval the investigarors recruited for this cross-over trial pediatric anesthesiologists and intensivists. Emergency tracheotomy consists of four steps: vertical skin incision, strap muscles separation (2 Backhaus clamps), anterior luxation of the trachea with a 3rd clamp, and vertical puncture with tip-scissors of no more than 2 tracheal rings to insert the tube. The scalpel-bougie-tracheostomy involves separation of neck tissues to expose the trachea and tracheal incision both with a scalpel to insert the bougie to facilitate tracheal intubation. Participants were randomized to start either with emergency tracheotomy or scalpel-bougie-tracheostomy. They watched an instructional video and had four practicing attempts, followed by a fifth attempt which was assessed. Afterward, they crossed over to the other technique.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
1. The assistant places themselves with two preparation clamps at the head end of the table and assists with each hand placed lateral to the neck, so that the operating field is freely accessible. After the trachea or cricoid is palpated, a long median longitudinal skin incision of 2-3 cm is made from the cricoid caudally 2. The assistant uses straight clamps to pull the two edges of the skin incision apart dorso-laterally. In the event of major bleeding this maneuver should allow the blood to drain off dorsally and the view of the anatomical structures should be less impaired. 3. Layer by layer of the anatomical structures are cut through with the scalpel and tightened with the clamps accordingly. 4. Using a longitudinal incision, two to three tracheal rings are cut through distally to the cricoid 5. An 8 FR Frova catheter is inserted through the orifice into trachea. 6. A tracheal tube (ID 3.0 mm) is inserted over the Frova catheter to secure the airway permanently.
1. Orientational palpation and vertical midline skin incision followed by separation of the strap muscles 2. Exposure of the trachea and cricoid followed by anterior luxation of the trachea with a Backhaus towel clamp 3. Perform a vertical puncture with a tip scissors between the cricoid and 1st tracheal ring followed by a vertical incision of no more than 2 rings in length. 4. A tracheal tube (inner diameter 3.0 mm, cuffed) is inserted to secure the airway permanently.
University Hospital Bern
Bern, Switzerland
Performance Time
performance time between the rapid sequence tracheotomy technique and the scalpel-bougie tracheostomy technique.
Time frame: 2 min
rate of cricoid injuries
rate of cricoid cartilage injuries during procedure, that would preclude ventilation measured in %
Time frame: 2 min
Succes rate
succes rate in %
Time frame: 2 min
rate of thyroid injuries
rate of thyroid cartilage injuries during the procedure that would preclude ventilation, measured in %
Time frame: 2 min
number of tracheal ring damaged
number of damaged tracheal rings and perforation of the posterior tracheal wall during procedure
Time frame: 2 min
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