Two methods for teaching basic upper airway sonography.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Anesthesiology
• Ultrasound Training

Background:

• Improving the accuracy of ultrasound-guided airway structure identification is crucial for anesthesia procedures.
• Traditional methods may not be sufficient for comprehensive skill acquisition in sonoanatomy.
• Novel training tools are needed to enhance the proficiency of anesthesia residents and staff.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of hands-on gel phantom training versus instructional video methods.
• To evaluate the improvement in identifying airway structures using ultrasound.
• To assess the impact on anesthesia residents and staff members' sonoanatomy skills.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a simulation laboratory setting.
• Fifty-four participants (anesthesiologists and residents) were randomized into control, video training, or gel phantom training groups.
• Skills were assessed at baseline and follow-up (14-24 days) for identification of thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, cricothyroid membrane, and tracheal rings.

Main Results:

• Both gel phantom and video training methods demonstrated a significant learning effect compared to standard training.
• No statistically significant difference in overall airway structure identification success was observed between the video and gel phantom training groups.
• Skills retention was comparable between the two training modalities at follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Both low-cost airway gel phantoms and instructional videos are effective single-session training tools.
• These methods can enhance knowledge and skills for ultrasound identification of upper airway anatomy.
• Both approaches offer viable options for improving sonoanatomy proficiency in anesthesia personnel.