Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 9, 2026

Endotracheal Intubation via Tracheotomy and Subsequent Thoracotomy in Rats for Non-Survival Applications
Published on: March 15, 2024
A single-centre case series assessing the Ambu(®) aScope™ 2 for percutaneous tracheostomies: A viable alternative to
Steven Reynolds1, Jason Zurba2, Laura Duggan3
1University of British Columbia, Vancouver;
Background:
Bronchoscope-assisted bedside percutaneous tracheostomy is increasingly common in the intensive care unit (ICU). Fiberoptic bronchoscopes (FOBs) are expensive, fragile and may be damaged in the busy ICU environment. The Ambu (®) aScope™ 2 is a disposable video bronchoscope with no suction port that may be an alternative.
Methods:
The present analysis was a single-centre, prospective, quality improvement series substitution of Ambu (®) aScope™ 2 for FOB during percutaneous bedside tracheostomy with a FOB readily available. Physicians could elect not to use the Ambu (®) aScope™ 2.
Results:
The Ambu® aScope™ 2 was used in 22 of 30 percutaneous bedside tracheostomies between September 9, 2012 and January 3, 2013. One conversion to an FOB occurred during the 22 procedures due to bleeding, resulting in a convfersion rate of approximately 5%. The rate of completion of the postprocedure questionnaire was 73% (16 of 22), with a mean 'ease of use' score of 8.19/10 (range 6/10 to 10/10) and a mean 'visualization' score of 6.1/10 (range 2/10 to 10/10).
Discussion/Conclusions:
Ambu® aScope™ 2 was a reasonable alternative to FOB in a selected group of patients for bedside ICU PDT. Use of this new disposable scope will depend on local factors, processing delays and cost.
Related Concept Videos
Tracheostomy: Procedure and Tubes
Tracheostomy tubes can be made of semiflexible plastic (polyurethane or silicone), rigid plastic, or metal, and they come in...
Tracheostomy Care I: Pre-procedural Steps
Required Equipment
The equipment necessary for tracheostomy care includes:
Tracheostomy Suctioning II: Procedure
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques
Tracheostomy Care II: Procedure
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene, and put on personal protective equipment: gown, gloves, mask...
Oxygen Delivering System III: Tracheostomy and T-piece
Tracheostomy
A tracheostomy is a surgically created opening (stoma) in the anterior part of the trachea. It is used to establish a patient airway, bypass an upper airway obstruction, simplify the removal of secretions, permit long-term...

