Assessment of the speed and ease of insertion of three supraglottic airway devices by paramedics: a manikin study.
BACKGROUND
Control of the airway is a priority during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and/or following a failed intubation attempt. Supraglottic airway devices provide more effective airway management than bag-valve-mask-ventilation (BVMV) and can be effectively used by non-anaesthetists.


METHODS
36 paramedic students were timed to ascertain how long it took them to place an Igel, laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or laryngeal tube airway (LTA) into a manikin. Following insertion, students were interviewed to see which device they preferred and why.


RESULTS
The Igel was consistently the fastest airway device, taking a mean of 12.3 s (95% CI 11.5 to 13.1) to insert, the LTA took a mean time of 22.4 s (95% CI 20.3 to 24.5) and the LMA 33.8 s (95% CI 30.9 to 36.7). 63% of students would choose the Igel as their preferred intermediate airway device, stating ease of use and speed of insertion as the primary reasons.


CONCLUSIONS
The ease and speed at which a supraglottic airway can be inserted means that it is a viable alternative to the use of the BVMV.
Castle
Nick
N
EMS, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. Nicholas.castle@ntlworld.com
Owen
Robert
R
Hann
Mark
M
Naidoo
Raveen
R
Reeves
David
D
D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000295:instrumentation; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005931:Glottis; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017214:Laryngeal Masks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016014:Linear Models; D008348:Manikins; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013019:South Africa; D013997:Time Factors