title: Airway sonography in live models and cadavers.
abstract: Sonography using cadavers is beneficial in teaching and learning sonoanatomy, which is particularly important because imaging of the airway can be challenging due to the cartilaginous landmarks and air artifacts. In this exploratory study, we have attempted to compare the airway sonoanatomy of cadavers and live models. Our observations support the use of cadavers as teaching tools for learning airway sonoanatomy and practicing procedures involving airway structures, such as superior laryngeal nerve blocks, transtracheal injections, and needle cricothyroidotomy, before performance on patients in clinical situations. We believe this process will improve patient safety and enhance the competency of trainees and practitioners in rare procedures such as needle cricothyroidotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. btsui@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Ban
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tsui
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Walji
mesh_terms: D058109:Airway Management / Q000379:methods*; D000416:Alberta; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
keywords: airway assessment; airway examination; airway regional blocks; airway sonography; training