The esophageal obturator airway: a reassessment of use by paramedics.
A study was undertaken to determine the incidence of failures and complications of EGTA. The life history of 31 airways was followed. Ten failed prior to 5 usages. Paramedics successfully intubated 88% of the patients but experienced difficulties maintaining adequate airways in 15%. While the EGTA is a valuable tool in prehospital care, its utilization to the exclusion of endotracheal intubation should be carefully considered.
D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians; D004868:Equipment Failure; D004947:Esophagus; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009657:North Carolina; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods*