#JanuAIRWAY Day 12. Awake Techniques (ft. expert contributions from @dr_imranahmad). This is a key skill for an airway manager. Here’s a #OnePager covering the basics of Awake Tracheal Intubation (ATI) and nasendoscopy. Let’s dive in… #JanuAIRWAY 1/11
Key = topicalization (if right, may not need sedation). Top tips:
- Know nerve supply CN V, IX & X.
- Block Ant.ethmoidal AND Sphenopalatine ganglion supply to the nasal septum #JanuAIRWAY 2/11
Often you don’t need high dose LA if in right spot – this video is @Vapourologist after only gargling instilagel. #JanuAIRWAY 3/11
These #OnePagers cover ergonomics and the basics of the flexible bronchoscope.
- Know your equipment: set-up, usage and limitations
- Two positions for scope handling: Bazooka (facing patient) or Statue of Liberty (standing at head end) #JanuAIRWAY 4/11
Ancillary equipment can make or break an awake intubation. Here’s a #OnePager covering the 3 main types. Those which aid:
- Oxygen delivery
- Drug delivery
- Scope delivery (oral airways) #JanuAIRWAY 5/11
There are many different recipes for ATI. Here’s some #OnePagers looking at some of the different drugs that can be used, some special circumstances with additional considerations and another #OnePager summarising the DAS approach to ATI conduct. #JanuAIRWAY 6/11
There are a lot of potential problems that can be encountered during ATI – these need to be planned for. Here’s some #OnePagers covering the basics of troubleshooting, complications and how to manage unsuccessful ATI. #JanuAIRWAY 7/11
Remember HFNO can help and a good knowledge of airway pharmacology is essential for awake techniques. Why not revisit our #OnePagers from #JanuAIRWAY Days 5 and 9.
Several indications for OLV, commonest are thoracic surgery & some oesophagectomies. Essentially three ways to achieve OLV - use of:
- Double lumen tube
- Bronchial Blocker
- Elective endobronchial intubation
Here are some #OnePagers covering the basics #JanuAIRWAY 2/9
The key physiological change is the creation of a large shunt – deoxygenated blood (which would normally be oxygenated), returns to the left heart resulting in hypoxaemia. #JanuAIRWAY 3/9
#JanuAIRWAY Day 13. Jet Ventilation – this is a bit more niche in anaesthesia / airway management, but fascinating. Here’s a #OnePager covering the basics. Let’s dive in… #JanuAIRWAY 1/8
2 modes of jet ventilation – low frequency (<60 jets/min) & high frequency (>60). Frequency determines device. 2 commonly used devices – Manujet (modified hand operated Sanders injector) or Monsoon (specialised jet ventilator). Here’s a some #OnePagers #JanuAIRWAY 2/8
Several different potential mechanisms to apnoic oxygenation during HFJV, including:
-Bulk flow
-Laminar flow
-Taylor dispersion
-Pendelluft
-Molecular diffusion
-Cardiogenic mixing derangedphysiology.com has a great article & this diagram #FOAMed #JanuAIRWAY 3/8
#JanuAIRWAY Day 11. The Aintree Intubation Catheter – an amazingly useful piece of equipment – every airway practitioner should be familiar with. Here’s a #OnePager. Let’s dive in… #JanuAIRWAY 1/5
Main function is as a stop-gap to maintain tracheal access & facilitate tracheal intubation through a supraglottic airway device (SAD) using a fibreoptic scope. They are Long, hollow, semi-rigid, powder blue, polyurethane catheters #JanuAIRWAY 2/5
To highlight: NEVER insert beyond 26cm. NEVER insufflate with an oxygen flow >2l/min … or just NEVER use for insufflation! #JanuAIRWAY 3/5
#JanuAIRWAY Day 10. The Cook Airway Exchange Catheter – it’s a useful piece of equipment, but one not everyone will be familiar with. Here’s a #OnePager. Let’s dive in… #JanuAIRWAY 1/6
Main function is as a stop-gap to maintain tracheal access & facilitate ETT exchange. They are long, hollow, radiopaque, soft-tipped tubes – types for use with single / double lumen tubes. #JanuAIRWAY 2/6
All users MUST be trained & knowledgeable of how to use such devices together with their limitations and dangers. The Gordon Ewing case makes for tragic reading – but highlights this point. Essential reading for airway practitioners.
🔗scotcourts.gov.uk/search-judgmen… #JanuAIRWAY 3/6
#JanuAIRWAY Day 9. High Flow Nasal Oxygen (HFNO). This has been a game-changer in recent years. Thank you A.Patel and S Nouraei for their amazing landmark paper on THRIVE! 🔗pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25388828/
Let’s dive in… #JanuAIRWAY 1/6
Oxygen consumption continues during apnoea, gradual loss of alveolar volume/reduction in pressure. If upper airway remains patent, gas can be drawn into lower airways and oxygenation can continue and delay desaturation. #JanuAIRWAY 2/6
HFNO: 1. Reduces heat and moisture loss from the airway 2. Decreases anatomical deadspace 3. Provides PEEP 4. Improves Oxygenation
#JanuAIRWAY Day 8. Capnography. This is one of essential pieces of monitoring equipment needed during airway management. But its presence isn’t enough, correct interpretation is vital. Let’s start with a #OnePager looking at the different waveforms. #JanuAIRWAY 1/10
Oesophageal intubation still occurs & EtCO2 = key tool to help prevent avoidable deaths such as Glenda Logsdail’s. Key message = flat or no trace indicates oesophageal intubation until proven otherwise #NoTraceWrongPlace #JanuAIRWAY 2/10