A survey of self-reported use of cricoid pressure amongst Australian and New Zealand anaesthetists: Attitudes and practice

We conducted a survey of Australian and New Zealand anaesthetists designed to quantify self-reported use of cricoid pressure (CP) in patients presumed to be at risk of gastric regurgitation, and to ascertain the underlying justifications used to support individual practice. We aimed to identify the perceived benefits and harms associated with the use of CP and to explore the potential impact of medicolegal concerns on clinical decision-making. We also sought to ascertain the views of Australian and New Zealand anaesthetists on whether recommendations relating to CP should be included in airway management guidelines. We designed an electronic survey comprised of 15 questions that was emailed to 981 randomly selected Fellows of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) by the ANZCA Clinical Trials Network on behalf of the investigators. We received responses from 348 invitees (response rate 35.5%). Of the 348 respondents, 267 (76.9%) indicated that they would routinely use CP for patients determined to be at increased risk of gastric regurgitation. When asked whether participants believed the use of CP reduces the risk of gastric regurgitation, 39.8% indicated yes, 23.8% believed no and 36.3% were unsure. Of the respondents who indicated that they routinely performed CP, 159/267 (60%) indicated that concerns over the potential medicolegal consequences of omitting CP in a patient who subsequently aspirates was one of the main reasons for using CP. The majority (224/337; 66%) of respondents believed that recommendations about the use of CP in airway management guidelines should include individual practitioner judgement, while only 55/337 (16%) respondents believed that routine CP should be advocated in contemporary emergency airway management guidelines.

A comparison of two supraglottic airway devices in general anaesthesia: baska mask® vs. I-gel®

Objective: The aim of this was to compare the Baska® mask and the I-gel® airway in paralyzed patients during general anaesthesia in terms of clinical performance, the risk of aspiration, and intraoperative and postoperative characteristics. Material and Methods: The two devices were compared in 100 paralyzed anesthetized adult patients. Primary outcomes of the study were to evaluate the characteristics of the airway devices within respect to the success of first insertion attempt, the insertion time, the ease of insertion, leak volume, and peak airway pressure. The blood staining on the mask, and the presence of gastric reflux or sore throat two hours postoperatively were evaluated. Hemodynamics, end-tidal CO2 and the peripheral oxygen saturation measurements were secondary outcomes. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in the criteria of first attempt success rate, ease of insertion, blood staining upon removal of the masks, gastric regurgitation, or sore throat two hours after the procedure. The insertion time was significantly longer for the Baska® mask compared with the I-gel® airway. The leak volume was significantly higher in the Baska® mask patients throughout the surgical procedure. The heart rate and mean arterial pressure measurements were significantly higher in the Baska® mask patients. Conclusions: Both the Baska® mask and the I-gel ® device can be used effectively for selected paralyzed patients under general anaesthesia. The insertion time was significantly longer for the Baska® mask compared with the I-gel® device.

Which is more effective for ventilation in the prehospital setting during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the laryngeal mask airway or the bag-valve-mask? - A review of the literature

Introduction Prehospital care providers are responsible for providing adequate ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Endotracheal intubation (ETI) is widely accepted as the 'gold standard' for airway protection and the preferred method for ventilation. However, most Australian paramedics are not trained to perform ETI. Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) and Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) are seen as adequate alternatives to ETI as recommended by the International Liaison Committee of Resuscitation (ILCOR). The objective of this study was to identify which airway device LMA or BVM (with OPA/NPA) is more effective in airway patency and ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the prehospital environment. Methods A literature search was conducted using medical electronic databases, MEDLINE CINHAL, EMBASE, Meditext, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Scopus. These databases were searched from January 1996 until the end of January 2010. Articles were included if the principal objective was to compare ventilation efficiency of the LMA against the BVM in the prehospital setting. References from articles retrieved were reviewed. Results There were 2937 articles located by the search. Of these, 30 articles met the inclusion criteria with twelve relevant to the prehospital environment. In the twelve prehospital studies, two involved the use of mannequins, four were retrospective, five were observational, and there was one a literature review. Conclusion The findings from this review suggest that the LMA is more effective at ventilations over time during CPR in adults, as there is less risk of gastric regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration. The BVM is quicker at performing the first ventilation but there is a loss of effectiveness over time. BVM is considered the best method for ventilating children and neonates.