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Published on: July 14, 2023
Laryngeal tube suction II for difficult airway management in neonates and small infants
Bertram Scheller1, Richard Schalk, Christian Byhahn
1Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Management, Goethe-University Medical School, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. scheller@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Insights
The laryngeal tube suction II (LTS II) offers a 100% success rate for securing difficult pediatric airways when other methods fail. This device is recommended as a first-line option for emergency airway management in infants.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Airway Management
Background:
- Difficult pediatric airways pose significant challenges for clinicians.
- Supraglottic airway devices, like the laryngeal mask, have improved management.
- The laryngeal tube suction II (LTS II) is a newer supraglottic airway device.
Observation:
- The LTS II was used in 10 cases of difficult airway management in infants under 6 months.
- A modified insertion technique was employed for all cases.
- Ease of placement was reported by all users.
Findings:
- The LTS II demonstrated a 100% success rate in securing the airway.
- It successfully rescued airways when other techniques failed.
- All insertions were successful on the first attempt.
Implications:
- The LTS II's suction port allows for gastric tube placement and management of gastric contents.
- It is recommended as a first-line device for emergency airway management when direct laryngoscopy fails or is impractical.
- Clinical experience and familiarity with the LTS II are crucial for safe and effective use.
Objective:
Difficult paediatric airways, both expected and unexpected, present major challenges to every anaesthesiologist, paediatrician and emergency physician. However, the integration of supraglottic airway devices, such as the laryngeal mask (LM), into the algorithm of difficult airways has improved the handling of difficult airway situations in patients. A recent device for establishing a supraglottic airway is the laryngeal tube, introduced in 1999. We report on the successful use of the laryngeal tube suction II (LTS II) in securing the airway when endotracheal intubation or alternative mask ventilation has failed.
Methods:
The use of the LTS II in 10 cases of difficult airway management in neonates and infants <6 months was reviewed.
Results:
Use of the LTS II was associated with a high level of success (100%), often rescuing the airway when other techniques had failed. All insertions were successful on first attempt using a modified insertion technique. Placement was classified as "easy" by all users.
Conclusions:
The potential advantage of the LTS II is the suction port which allows gastric tube placement and subsequent egression of gastric contents. In emergency situations when direct laryngoscopy fails, or is too time-consuming because of anatomical abnormalities, we recommend the LTS II tube as the first-line device to secure the airway. As with all supraglottic airways, familiarity and clinical experience with the respective device and its insertion technique is essential for safe and successful use, especially in emergencies.
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