Comparison of Clinical Performance of I-gel and Fastrach Laryngeal Mask Airway as an Intubating Device in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The supraglottic airway device (SGD) was introduced as a breakthrough in airway management. The Fastrach emerged as the first commercially available intubating SGD, drawing extensive investigation. I-gel is a more recent device that has gained popularity, can be used as an intubating SGD, and replaced Fastrach in many institutions.

Designing and implementing a new icon-based difficult airway cart: a two-phase prospective qualitative improvement project.

Purpose: The difficult airway cart is essential for difficult airway management. Recognition of the importance of human factors in critical scenarios promoted the evolution of the difficult airway cart. Limitation to essential equipment, a structured layout, and proper labelling should be observed.

Achieving Competency in Fiber-Optic Intubation Among Resident Physicians After Higher- Versus Lower-Fidelity Task Training: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: The high-fidelity ORSIM (Airway Simulation Ltd) and the low-fidelity wooden-block fiber-optic task trainers allow users to familiarize themselves with the psychomotor skills required to manipulate the fiber-optic scope.

Methods: This single-center study aimed to compare residents' performance of fiber-optic intubation after 2 different types of task training. Twenty-four residents with experience of <8 fiber-optic intubations were randomized to either the ORSIM or a wooden-block task trainer.

Role of ultrasonography in an impalpable tissue larynx model during a simulated front-of-neck access scenario: a randomized simulation study.

Purpose: A large vertical incision is recommended when performing front-of-neck access in patients with impalpable neck landmarks during a cannot intubate-cannot oxygenate (CICO) scenario. We investigated the impact of ultrasonography on vertical incision size of a front-of-neck access on an ultrasound-compatible impalpable porcine larynx model.

Methods: Emergency medicine and anesthesia trainees were randomized to the Ultrasound (US, n = 21) and Non-Ultrasound (NUS, n = 21) groups.

Effects of prior exposure to a visual airway cognitive aid on decision-making in a simulated airway emergency: A randomised controlled study.

Background: Decision-making deficits in airway emergencies have led to adverse patient outcomes. A cognitive aid would assist clinicians through critical decision-making steps, preventing key action omission.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of a visual airway cognitive aid on decision-making in a simulated airway emergency scenario.

Complications of cricothyroidotomy versus tracheostomy in emergency surgical airway management: a systematic review.

Background: Airway guidelines recommend an emergency surgical airway as a potential life-saving treatment in a "Can't Intubate, Can't Oxygenate" (CICO) situation. Surgical airways can be achieved either through a cricothyroidotomy or tracheostomy. The current literature has limited data regarding complications of cricothyroidotomy and tracheostomy in an emergency situation.

Ultrasound Is Superior to Palpation in Identifying the Cricothyroid Membrane in Subjects with Poorly Defined Neck Landmarks: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

What We Already Know About This Topic: WHAT THIS ARTICLE TELLS US THAT IS NEW: BACKGROUND:: Success of a cricothyrotomy is dependent on accurate identification of the cricothyroid membrane. The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of ultrasonography versus external palpation in localizing the cricothyroid membrane.

Methods: In total, 223 subjects with abnormal neck anatomy who were scheduled for neck computed-tomography scan at University Health Network hospitals in Toronto, Canada, were randomized into two groups: external palpation and ultrasound.

Practice of Ultrasound-Guided Palpation of Neck Landmarks Improves Accuracy of External Palpation of the Cricothyroid Membrane.

Background: Ultrasonography can accurately identify the cricothyroid membrane; however, its impact on the subsequent accuracy of external palpation is not known. In this study, we tested the ability of anesthesia participants to identify the midpoint of the cricothyroid membrane using external palpation with and without ultrasound (US)-guided practice.

Methods: Following institutional ethics approval and informed consent, anesthesia participants consisting of anesthesia residents, fellows, and practicing anesthesia assistants underwent didactic teaching on neck landmarks.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) of the upper airway.

Airway management is a critical skill in the practice of several medical specialities including anesthesia, emergency medicine, and critical care. Over the years mounting evidence has showed an increasing role of ultrasound (US) in airway management. The objective of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the indications for point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) of the upper airway.

Ultrasound Improves Cricothyrotomy Success in Cadavers with Poorly Defined Neck Anatomy: A Randomized Control Trial.

Background: Misidentification of the cricothyroid membrane in a "cannot intubate-cannot oxygenate" situation can lead to failures and serious complications. The authors hypothesized that preprocedure ultrasound-guided identification of the cricothyroid membrane would reduce complications associated with cricothyrotomy.

Methods: A group of 47 trainees were randomized to digital palpation (n = 23) and ultrasound (n = 24) groups.

Cricothyrotomy training increases adherence to the ASA difficult airway algorithm in a simulated crisis: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Non-adherence to airway guidelines in a 'cannot intubate-cannot oxygenate' (CICO) crisis situation is associated with adverse patient outcomes. This study investigated the effects of hands-on training in cricothyrotomy on adherence to the American Society of Anesthesiologists difficult airway algorithm (ASA-DAA) during a simulated CICO scenario.

Methods: A total of 21 postgraduate second-year anesthesia residents completed a pre-test teaching session during which they reviewed the ASA-DAA, became familiarized with the Melker cricothyrotomy kit, and watched a video on cricothyrotomy.