Insertion of six different supraglottic airway devices whilst wearing chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear‐personal protective equipment: a manikin study

Authors:
Open Access
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary: Six different supraglottic airway devices: Combitube™, laryngeal mask airway, intubating laryngeal mask airway (Fastrach™), i‐gel™, Laryngeal Tube™ and Pro‐Seal™ laryngeal mask airway were assessed by 58 paramedic students for speed and ease of insertion in a manikin, whilst wearing either chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear‐personal protective equipment (CBRN‐PPE) or a standard uniform. All devices took significantly longer to insert when wearing CBRN‐PPE compared with standard uniform (p < 0.001). In standard uniform, insertion time was shorter than 45 s in 90% of attempts for all devices except the Combitube, for which 90% of attempts were completed by 53 s. Whilst wearing CBRN‐PPE the i‐gel was the fastest device to insert with a mean (SD (95% CI)) insertion time of 19 (8 (17–21))s, p < 0.001, with the Combitube the slowest with mean (65 (23 (59–71))s. Wearing of CBRN‐PPE has a negative impact on supraglottic airway insertion time. You can respond to this article at http://www.anaesthesiacorrespondence.com

This publication has 28 references indexed in Scilit: