Emergency tracheal intubation of patients lying supine on the ground: influence of operator body position.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of operator body position during emergency intubation of patients lying on the ground.


METHODS
This study was carried out in the prehospital setting by French mobile intensive care units. Two operator body positions (left lateral decubitus and kneeling) for emergency intubation of patients lying supine on the ground were compared in a observational prospective study. Each operator completed a questionnaire regarding conditions of intubation after patient completion.


RESULTS
The incidence of laryngoscopic difficulty was lower in the left lateral decubitus group compared to the kneeling group (11.1% vs 26.9% respectively; P < 0.01). The number of attempts required for successful intubation was (P < 0.05) higher in the kneeling group than in the left lateral decubitus group.


CONCLUSIONS
Emergency tracheal intubation of supine patients on the ground may be greatly facilitated by the use of the left lateral decubitus position of the operator.
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SAMU 93, CHU Avicenne, University Paris XIII, Bobigny, France. fadnet@compuserve.com
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016683:Supine Position / Q000502:physiology*